Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

OK, back to Christmas cards for the evening!

As I took this picture, I realized that this is probably a better way to do it- with the card laying flat on my desk mat.  You can see the Glossy Accents aren't dry yet!

Here it is:

This card uses some old patterned paper I'd bought a few years back- Let it Snow from Moxxie's Winterland collection.  I love the colors and wintry feel, even though it's not traditionally Christmassy.

This is not a card that I'm making in multiples, although it would be very simple to do given enough patterned paper.  I'm going to try to include several one-offs in my Christmas card collection this year.  I think I'll make a set of card using this paper, though.  We'll see how that turns out :)

Supplies used:

Tim Holtz Distress Watercolor paper
Distress markers
Moxxie patterned paper
Bazill navy card stock
Ranger Archival black ink
Ranger Glossy Accents
Sizzix Tim Holtz  Tree Blueprint stamp and die set

Thanks for looking!

Edited to add:

Here's Card #2 in the set-

I am totally loving those colors.

Supplies used:

Same as above, except using Sizzix Tim Hotz Snowman Blueprint stamp and die set.

A friendly break from Christmas cards

My July Stamps of Life kit got here yesterday! Woo hoo!  I love the color palette this month- navy, lime, lavender, turquoise, and yellow.  I was so busy making Christmas cards that I hadn't really dug into the kit yet!

My first card shows off part of the color palette in the patterned paper and the word die set that came in the kit:

Wow I sure was wonky taking the picture!  But here is a clean and simple card, dressed up with a little patterned paper.  Love that lavender and navy!  They really deliver on their card kits- you don't actually need anything else to make a great card.  Except ink and adhesive, that is.

I was still stuck on navy when I created my second card:

The card kit came with some great friend sentiments, which I used on the inside of both cards.  But I was looking for a cute character to go with them.  Now that I have most of my stamps organized, I was able to find my favorite Penny Black stamp set (I love that cat).  So he goes on the card, along with a little "out of the frame" die cutting action.  And yes, that is washi tape.  The FIRST time I have ever used washi tape on a card!  I mean, besides using it to hold a die in place.  I kind of wish the white on the washi read as either completely clear or completely white.  The half-tone is kinda ok, I guess.  But it could be better.

I suppose I could have taken a little more time to color and blend the mess out of the kitty cat, but I wanted him to look a little like Jethro, and he is mostly white with a little grey and black.  So there you go- you can color an image with four or fewer markers.  You don't necessarily need the whole kit and caboodle.  They are fun to collect and organize, though.

Supplies used:

Stamps of Life July card kit
Hero Arts navy ink cube
Penny Black Purrfect Day stamp set
Spellbinders ovals and scalloped ovals dies
Spectrun Noir markers CG2, FS6, BG3, and clear blender

Apparently bling makes me happy

Another dozen cards made, just like this one:

OK not all are just like this one.  Some are red and some are blue.  But the silver ones are my favorite.  The big stars are a little too hefty for the cards to go in the mail, so they will have to be hand delivered.  Or I can mail them in padded mailers.  Whatev.  It's shiny and that makes me happy.  From the glittered cardstock in the background to the little blingy stars to the big blingy star.  I'm happy.

Supplies used:

The Paper Studio glitter paper pack
The Paper Studio heavy weight white card stock
Memento London Fog ink
Recollections adhesive rhinestones
Stampin' Up Snow Swirled stamp set

Thanks for looking!

Bling a ding ding

So I started trying to make Kristina Werner's card but I didn't wanna do the twine.  I wanted shiny twine.  I wanted silver.  Since I was going to run into town, I made a little shopping list:  Post-It tape (from Staples), silver cord, sequins, and a micron pen (because I've lost mine).  $100 later, I made it back home.  I went to Hobby Lobby first, where I spent about $60 on sequins, glitter paper, micron pens, Perfect Medium pens (because they didn't have Versamark pens), and I don't even know what else.  Gosh I love that store.

