Old Fashioned Christmas

I wish that I used this stamp set more often since the images are wonderful. I'm going to make a point of using this set more next year when I'm making Christmas cards. As a matter of fact I have decided that I need to make Christmas cards each month so that I'm not so stressed out trying to get them all completed and mailed before the 10th of December. So you can expect to see a few Christmas cards every month from me.

This is the last Christmas card that I'm posting this year. Hope you all had a wonderful holiday and that everyone has a prosperous, healthy and happy 2012.

Supplies Used:
Stamps: Welcome Christmas
Paper: Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip, Bella Rose DSP
Ink: Cherry Cobbler, Crumb Cake
Accessories: Octagon Nestabilities Die, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, Chocolate Chip Satin Ribbon, Dimensionals

Stately Stags

I think this was one of my favorite cards that I made this year. I saw this card that was made using MDS but since I don't have MDS I created something similar using the stamps I own.

Supplies Used:
Stamps: Winter Post, Christmas Lodge
Paper: Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Ski Slope DSP
Ink: Crumb Cake, Soft Suede
Accessories: Stamp-a-ma-jig, Mat Pack, Paper Piercing Tool, Northern Frost Die Strip, Rhinestone Brad, Mini Jingle Bell, Cherry Cobbler Twine, Dimensionals

Ornament Snowman

I know I'm still posting my Christmas cards but only a couple more to post and then on to other things. The most difficult part of this card was making sure that the background paper with the snowman was positioned correctly behind the punched ornament. Another very simple and quick card.

Supplies Used:
Stamps: Christmas Greetings
Paper: Whisper White, Marina Mist, Unknown DSP
Ink: Marina Mist
Accessories: Ornament Punch, 1/8" Marina Mist Taffeta Ribbon, Northern Frost Die Strip, Mine Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Merry Wishes

Today I have two versions of the same card. One has a silver snowflake and the other has a night of navy snowflake. These cards came together very quickly and do not require extra postage to mail.

Supplies Used:
Stamps: A Tree For All Seasons, Lots of Thoughts
Paper: Whisper White, Night of Navy, DCWV Glitter Pack
Ink: Black, Night of Navy, Real Red, Creamy Caramel
Accessories: Snowflakes Embossing Folder, Northern Frost Die Strip, 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" Square Punches, Rhinestone Brads, Night of Navy Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals

Crumb Cake with Snowflakes

Another snowflake card with the same basic layout as my previous post. I changes it up a little and decided to see what the card would look like with a background of crumb cake card stock.

Supplies Used:
Stamps: All Year Cheer III
Paper: Whisper White, Crumb Cake
Ink: Versa Mark
Accessories: White Embossing Powder, Swirls Embossing Folder, Northern Flurries Decorative Strip, Crumb Cake Taffeta Ribbon, Pearls, Photo Corner Punch, Pinking Hearts Border Punch, Mini Glue Dots

White Christmas

I saw this card on Sandy MacIver's blog and had to make one. I changed a few things but kept the same basic layout.

Supplies Used:
Stamps: All Year Cheer III
Paper: Whisper White
Ink: Versa Mark
Accessories: Silver Embossing Powder, Swirls Embossing Folder, Northern Flurries Decorative Strip, White Taffeta Ribbon, Pearls, Photo Corner Punch, Pinking Hearts Border Punch, Mini Glue Dots

Aviary Christmas

I decided to challenge myself to make a Christmas card without using a traditional Christmas stamp set. I really like how this turned out. I stamped the birdcage and stand on white card stock using versa mark ink and embossed with silver embossing powder. To get the placement correct for my bird I used my stamp-a-ma-jig and stamped the bird using riding hood red ink. Once the main image stamped I added the branches and ribbon. The sentiment was adhered using dimensionals.

Supplies Used:
Stamps: Aviary, Best Yet
Paper: Whisper White, Riding Hood Red, Always Artichoke, Riding Hood Red DSP
Ink: Versa Mark, Riding Hood Red
Accessories: Silver Embossing Powder, MS Branch Punch, Oval and Scallop Oval Punches, Riding Hood Red Taffeta Ribbon, Mini Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Trio of Trees

I made two versions of this card. For the first card I used kiwi kiss card stock, ink and ribbon and for the second card I used pear pizzazz card stock, ink and ribbon. The only other difference between the two versions was how I did the "snow" under the trees. For the kiwi kiss card I used a two-way glue pen and dazzling diamonds glitter and for the pear pizzazz card I used frosted lace stickles. All other supplies were the same on both cards.

