HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Well, Christmas is over, we put the tree away today.  This was a tough holiday for me - we are calling it black Christmas.  I stopped working in mid-December due to health and I've been in a bit of a funk.  But, even with a low-key holiday, everyone was pleased and happy to be together.  That's important for me to remember the next time I think I "should" outdo Martha Stewart.  In fact, at the Paper Wishes message board there is a "word challenge" instead of a new year resolution.  I've been thinking and the word that keeps coming to mind is simplify.  Probably won't apply to my craft room, but everywhere else could certainly use some attention.  This Christmas is a great example, we kept  the most important traditions and let the rest go, including the mounds of presents - definitely simplified.  I'm also looking to simplify my home - the older I get the less I like clutter and that is one thing my house is full of.  I grew up with very little, so I tend to hang onto things, but it is time to re-examine and keep the important things, the sentimental things and let the "stuff" go.  A challenge for sure.

I made a card yesterday for Cheryl's store using a Design Line sticker set.  It is a stacked medallion which went together very easily (not hard to cut out).  I like this line of stickers for the quality and value: you get two sheets of the design for $2.00 - can't beat that.

I used vellum and a burgundy glossy paper from Cheryl's for the medallion layers as well as the Nestabilities scalloped circle.  The background paper is HOTP and I finished it off with KaiserCraft black pearls.  Is it to early for Valentine cards?  Hope not - since I have 2 sheets of the design, this one will be on display and I'll make another one for Paul.

PaperCutz Challenge #72

Happy Friday everyone!  Did you know Christmas is a week from tomorrow?  I think it just dawned on me, I went out yesterday to do some shopping, I figured that at 2:00 in the afternoon on a Thursday it wouldn't be busy - wrong!!!

This week at Papercutz Challenge is to make a New Year's card including in the design a banner.  This is my first try at using a banner (be kind!).

I think I need to work on the spacing a bit more.  All the papers and the large snowflake brad are from HOTP.

This is our last challenge of the year!  We're taking a break for the holidays and will be back in 2 weeks!

PaperCutz Challenge #71

Good morning!  This week our challenge at PaperCutz is to craft a project which has snowflakes or a snowman.  I must admit, this week I am showing a page I made for last Christmas.  On the Paper Wishes message board several of us decided to divide common holiday songs and to each make a page with our portion of the lyrics.  Mine was the last lines of Frosty the Snowman.  I had a lot of fun designing the page - and a lot less fun replicating it 8 times.  However, I'm very happy with how it came out.  For the snow at the bottom of the page I glued used crumpled drier sheets to my page and then rubbed icicle stickles all over it, I think you can see the shine in the picture.  I found Frosty somewhere on-line and paper pieced him together using suede paper for his vest.  The house and train come from the Christmas Noel cart from Cricut.  I used a snow writer on the house.  I hope you like it and come join in the fun.

Please leave me a note letting me know what you think.  Only 14 more shopping days left!

PaperCutz Challenge #70

Happy December everyone!  Just 22 shopping days left until Christmas - isn't that terrifying?  I'm usually done with Christmas and all wrapped by now, but I haven't really even started yet.  The kids will be easy this year - they all want $, so gift cards it is.  When they were younger a little after my youngest was beyond believing, I started having Santa bring the socks and underwear - he'd been getting the credit for the good stuff long enough!  So now, Christmas morning, they have a gift bag from the big guy along with their stockings.  They even get the same bag every year - I wrote their names on it!  Of course, stocking filling is getting pretty expensive too - have you noticed stores advertising "stocking stuffers for under $50"?  The grandkids get the same gift bag from Santa along with a very nice present - I love seeing their faces when they realize Santa stopped at Meme's and Papa's for them too!

This week at Papercutz Challenge you are to make a Christmas project using 2 patterned papers and any colors you would like.  I made another Christmas card using several papers from Kaiser Crafts Christmas line.  I usually like very bright colors for Xmas, but I'm really enjoying working with a more muted palette.

The tree focal is from Echo Park's Card Paper - I've been having a lot of fun using it to create focals.  I used Tim Holtz rock candy crackle paint on the focal - I'm not sure I'm in love with how it turned out, but it definitely aged the piece. The self-adhesive bottom border is also from Kaiser Craft, I just cut around the figures for a different look.  The ribbon is from my stash.  All of the papers I used today are available from Cheryl's store Inspired Designs.  She ships anywhere for the actual cost of the package - no added fees!

Now I just need to get these cards in the mail!  Have a great week!