Because I had three (!) gift cards, I went to Michael's and got an OTT light for my desk!  It was on sale for $25 down from $80!  Still did not find silver cord.  Found some bling strips to use instead.  Also got a stamp set for sympathy cards because, you know, I don't have enough stamps.  And if you believe that, I have some ocean front property here in Kentucky to sell you!  Seriously, I am selling my house and it is in Kentucky.  And when it rains a lot, the corn field across the street floods.  But I guess it's not "technically" an ocean... and "technically", you might say I have enough stamps.  Must have ALL the stamps!  LOL As long as I'm kicking, Simon Says Stamp will never go out of business.

So... my card.  The reason I went for a "quick trip" into town for a "little" shopping.  Here it is:

Kind of like Kristina's, and kind of not.  And you know, I  have red and white baker's twine.  I could have made my card just like hers.  But I didn't.  Because then I couldn't have gone shopping.

Supplies used:

Simon Says Stamp Smoke card stock
Versamark ink
Filigree silver embossing powder
Recollections rhinestone borders


Thanks for looking!

Have a Cool Yule. Or, What a Difference a Little Glitter Makes

Christmas cards in July!  Rummaging though my stash, I found this little guy hiding under all the bigger stamp sets.  So I challenged my self- could I fill a card with a little, bitty, 2x3 stamp set?

This is what I came up with:

Not bad, right?  I love one layer cards.  But this one was lacking a little something.  I thought maybe it needs sequins, but I don't have any.  Then I found some glitter tape in my stash, and look at the difference:

A subtle difference, but I think it finishes the card nicely.  Although if I find any sequins, I may add those too.

Supplies used:

Lawn Fawn Winter Penguin Stamp Set
Distress markers: Hickory Smoke, Abandoned Coral, and Fossilized Amber
Memento Tuxedo Black ink
American Crafts glitter tape

Thanks for looking!

More Christmas in July

I am broke like a joker this weekend (too much SSS shopping LOL) so I am staying in and making cards.  Christmas cards.  I know it's July, but Christmas cards make me happy :)

I started by pulling a stamp set from my stash- in this case, a SSS set called Big Holiday Wishes.  I googled for a little inspiration again, and again came up with a Nicole Magouirk design that I liked.  However, I don't have any embossing paste or simple striped paper, so I had to rummage through my stash some more.  I liked the idea of snowflakes, as they would kind of dress up the sentiment.  So I found another stamp set with a couple of small snowflakes I could add to the design.  Next I searched my 6x6 paper pads but couldn't find an appropriate stripe.  None of them were simple enough.  So I decided to focus on the color palette, and came up with a MME wood grain paper stack that would work!  So here's my take on Nicole's design:

Kind of clean and simple, with kind of an elegant edge, maybe?  I like it.  I used the MISTI to do all the stamping, so making 8 cards was a snap!

Supplies used:

Simon Says Stamp Big Holiday Wishes stamp set
Hero Arts Magic of Christmas stamp set
Paper Studio heavy weight white card stock
My Mind's Eye Necessities-Wood paper stack
Versamark ink
Filigree platinum embossing powder

OK, I'm going back to the drawing board to see what else I can come up with!

Thanks for looking!

Christmas in July

I've been sorting through my stamp stash, and WOW do I have a lot of Christmas stamp sets!  I decided that now is as good a time as ever to really get started on my Christmas cards.  I chose my stamp set first, did a little Google search for inspiration, and found Nicole Magouirk's card. I changed up a few things, depending on what all I had in my stash to work with.  Here's my take:

I need to add a few sequins!  But otherwise, I am very happy with how this turned out.  Instead of a vellum overlay background, I used Fog ink for a tone on tone look.  I wish you could see the sparkle of the cord I used to hang the ornaments.

Supplies used:

Bead Party Braiding Cord
Paper Studio heavy weight white card stock
Recollections silver embossed card stock
Simon Says Stamp inks: Fog, Spring Rain, and Scuba
Simon Says Stamp Ornaments stamp and die set
Recollections background stamp
Brilliance silver ink
Filigree Platinum embossing powder
Bazzill vellum card stock


Thanks for stopping by!