Supplies Used:
Stamps: Polar Party
Paper: Whisper White, Kiwi Kiss or Pear Pizzazz
Ink: Black, Real Red, Daffodil Delight, Kiwi Kiss or Pear Pizzazz
Accessories: Snowflake Embossing Folder, Circle and Scallop Circle Nestabilities Dies, Kiwi Kiss Striped Grosgrain Ribbon or Pear Pizzazz Seam Binding Ribbon, Two-way Glue Pen, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Frosted Lace Stickles, Glitter Pen, Dimensionals

Last Polar Bear Card

I have really enjoyed using this set making Christmas cards this year but this is the last polar bear card for I have for this year! The bears were stamped on crumb cake card stock in versa mark ink and then embossed with white embossing powder. I colored the bears using a blender pen and craft white ink and the remaining portions were colored using SU markers. The bears were layered on to marina mist, whisper white and pacific point card stock and I created a scallop border on the bottom portion of the pacific point card stock using the scallop border punch. I used the northern frost decorative strip and a piece of pacific point card stock for the snowflake and added that the to upper left corner using a rhinestone brad. The crumb cake card base was embossed using the snow burst embossing folder and then the bear image was mounted using dimensionals.

Supplies Used:
Stamps: Polar Bears
Paper: Whisper White, Crumb Cake, Marina Mist, Pacific Point
Ink: Versa Mark, Craft White, SU Markers
Accessories: Blender Pen, White Embossing Powder, Snow Burst Embossing Folder, Scallop Border Punch, Northern Frost Decorative Strip, Rhinestone Brad, Dimensionals

Another Polar Bear Card

I made several cards this year using the "new" Polar Bears set that I purchased from eBay. For this card the bear with chick was stamped on sahara sand card stock using versa mark ink and then embossed with white embossing powder. The bear was colored using a blender pen and craft white ink and the remaining items were colored using various SU markers. The finished image was then mounted to a piece of cherry cobbler card stock. I embossed the white card stock using the snow burst embossing folder and layered the embossed piece on cherry cobbler card stock. The sentiment was stamped on white card stock and punch out using the jewelry tag punch. I also punched a tag from cherry cobbler card stock. I wrapped cherry cobbler bakers twine around the card layer and attached the tags and tied a bow.

Supplies Used:
Stamps: Polar Bears, Cute Converse
Paper: Whisper White, Sahara Sand, Cherry Cobbler
Ink: Versa Mark, Craft White, Various SU Markers
Accessories: Snow Burst Embossing Folder, Jewelry Tag Punch, Cherry Cobbler Twine, White Embossing Powder, Blender Pen, Dimensionals

Polar Bear with Cocoa

I made two different versions of this card. The first one is very simple with no extra embellishments. I stamped the sentiment in real red ink and then added the snowflakes with versa mark ink and embossed them with white embossing powder. The bear was stamped with versa mark ink and embossed with white embossing powder. I used my blender pen and craft white ink to color the bear and various SU markers for the skates, scarf and cocoa mug.



For the second card I stamped the snowflakes with versa mark ink and embossed them with white embossing powder and stamped the bear in the same manner as above. For this card I did step it up a little by stamping the sentiment on the white card stock that has the bear layered at the top and then used the pinking hearts border punch for the bottom layer with the garden green card stock.

Supplies Used:
Stamps: Polar Bears, Merry, Sentiment (Darcie's)
Paper: Sahara Sand, Real Red, Garden Green, Whisper White
Ink: Versa Mark, Craft White, SU Markers
Accessories: White Embossing Powder, Blender Pen, Pinking Heart Border Punch, Dimensionals

Gift Giving Bear

I'm still making Christmas cards for both my husband and I to give to our co-workers. Anything that needed to be mailed was completed and mailed last week. I make about 100 cards or more for Christmas and it seems like the list gets longer every year. This is one that I made for co-workers. The bear was stamped in black ink on whisper white card stock and I used my nestabilities oval and scalloped oval dies for layering. The designer paper strip is some that I still have from the cutie pie pack.

Supplies Used:
Stamps: Polar Party
Paper: Whisper White, Bashful Blue, Marina Mist, Cutie Pie DSP
Ink: Black, SU Markers
Accessories: Oval and Scallop Oval Nestabilities Dies, Norther Frost Decorative Strip, Scallop Border Punch, Rhinestone Brad, Dimensionals

Penguins with Gifts

This is a quick and simple card that won't require any extra postage to mail. The penguins and gifts were stamped on whisper white card stock in black ink and colored using various SU markers. The designer paper is from the ski slope designer series paper pack.

Supplies Used:
Stamps: Polar Party
Paper: Whisper White, Real Red, Ski Slope DSP
Ink: Black, SU Markers

Medallion Tree

I was blog surfing (blurfing) for Christmas decoration ideas and came across the instructions and a video to create this tree. Fran Sabad has some amazing creations on her blog. While this tree does take some time to create the end result is amazing. I've made two of them so far and have one more to make before Christmas.

Supplies Used:
Paper: Old Olive, Chocolate Chip, Real Red, Old Olive DSP, Chocolate Chip DSP, DCWV Glitter Pack
Accessories: Score Board, Stylus, Spellbinders Scallop Circle Nestabilities Dies, Star Punch, Small Paint Can, Ribbon, Hot Glue

Embossed Vintage Ornaments

I made two versions of this card. The first one does not required extra postage to mail since there are no bows, brads, rhinestones or pearls and it is basically a one layer card. Each ornament was stamped in versa mark ink and then embossed with the various colors of embossing powder. To create the ornament hangers I used a ruler and a silver glitter pen.