PaperCutz Challenge #69

I hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving!  I'm not a Black Friday shopper - but if you are, happy hunting!  This week at Papercutz, it is anything goes!  This week my card uses stamps from Ippity which I get from Kim Bell.  This is a sweet set, I stamped the flowers twice and inked all the edges.  I also got the twine from Kim, I'm really enjoying using it - she has lots of colors to choose from.


Short post today!  Please visit Papercutz and post a link to your creation for a chance to win the monthly grand prize!  Let the holiday season commence!

PaperCutz Challenge #68

It's Friday again!  This week at PaperCutz the challenge is to make a Christmas project with lots of bling.  I chose glitter and Stickles as my bling of choice.  Just a side note, by the time I was done, my whole house was glittered, including Nugget!  I used the lint roller on her and I didn't get hair, just red and green glitter.

The stickers I used are from Stampendous and are red mirror pointsettias and green holly leaves.  I turned the stickers over and applied glitter to the adhesive.  After I sprinkled the glitter on, I covered the stickers with another piece of paper and used a brayer to insure even coverage.  When I use glitter like this, I always spray it with a clear acrylic sealer to keep the glitter on the card and not all over the recipient's house.  I'm able to keep more friends that way.  I've had the paper I used forever and don't know where its from, but it is red and green double sided.  I cut a narrow red frame from a piece, put it on the card and then turned it over and used the rest of the piece - it gives a nice border and I only needed one piece of paper for the card.  I used yellow Stickles for the middle of the flowers and as accent for the sentiment.  The sentiment is from HOTP and I used white embossing powder from Judikins.
It is very shiny in person and has a bit of dimension.  If you look real close, you can see one of Nugget's hairs on a pointsettia - I didn't notice until I uploaded the picture.  I'll make sure it isn't there before I mail it out.

We'd love to see what you come up with for the challenge!  Make sure you use Mr. Linky at the Papercutz site to be eligible for November's prize!

Not sure if I will get a chance to post before, so Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours; may you have a safe and happy day!  If you do not celebrate Thanksgiving, I still hope you have a safe and happy day and I hope you spend it crafting.  Me, I'm cooking and then cleaning up for 12 and counting...

PaperCutz Challenge #67

Good morning!  Hard to believe 2 weeks have gone by since my last post.  I had a tough time last week with my health, so I took it off from the challenge.  This week at Papercutz the challenge is to make a card, LO or craft project for Thanksgiving, using buttons and bows, and any colors you'd like. For my project I used a really cute template I got from Adela at PaperCraft Planet to make a chair.

 
I made the chair base from brown cardstock and then used HOTP papers to decorate.  I also used a Tonic punch to put two leaves in each side of the chair "skirt".  Nesties created the piece on the chair back and you can see the pop dots on the chair seat which is another square of the leaves paper.  These chairs are designed to open from the top or bottom, mine opens from the bottom to put a treat inside.  This one (and 12 others yet to be made) will be my placecards for Thanksgiving dinner, I'll add names in the oval.  I'm going to put after dinner mints in each one.


Please join us this week and if you are the winner you will be put into the drawing for the monthly grand prize!


 
I spent all of last Saturday at a crop in Gray, Maine to benefit an Equine Rescue group.  I was there to help Cheryl as she brought her store Inspired Designs to the crop.  I was able to finish a few Christmas cards, hopefully I can post pictures of them later today.

PaperCutz Challenge #65

Wow, another week come and gone!  I hate to admit it, but I'm getting old - time flies by so quickly!  This week at PaperCutz Challenge make a card, LO or craft project for Breast Cancer Awareness using any colors you'd like. We tend to think of pink ribbons for breast cancer awareness, but any message of hope or support is what's needed.  For Challenge 63 I made a Halloween card for awareness and this week I went with a more traditional approach.

I started with PP from HOTP and used the large Stampin' Up medallion with gold embossing powder to create the background.  I stamped this wonderful lady (I use her A LOT!) and embossed with black and cut her out. I did use a traditional pink ribbon and jazzed it up with some bling (creative imaginations).

I don't usually show the inside of my cards, but I think this one came out really well.  I repeated the background paper and embossed and cut out three more feathers with a little bling.  I distressed the edges of everything with Tea Dye Distress Ink.  When I look at this card I think of the song "I am woman" especially the "hear me roar" chorus.

So, for all my friends and readers, take the time to do self-exams and get mammograms per the guidelines.  Let's not forget men can be afflicted with this disease as well.  So, this week let's make sure we "save the girls and save the boys!