Hero Arts Color Layering Bird

I just got my Hero Arts Color Layering Bird stamp set in the mail today!  I played around with a few color combinations before hitting one I liked.  By the way- the MISTI is essential to stamp with this set!  It's really, really hard to get them lined up without it.

Here's my card:

Ta daaa!  I did it!

Supplies used:

Hero Arts Color Layering Bird and Branch stamp set
My Favorite Things Clearly Sentimental About Abundance stamp set
Simon Says Stamp inks: Fog, Rosie Cheeks, and Hollyhock
Memento inks: London Fog, Grey Flannel, Teal Zeal, and Rich Cocoa
Recollections teal card stock
Paper Studio heavy weight white card stock
Distress marker: Brushed corduroy (for the eye and the branch where I masked the foot)

Thanks for looking!

One die set, one stamp set, one layout- Card 2

So I was playing with my supplies I used yesterday because, you know, they were still on my desk lol and made a second card using the exact same die set, stamp set, card stock, and patterned paper stack.  Woo hoo!  I even used the same basic layout.

Here is card #2:

I am loving this paper stack.  So much detail, but not too loud.  Feminine and masculine-ish in the same stack.

Supplies used:

The Paper Studio Country Road paper stack
The Paper Studio heavy weight white card stock
Recollections brown card stock
Simon Says Stamp Happy and Smiles stamp set
Memento Rich Cocoa ink
Simon Says Stamp Frames die set

Thanks for looking!

You Make Me Smile

OK, my creative peeps, here's one that I made all by my ownself and didn't copy from anybody:

I love the stamp set and the detailed outline!  This card could go to just about anyone.

Supplies used:

Simon Says Stamp Happy and Smile stamp set
The Paper Studio County Road patterned paper
The Paper Studio heavyweight white card stock
Recollections brown card stock
Memento Rich Cocoa ink

And  I just realized that I got the sentiment a bit crooked.  Sigh.  I should have used the MISTI.

Lotus Blossom

I made a few sympathy cards with my new MISTI!  Yep, it's pretty great, especially for lining up those two-step stamping projects and for doing multiples.  I made four of this card, one of which is already in the mail for a dear friend who lost her brother in law last weekend.

Here is the card:

I like the colors I used here... I didn't want to make the card too blah and grey even though it's a sympathy card.

Supplies used:

MISTI
Recollections orange card stock
Paper Studio white heavy weight card stock
Memento inks: Dandelion, New Sprout, Bamboo Leaves, and Tuxedo Black
Simon Says Stamp inks: Melon and Sunkist
Stampin Up! Lotus Blossom stamp set
Stampin Up! Butterfly Basics stamp set
Simon Says Stamp Blessed stamp set

Thanks for looking!

Sizzix Binge

I got my first kit from The Stamps of Life, and had been thinking of ways to use the great cardstock and papers.  Plus, I've been wanting to use my Sizzix card making dies that I seem to have collected!  I have four of them already- I didn't realize that until I started organizing my craft room.

I decided to warm up with Recollections card stock in case I didn't like what I got with the dies.  So, the first card uses Sizzix Framelits 3D Drop-Ins by Stephanie Barnard (who happens to be involved with The Stamps of Life).  This one has a party banner pop out on the inside of the card.  Here is the card:

I like it, but the front feels unfinished.  I'll be adding more to that, I am sure.

Supplies used:
SSS Farmyard Birthday stamp and die set
Spectrum Noir markers
Memento Tuxedo Black ink
Recollections card stock
Sizzix Framelits 3D Drop-Ins #560145


Next up is a thank you note using the June 2015 Stamps of Life card kit:

I love purple, and this card has lots of it! The solid and patterned card stock and the gingham ribbon all come in the kit.  So does the stamp set!

Supplies used:
Stamps of Life June 2015 card kit
Memento Tuxedo Black ink
Sizzix Square Flip-It card die set

And my final card for the night:

The card stock and word dies came in the kit.  I did use a different stamp- the "Celebrate" sentiment- but that's it.