For the stepped up version of this card all I did was add an organdy ribbon at the top. It is interesting how one small addition can change the look of a card.

Supplies Used:
Stamps: Tree Trimmings, Four the Holidays
Paper: Whisper White, Baroque Burgundy, DCWV Silver Glitter Ink: Versa Mark, Black
Accessories: Forest Green, Burgundy, Navy Embossing Powders, EK Success Parisian Border Punch, Burgundy Organdy Ribbon, Northern Flurries Sizzlits Die, Silver Glitter Pen

Teal Trees

A very simple card that comes together quickly with the use of Holiday Lounge DSP.

Supplies Used:
Stamps: Word Play
Paper: Whisper White, Taken with Teal, Holiday Lounge DSP
Ink: Taken with Teal
Accessories: Teal Velvet Ribbon from Flirty Ribbon Originals, Silver Cord

Polar Bears on Vellum

Here is another card I made using my "new" set called Polar Bears. I stamped the image on vellum card stock with versa mark ink and embossed with white embossing powder. To create the dimension on the polar bears I used a stylus on the reverse side of the image and with gentle pressure rubbed the stylus over the bear images only. Be sure to use the foam from you mat pack or a mouse pad because you want to have some give in the vellum to create the dimension. You are basically embossing the images.

Supplies Used:
Stamps: Polar Bears
Paper: Whisper White, Bashful Blue, Brilliant Blue, Vellum Card Stock
Ink: Versa Mark, Brilliant Blue, Real Red Accessories: White Embossing Powder, Swirl Embossing Folder, Stylus, Scallop Border Punch, Dimensionals

Polar Bear with Chick

This Polar Bears set has been retired for several years now but it is new to me. I purchased it as a new unmounted set on eBay and paid less for it (including the shipping) than I would have had I bought it new from SU. Just a quick and simple card that won't cost extra to mail.

Supplies Used:
Stamps: Polar Bears
Paper: Sahara Sand, Real Red, Dashing DSP
Ink: Versa Mark, Real Red, Sahara Sand, Chocolate Chip, Craft White
Accessories: White Embossing Powder, Blender Pen, Dimensionals

Shadow Box Collage

There are various shadow box collage artists that inspired this creation. I made this for a co-worker of mine. She received her master's degree in May and she finally obtained a great job in Philadelphia and is loving it. Almost everything I used to create this was a Stampin' Up product. It turned out better than I thought and it has inspired me to create more of them to give as holiday gifts.

Snowflakes and Crumb Cake

I'm going to try and post cards and/or projects that I have created over the past couple of weeks but I'm also going to keep the chatter to a minimum and get right to the projects. I'll give a supply list but I won't go into to much detail on the creation. If you would like to know more please leave me a message in the comments section and I'll edit or reply as needed.

Now, on to today's post...I love the look of snowflakes, white craft ink and crumb cake card stock. This card could easily be mass produced by eliminating the scallop trim border around the stamped sentiment.




Supplies Used:
Paper: Whisper White, Crumb Cake
Ink: Craft White
Stamps: Block Party
Accessories: Snowflakes Embossing Folder, White Embossing Powder, Scallop Trim Corner and Border Punches, Large Snowflake Punch, Martha Stewart Twig Punch, Latte Button, Twill Tape, Linen Thread, Mini Glue Dots

Sparkly Trees

Sorry it has been so long since my last post. Time has just gotten away from me but I have been busy making Christmas cards. I'm going to keep the chatter to a minimum and get right to the cards. I'm posting 2 cards today using the same basic elements but one of them is a little more involved than the other. The first card is a standard A2 card with no stamping involved.


Supplies Used:
Paper: Very Vanilla, Old Olive, K&Company BW Peppermint Twist Pad, DCWV Glitter Pack
Accessories: EK Success Tree Punch, Star Punch, Scallop Border Punch, Dew Drops, Very Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon, Mini Glue Dots, Paper Piercing Tool, Dimensionals

The second card is a circle easel card using the same sparkly trees but instead of a star at the top I used a small snowflake punch and gold paper and then I added a rhinestone in the center. The circles and scallop circles were all cut using nestabilities dies.


Supplies Used:
Paper: Very Vanilla, Pear Pizzazz, DCWV Glitter Pack and Metalic Pack
Ink: Pear Pizzazz
Stamps: Best Yet
Accessories: Nestabilities Circles and Scallop Circles Dies, Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Snowflakes Embossing Folder, EK Success Tree Punch, Small Snowflake Punch, Rhinestones, Pear Pizzazz Ribbon, Mini Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Wedding Collage

After seeing this collage created by Connie Tumm, I immediately knew that I want to give something similar to my nephew and his wife. The wedding colors were purple and silver and the invitations were very similar to the DCWV metallic paper so that was my starting point for colors. The square to the right of the silhouette couple is a part of their invitation with their initials in it and I just added a small pearl accent in the center. I absolutely love how this turned out. There are so many elements that were used to create this I can't remember them all. The finished piece is framed in a black shadow box frame that I picked up at Michaels or Joann's. It came in a set of 3 frames. I couldn't get a good picture of it in the frame because of the glass.

Elegant Couple

My husband and I attended a wedding for our nephew last week and this was the card we gave the happy couple. The couple are both in the Navy and have been legally married since February 12th of this year but wanted to have a ceremony and reception with family and friends. They asked my husband to be the officiant and he happily obliged.

When I saw this Inkadinkado stamp set at Joann's I had to have it. I love the silhouette image of the couple. I began with a piece of perfect plum card stock measuring 9 1/2" x 6 1/2" and scored it at 4 3/4" to create a card measuring 4 3/4" x 6 1/2". I embossed some shimmery white card stock that measured 4 1/2" x 3 1/4" using the elegant lines embossing folder and another piece of shimmery white card stock that measured 4 1/2" x 3" using the dots embossing folder and layered them on pale plum card stock measuring 4 5/8" x 6 3/8". A length of white taffeta ribbon was tied around this layer and then adhered to the card base.

The image of the couple was stamped on shimmery white card stock in versa mark ink and embossed with black embossing powder. Once I had the couple stamped and embossed I centered the sentiment below that image and stamped and embossed that too. The couple image was layered on a piece of perfect plum card stock and adhered to the card base using dimensionals. I added some pearls to the circles on the elegant lines embossed image and added more sparkle to the bride's dress using frost white stickles.

Supplies Used: Paper: Shimmery White, Pale Plum, Perfect Plum; Stamps: Inkadinkado Wedding; Ink: Versa Mark; Other: Black Embossing Powder, Elegant Lines Embossing Folder, Dots Embossing Folder, White Taffeta Ribbon, Pearls, Frost White Stickles, Dimensionals

Lucky You

This was the card I gave to a co-worker and friend of mine who recently celebrated his 52nd birthday. He enjoys going to the casino and I thought this card would be appropriate for him. A piece of Jackpot DSP was adhered to real red card stock and then adhered to the very vanilla card base. A strip of real red card stock had one edge punched using the pinking hearts border punch and a different strip of Jackpot DSP was layered onto the real red strip and then added to the card front. The dice were created using 1" squares of real red card stock adhered to 1 1/8" squares of black card stock. The dots on the dice were created from circles punched using the crop-a-dile and very vanilla card stock. The sentiments were stamped on very vanilla card stock in real red ink and layered on real red and black card stock then attached to the card front using dimensionals.

Supplies Used: Paper: Very Vanilla, Black, Real Red, Jackpot DSP; Ink: Real Red; Stamps: Afterthoughts, A Little Birdie Told Me; Other: Pinking Hearts Border Punch, Crop-a-Dile, Dimensionals

Confidence and Dreams

I saw this card on Splitcoaststampers which is what inspired this card for a co-worker of mine who completed her master's degree in May and moved to a new job in Philadelphia. The flip flop images were stamped in black ink on a strip of white card stock and colored using SU markers. The stamped images were layered on a strip of melon mambo card stock that had the top edge punched using the pinking hearts border punch. A strip of melon mambo pom pom trim was attached to the bottom edge using tombow multi-purpose adhesive. The sentiment was stamped on white card stock using bermuda bay ink and the word "direction" was stamped on a scrap piece of white card stock using melon mambo ink and layered on a piece of melon mambo card stock then attached to the main sentiment with a dimensional. The additional pair of flip flops were stamped, colored, cut out and adhered to a layer of black card stock to create a shadow effect. A circle was punched from melon mambo card stock using the crop-a-dile, attached to the flip flops and a pearl was added to the circles center.

Supplies Used: Paper: Whisper White, Black, Melon Mambo, Thoroughly Modern DSP; Ink: Black, Bermuda Bay, Melon Mambo; Stamps: Sunny Fun, Word Play; Other: Pinking Hearts Border Punch, Melon Mambo Pom Pom Trim, Pearls, Dimensionals

Fall Berries

Just a quick and simple fall birthday card. The image was stamped in black on very vanilla card stock, colored with markers and then the berries were highlighted with a white gel pen. The stamped image was adhered to a layer of peach parfait and then dusty durango. The dusty durango card stock was punched along one edge using a border punch. I kept the layout simple because I wanted the image to really stand out.

Supplies Used: Paper: Very Vanilla, Peach Parfait, Dusty Durango; Ink: Black, SU Markers; Stamps: Oh So Lovely, Teeny Tiny Wishes; Other: EK Success Parisian Border Punch, Word Window Punch, Modern Label Punch, White Gel Pen, Crystal Effects, Dimensionals

Shabby Chic Flower

The challenge: A Costume Party - "disguise" yourself in a stamping style that is not your own.