Supplies used:
Stamps of Life June 2015 card kit
Verve Poppy Birthday stamp set (sentiment)
Memento Grape Jelly ink
Sizzix Regal Stand-Ups card die set
Spellbinders label nesting dies ( the purple and white sizes do not come in the Sizzix die set)

So there you have it.  Thanks for looking!

More Watercolor Wings!

I found this post linked over at a Split Coast Stampers gallery, and just had to try it!

Head on over there and check out her tutorial- it's a good one.

Here's my card:

I love that you get so many stamped images inside the card and still have lots of room to write a message!  

Supplies used:

Paper Studio Heavyweight white card stock

Memento inks: Grape Jelly, Sweet Plum, and Lulu Lavender

Spellbinders oval die

Stampin Up! Watercolor Wings stamps set

Stampin Up! Bold Butterflies framelit

American Crafts ribbon

Cuttlebug embossing folder

Thanks for looking!

Watercolor Wings 2

I found this post and I just had to try to duplicate the card.  I love the color palette and that it uses my new SU stuff!

Here's my card:

I used Marina Mist SU card stock, it was a nice partner to the SSS inks I chose.  I added the layer under the white card, too.

Supplies used:
SU Marina Mist and Whisper White card stock
SU Watercolor Wings stamp set
SU Bold Butterfly and Butterflies framelits
Simon Says Stamp inks: Fog, Sea Glass, Spring Rain, and Scuba
Verve sequins
Ranger Glossy Accents to secure the sequins


Thanks for looking!

Watercolor Wings

Hooray! My Stampin' Up! order arrived today!  I got the Watercolor Wings stamp set, Bold Butterfly Framelits (because they coordinate with the stamp set) and a pack of Soft Subtles card stock.  Woo hoo!  I couldn't wait to play with it, and here's my first card:

In addition to the stamp set and die, I used some of my new Simon Says Stamp inks- so pretty!

Supplies used:
SU Watercolor Wings stamp set
SU Bold Butterfly framelits
SSS dye inks: Slate, Hollyhock, Melon, and Goldilocks
Bead Party Braiding Cord
Paper Studio white heavy weight cardstock

I love the colors together, and I love stamp sets that are made for layering like this one.  I can't wait to play some more!

Thanks for looking!

Chance of Rain Take Two

So I was dying all day to get out of work so I could run by Michael's and buy a watercolor brush.  Of all the crafty things I had, a paintbrush was not one of them!  Five o'clock could not get here fast enough.

Brush bought, and rushed home to create!  Well, re-create.  I was very heavily inspired by Kristina Werner's card (I know, I know... again!) and I just had to try my hand at water coloring.  I know, right!  I am the last paper crafter on the planet to add watercolor to a card.  LOL

So here's what I came up with (and you can see Kristina's card on the monitor behind it):

I changed up a little- the sentiment and cloud, plus I added raindrops from the stamp set and a little glimmer in the rain.  OK, I still obviously copied everything else!  But hey- it turned out great! I wish you could see the shiny umbrella and sparkly rain.

Supplies used:

Distress inks: Tumbled Glass, Peacock Feathers, and Chipped Sapphire
Ranger Archival ink - it's waterproof!!
Spectrum Noir markers
Ranger Glossy Accents on the umbrella
Tattered Angels Glimmer Mist "Sea Glass" on the rain for a lil shine.

Thanks for looking!

Chance of Rain

I got my Simon Says Stamp haul today!  Wheeee! Lots of fun things to play with!  Here's the first card I've made with it:

Nothing fancy, just playing with my new Taylored Expressions embossing folder, Mama Elephant stamps and dies, and my Spectrum Noir markers.

It's a simple card for tonight because I have to get up in the morning, but I think this weekend I'll play some more with watercolor effects, Distress inks, Glossy Accents, background stamps, etc!

Supplies used:
Taylored Expressions embossing folder "Raindrops"
Mama Elephant Chance of Rain stamps and dies
Memento Tuxedo Black ink
Spectrum Noir markers

Thanks for looking!