I've always liked the look of the shabby chic/vintage type cards but shabby chic is not my style and since it took me three days to complete this card that more than proved it to me. I really stepped out of my comfort zone for this challenge, guess that's why its called a challenge. All of the layers were distressed using the distressing tool that comes with the portable cutter from SU. Once I had all of the layers distressed I used crumb cake ink to give it more depth and to add to the distressed/worn look. The flower was created using vellum that was folded into multiple layers so it was easier to punch and I only had to punch out the flowers twice to give me enough layers. I used the fancy flower punch for the main flower and the 5 petal flower punch for the leaves. The flowers were inked with so saffron and the leaves were inked with old olive. Once the vellum was dry each piece was crumpled to give it a worn/aged look, layered and held together with a small brad. I tied a linen thread bow to the button and attached it to the flower using mini glue dots. Most of the cards that I've seen in the shabby chic style have some sort of lace or ribbon but I didn't have anything that looked right so I created my own lace look using some punches and very vanilla card stock. I started laying things out and felt that something was missing so I cut some swirls out of so saffron card stock using the scribbles/swirls die and added them to my layout until I was satisfied with how it looked and then I began adhering the elements together. The card base is a standard A2 card in so saffron card stock layered with bashful blue and Le Jardin DSP. The medallion chain (lace) was added to the top and bottom edges of so saffron card stock with the abstract flower chain (lace) layered on top. The sentiment was stamped in black ink on very vanilla card stock, layered on bashful blue card stock and attached with dimensionals and then the entire piece was attached to the card base. The swirls were glued under the lace edges and the flower was attached with dimensionals. I attached the leaf straight pin making sure that the sharp end was pierced through the dimensional and added the pearls.

Supplies Used: Paper: Very Vanilla, So Saffron, Bashful Blue, Le Jardin DSP, White Vellum; Ink: Black, So Saffron, Old Olive, Crumb Cake; Stamps: Ageless Adornment; Other: Fancy Flower Punch, 5 Petal Flower Punch, EK Success Medallion Chain and Abstract Flower Chain Punches, Sizzix Sizzlits Scribbles/Swirls Die, Distressing Tool, Linen Thread, Soft Subtles Button, Leaf Straight Pin, Pearls, Brad, Mini Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Christmas Lodge

The Challenge: Frilly Paper Ribbon

My ribbon isn't exactly frilly but it is made from paper. I used a strip of designer paper that I scored and folded to create pleats. There is a tutorial on splitcoast here. I used very vanilla and garden green card stock with the top note die and then stamped the sentiment in garden green ink on the very vanilla piece that had the edge trimmed from it. The stamped sentiment was then layered over the garden green top note die cut. The lodge was stamped in garden green ink on old olive card stock and then the top note sentiment was added. I attached the pleated paper ribbon and tied the metallic satin ribbon around the pleated paper adding a button so that I could tie a bow. The snow was highlighted with a Gelly Roll glitter pen for some added sparkle.

Supplies Used: Paper: Very Vanilla, Old Olive, Garden Green, DSP Unknown; Ink: Garden Green; Stamps: Christmas Lodge; Other: Top Note Die, Old Olive Button, Metallic Green Satin Ribbon, Gelly Roll Glitter Pen

Essentials of Happiness

The challenge: Words of Encouragement - focal point should be a word, quote or sentiment of encouragement. I combined the HYCCT challenge with a sketch challenge for this card. I stamped the sentiment on very vanilla card stock in black ink and then colored the leaves and stem. The designer paper is called autumn traditions and of course it is now discontinued and it is also what I used to pick the colors from. I kept things very muted and didn't use the brighter red or purple. Once I had the card layout set it needed a little more color and that is why I decided to use the yellow gold ribbon.

Supplies Used: Paper: Very Vanilla, Sahara Sand, Always Artichoke, Autumn Traditions DSP; Ink: Black, River Rock, Mellow Moss, Always Artichoke; Stamps: Sidekick Sayings; Other: EK Success 3/8" Ribbon Border Punch, 1/4" Yellow Gold Grosgrain Ribbon, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Dimensionals

Sparkly Pink Trees

The challenge: Create a Christmas/Winter/Holiday card using any shade of pink as one of the primary colors in your color scheme. I just recently bought this Christmas tree punch and decided to create some sparkly pink trees. No stamping on the card at all. This was a very quick and easy card.

Supplies Used: Paper: Whisper White, Regal Rose, DCWV Glitter Pack, Brenda Walton Peppermint Twist Mat Pad; Other: EK Success Christmas Tree Punch, Nestabilities Circle and Scallop Circle Dies, Scallop Border Punch, Snowflake Embossing Folder, Fantasy Rose Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals

A Happy Hello

I decided to pull this set out and try watercoloring. I don't often use watercoloring on my cards but this set just calls out to be watercolored. I began by stamping the image onto watercolor paper using black staz-on ink. To color the image I used Stampin' Up watercolor pencils and an aqua painter. I didn't let the paper get to wet and waited to be sure an area was dry before adding more color. The image was mounted to a piece of yoyo yellow card stock and adhered to the card base of yoyo yellow that has a layer of very vanilla card stock that was embossed using the framed tulips embossing folder.

Supplies Used: Paper: Watercolor, Very Vanilla, Yoyo Yellow; Ink: Black Staz-on; Stamps: Friendship Grows, All Year Cheer I; Other: SU Watercolor Pencils, Aqua Painter, Framed Tulips Embossing Folder

Bachelor Buttons

This is a card to thank a caregiver and I kept it very clean and simple. The blossoms were colored with elegant eggplant, lovely lilac and almost amethyst markers and the stem was colored with an old olive marker. I used my stamp-a-ma-jig to help with the placement of the flowers. Once the flowers were stamped I added the triple layers of card stock in almost amethyst and lovely lilac that had the bottom edges punched using the scallop border punch. The sentiment was stamped using lovely lilac ink.

Supplies Used: Paper: Very Vanilla, Almost Amethyst, Lovely Lilac; Ink: Elegant Eggplant, Lovely Lilac, Almost Amethyst, Old Olive Markers; Stamps: More Petal Prints, Thanks for Caring; Other: Stamp-a-ma-jig, Scallop Border Punch

Buzzin' By

The challenge was to make a project that features bees, a bee-friendly scene (preferably with bees present), or the color yellow! I decided to create a bee-friendly scene and combined two stamp sets. The grass background was stamped on very vanilla card stock with certainly celery ink, layered onto almost amethyst card stock and attached to a card base of lovely lilac. I stamped the hive on more mustard card stock using black ink and then highlighted it with a more mustard and close to cocoa markers. I stamped the "hive sweet hive" on very vanilla card stock in black ink, cut it out, adhered it to the hive and then attached the hive to the card front using dimensionals. The honey pot was stamped in black ink on very vanilla card stock, colored with almost amethyst, more mustard and close to cocoa markers and then cut out and adhered to the card front with dimensionals. Each of the bees were stamped on very vanilla card stock, colored with markers, cut out using paper snips and added to the card front using dimensionals. I used the trio flower punch with almost amethyst and lovely lilac card stock for the flowers, added pearls to the centers and attached to the card front with dimensionals. The sentiment was stamped in black ink on very vanilla card stock and layered on lovely lilac card stock. I used a 1" circle punch to create the rounded end on the sentiment and layer. I used crystal effects on the honey pot and a gelly roll glitter pen on the bees wings.

Supplies used: Paper: Very Vanilla, Almost Amethyst, Lovely Lilac, More Mustard; Ink: Black, Certainly Celery, Various SU Markers; Stamps: Just Buzzin' By, Inspired by Nature; Other: Trio Flower Punch, Pearls, Gelly Roll Glitter Pen, Crystal Effects, Dimensionals

Chocolate Truffles

The challenge was to "find your happy place". Since I couldn't come up with a "happy place" I chose to create a card of something that makes me happy and that would be chocolate. In my opinion the best chocolate is dark chocolate and the darker it is the more I like it. I stamped the images twice, first in creamy caramel (3 times) then again in chocolate chip (3 times) and cut each section out. The images were adhered to the whisper white layer using dimensionals. To create the pink flower I punch 3 circles using the crop-a-dile and cameo coral card stock then added the swirl with a white gel pen. The pink flowers were adhered with mini glue dots. The sentiment was stamped in chocolate chip ink on whisper white card stock and layered to a piece of chocolate chip card stock. The various layers consist of the tab punch and creamy caramel card stock, large oval and cameo coral card stock and finally a 2 1/4" circle in chocolate chip card stock.

Supplies Used: Paper: Whisper White, Creamy Caramel, Cameo Coral, Chocolate Chip, DCWV Background Paper; Ink: Chocolate Chip, Creamy Caramel, Cameo Coral, Old Olive; Stamps: Oh So Sweet; Other: Crop-a-dile, Large Oval Punch, Tab Punch, 2 1/4" Circle Punch, White Gel Pen, Mini Glue Dots, Dimensionals

Riot of Petals Tile

I'm almost caught up with the HYCCT challenges. I combined the HYCCT challenge of using 2 sizes of any shapes and the ways to use it challenge of faux tile and the color pink. I chose to use squares for the shape challenge and scored a 5" square of very vanilla card stock both vertically and horizontally at 1" inch intervals to create the faux tile. The riot of petals background stamp was inked in black and stamped onto the scored card. I used markers in various shades of pinks, greens and brown to color the image. Once the image was colored I used crumb cake ink, a sponge dauber and pieces of scrap paper (to mask off each square) to add some depth and shading to each of the squares. Since there was some bleeding of the ink in the score lines I used a white gel pen to give more definition to each square. The faux tile stamped piece was adhered to a 5 1/8" square of melon mambo card stock, ribbon was added and then adhered to a 5 1/4" square card base in pink pirouette card stock. The sentiment was stamped in melon mambo ink and punched out with a 1 1/4" square punch then layered onto a 1 3/8" piece of melon mambo card stock and a 1 1/2" piece of pink pirouette card stock. The sentiment was attached using dimensionals. This was a very labor intensive card but it is being donated to a great cause and I love the final look.Supplies Used: Paper: Very Vanilla, Melon Mambo, Pink Pirouette; Stamps: Riot of Petals, Best Yet; Ink: Black, Various SU Markers; Other: White Gel Pen, Light Pink Grosgrain Ribbon, Dimensionals

Strawberry Ice Cream Sundae

Another post today since I'm still trying to catch up on the HYCCT challenges. The challenge titled "Treat Yourself" was to create an edible treat and to make it pink. My first thought was to create a cupcake with pink frosting but when I went looking through my stamps I found this ice cream sundae stamp and decided to go with it. I also incorporated the free for all challenge (triangle flap fold) in this card. The designer paper is some that I've had in my stash and it seemed to go well with the card I had in mind. The instructions on making the triangle flap fold card can be found here. I stamped the ice cream sundae image using black ink onto a 1 7/8" square of whisper white card stock. I then stamped the ice cream portion and the cherry on a piece of scrap whisper white card stock in black ink. All of the images were colored using markers and the cherry and ice cream scoop portion were cut out and mounted to the main image using dimensionals. The stamped image was mounted to a 2" square of pink pirouette card stock. To create the pinking hearts square, I started with a 2 7/8" square of pretty in pink card stock and punched around the square using the pinking hearts corner and border punches. Once all of the punching was completed I ended up with a 2 3/8" square which was mounted to a 2 1/2" square of chocolate chip card stock. It's hard to see in the picture but I did add crystal effects to the glass portion on the image.

Supplies Used: Paper: Whisper White, Pink Pirouette, Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip, Loves Me DSP; Stamps: Goody Goody Gumdrops; Ink: Black, Various SU Markers; Other: Pinking Heart Corner and Border Punches, Crystal Effects, Dimensionals

Coral Flowers

This is another card for the HYCCT challenges on Splitcoaststampers. The challenge was to dry emboss an element on the card. For this card I used barely banana card stock, spring flowers designer series paper, cameo coral ink and true thyme stitch ribbon; all of which have been discontinued. I used the square lattice embossing folder to dry emboss the piece of always artichoke card stock that is mounted behind my stamped image. I have really been drawn to this stamp set for some reason and used it on the last challenge. The flowers were colored using markers in cameo coral and always artichoke and stamped onto a piece of very vanilla card stock. I did some paper piercing in the upper left hand corner of my stamped piece for added interest and created a banner look with the sentiment.

Supplies Used: Paper: Very Vanilla, Barely Banana, Always Artichoke, Spring Flowers DSP; Stamps: Love & Care, Bring on the Cake; Ink: Cameo Coral, Always Artichoke; Other: Square Lattice Embossing Folder, True Thyme Stitched Ribbon, Paper Piercing Tool, Mat Pack, Dimensionals

Concord Crush Flowers

This is my second post today because I'm still trying to catch up on the HYCCT challenges. This card combines two challenges, a sketch challenge and the HYCCT challenge. The HYCCT challenge was to create a card using any shade of purple to represent the survivors of breast cancer. I actually used two shades of purple for my card, concord crush and wisteria wonder. I began with a card base of concord crush and added a layer of wisteria wonder that was embossed using the square lattice embossing folder. The designer paper measures 2 5/8" x 3 7/8" and the concord crush layer is 2 3/4" x 4" and the cross piece measures 1 1/2" x 3 1/2" and was punched using an EK Success border punch called 'Parisian' and then layered onto a piece of concord crush the measures 1 5/8" x 3 5/8". The flowers were colored with using markers in concord crush and old olive and then stamped onto a piece of whisper white card stock measuring 2 3/8" x 2 7/8" that was layered onto a piece of concord crush card stock measuring 2 1/2" x 3". I did use a corner rounder punch on the pieces before adhering them together. The stamped image was adhered using dimensionals.

Supplies Used: Paper: Whisper White, Concord Crush, Wisteria Wonder, Concord Crush In Color DSP Pack; Stamps: Love & Care, Vintage Labels; Ink: Concord Crush, Old Olive; Other: Square Lattice Embossing Folder, EK Success Parisian Border Punch, Corner Rounder Punch, Pearls, Dimensionals

Snow Covered Village

I had a difficult time trying to figure out how to use paint on a card. I didn't want to watercolor an image or use some type of acrylic paint and as I was looking through my supplies I realized that I had fabric paint and decided it would be perfect for the card I had in mind. I began by creating an oval template that would help with the placement of the stamped image and also be used to shade the area. I stamped the image using handsome hunter ink and then proceeded to shade in the oval area with sage shadow ink and soft touches of handsome hunter ink. The stamped image was layered onto a piece of handsome hunter card stock and then added to the card base of very vanilla card stock. I punched out 3 snowflakes from the handsome hunter card stock, attached them to the card and added rhinestones to the center of each. To help balance the snowflakes on the lower right I added 2 large rhinestones to the upper left of the card. Once I had all of the elements added, I added the white pearl iridescent fabric paint to the stamped image and then sprinkled the wet paint with dazzling diamonds glitter. The fabric paint did absorb some color from the ink but I still like how it turned out.

Supplies Used: Paper: Very Vanilla, Handsome Hunter; Stamps: Winter Wonderland; Ink: Handsome Hunter, Sage Shadow; Other: Snowflake Punch, Rhinestones, White Pearl Iridescent Fabric Paint, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter

Mason Jar with Flowers

This was an easy challenge...only had to use a pink ribbon on the card. I love the simplicity of the mason jar with the flowers so I kept the layout clean and simple too. It's difficult to see in the photo but I covered the mason jar with crystal effects to give it the look of glass.

Supplies Used: Paper: Whisper White, Pink Pirouette, Crumb Cake, Rebecca DSP; Ink: Black, Various SU Markers; Stamps: On the Grow, Bitty Birthday; Other: Medium Dot Embossing Folder, Paper Piercing Tool, Mat Pack, Word Window Punch, Pink Pirouette Striped Grosgrain Ribbon, White Gel Pen, Crystal Effects, Dimensionals

Winter Ensemble

Another post today since I'm still trying to catch up on the HYCCT challenges. The challenge was to create a card using products, images, sentiments, or techniques that begin with the letters P, I, N and K. The card had to contain the following four required elements: at least one thing beginning with P, one thing beginning with I, one thing beginning with N, and one thing beginning with K.

My four elements are:
P - Pair of Mittens, Pair of Bows

I - Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder, Icelandic Sweater

N - Night of Navy Card Stock

K - Kiwi Kiss Card Stock, Knit Hat

Supplies Used: Paper: Whisper White, Kiwi Kiss, Night of Navy, Pickles DSP; Ink: Kiwi Kiss, Night of Navy, Versa Mark; Stamps: Bundle Up; Other: Snowflake Embossing Folder, Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder, Snowflake Punch, Oval Punch, Scallop Oval Punch, Scallop Trim Border and Corner Punches, Mini Silver Brad, Clear Rhinestones, Dimensionals

French Inspired Collage

This challenge was way out of my comfort zone. I don't think I've ever made a collage card and I enjoyed stepping out of my comfort zone for this challenge. It was pretty easy once I realized that I had the stamp set called "Friendship's Journey". Most of the work was already done for me. I did create the collage on the background layer but I kept things very soft and muted with the colors and I think that helped a lot.

Supplies Used: Paper: Very Vanilla, Pink Pirouette, Crumb Cake; Ink: Pink Pirouette, Blushing Bride, Pretty in Pink, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede; Stamps: Victorian Lace, French Script, Baroque Motifs, Hope Is..., Botanicals, Friendship's Journey; Other: Crumb Cake Taffeta Ribbon, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, Atyou Spica Glitter Pen, Pink Iridescent Fabric Paint, Frost White Shimmer Mist, Dew Drops, Dimensionals

Butterfly of Hope

This is my second post today because I'm trying to catch up on all of the Hope You Can Cling To challenges. Most of the cards that I've made for these challenges have been pink but I really wanted to do something different for this card. I originally thought I would have the main color be blue but when I found this background paper I ended up having the gray and yellow as my main colors.

Supplies Used: Paper: Very Vanilla, Barely Banana, Basic Gray, Sarah DSP; Ink: Basic Gray, Certainly Celery; Stamps: Great Friend; Other: Sizzix Beautiful Wings Embosslit, Scallop Edge Border Punch, Basic Gray Taffeta Ribbon, Frost White Shimmer Mist, Pearls

Big Heart Mouse

The challenge for this card was to use at least one heart on a card. If one heart is good lots of hearts are even better. I don't get the chance to use the heart blocks embossing folder very often so this was a great opportunity.

Supplies Used: Paper: Whisper White, Mauve Mist, Marvelous Magenta; Ink: Black, Various SU Markers; Stamps: Happy Heart Day; Other: Heart Blocks Embossing Folder, Trio Flower Punch, Rhinestone Brad, Dimensionals

Medallion with Shimmer and Bling!

The challenge was to create a card with "girlie" embellishments (lace, glitter, bling, pearls, ribbons, etc). To create the ombre effect on the medallion I inked the image using a Kaleidacolor ink pad called cotton candy. But instead of inking it from top to bottom, I added the ink in a clockwise direction so that the darker color was in the middle and radiated out to lighter shades of pink. Once I had the image stamped it was spritzed with frost white shimmer mist and then the rhinestones were added. This was a very simple and quick card.

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