PaperCutz Challenge #64 and Firecracker Designs by Pamela

It is amazing how quickly time flies!  This is my last week as a guest designer for Firecracker Designs by Pamela (and, sadly, the last guest designer opportunity at all).  I chose to make my last Halloween card using the absolutely adorable image Duck O' Lantern to make a sweet card for a little one.  I colored him with Copics - I did do his whole body!   Of course, I don't have any little ones, so it is going to my 'littlest" (6') son!

PaperCutz Challenge # 64 was to make a Halloween card using diamonds, circles, stars or crescents.  Life being what it is sometimes, I combined my 2 design team "jobs" again this week.  The card is a 4 3/4" square which I covered with this cute purple candy corn paper (I've had it forever, so not sure where it came from) and I then cut a circle in the card using Nesties and my Big Shot; I cut a larger circle/scallop to mat the opening.  I then stamped the circle stamps (Studio G, I think) onto yellow circles and backed them with purple circles for a crescent embellie.  I also found in my stash 2 candy corn stickers that I popped on with foam tape for a little dimension.  As always, my camera doesn't really like purple, but that is the over all color and the ink is purple metallic by Memories.  I love their metallic ink line, I have 8 of the colors and use them a lot, they add a rich look to my projects.

So, I have all my Halloween cards in the mail and have started on my Thanksgiving ones!  I just use these holidays as an excuse to play!  I'm also working on a mini book of a day trip my husband and I took to the top of Mt. Washington in New Hampshire.


Just a reminder!  Firecracker Designs is having a close-out sale which is currently at 50% off through the end of October.  A new price will be posted November 1 with the last day of sales Dec. 15. 

PaperCutz Challenge #63 and Firecracker Designs by Pamela

Good morning everyone, it's Friday!  Here in Maine we are having a heck of a rainstorm which we really needed.  I know folks whose wells ran dry in August and this storm should finally take care of it.  My well is fine, but looking at the trees moving I may lose power!

This week I decided to combine both my design team duties into one project.  Now, you have to understand I have a slightly "off" sense of humor (it comes from either being in the Navy or raising all those kids) and as soon as I saw "Witchy Poo" I knew what I wanted to do.

PaperCutz Challenge this week is anything goes!  For Firecracker Designs by Pamela I have been doing Halloween projects for my guest designer month!

I chose the digi stamp Witchy Poo by Boni Boutelle-Jones.  October is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month and I thought she made a wonderful spokeswoman!  (The bling is my idea - not Boni's!)  I colored her with Copics (I'm still practicing!) mounted her on a red cardstock mat and made a gatefold card using Happy Place by Sassafrass.  I like this paper because it comes with a decorative edge which you can see peeking out on the top of the card.  This card is going to my oldest sister, Laurie.

Pamela's store closing sale is continuing and her inventory is clearing out.  Make sure you stop by her store soon to nab some of her wonderful rubber stamps currently at 50% off.  Her digi designs are not part of the close out sale, but you can sure buy them as well!

Just a reminder - all women need to do breast self-exams and get mammograms as recommended by their doctor. 

HAVE A GREAT WEEK AND DON'T FORGET TO SAVE THE GIRLS!

PaperCutz Challenge #62

This week, the challenge at PaperCutz is to make a project using Red, Black and White only with any theme.  I chose to make a wallet card.  I found this idea at the Scrapbook and Cards Today blog, designed by Virginia Nebel.

 

I started with Bazzill textured cardstock and double sided cardstock from Kaiser Crafts.  I used my Nesties (can't remember which Label #) for the closure, the black button brad is from HOTP and it closes with Velcro.                                                                                                                                                                     

 

There are 2 flaps inside and the top is open to slip in cash. On the right side of the picture above, I will mount a photo (when I decide who it is going to).

On this flap I will add gift cards securing them with Zots.  I used a little less than 1/2 a sheet of the PP.  I kept the design/embellishments simple because I intend this for one of my sons.

Thank you Scrapbook and Cards and Virginia for a great project!

So, don't forget to make your own project and link it up on the PaperCutz Challenge blog for your chance to win the October prize!

Firecracker Designs by Pamela

Good morning!  I decided to make all Halloween projects for my month of digi guest designing with Firecracker Designs by Pamela.  I have to admit, I'm doing them to make my life easier (I'll have 4 of the 5 cards needed to send to my kids away at college).  But I also lovvvvve the images!  This week I chose this adorable image by Boni Boutelle-Jones for Firecracker.

I colored him with Copics, cut him out and popped him on the background.  The papers are Cloud 9 Designs.  I printed out the sentiment, tore it and used metallic chalk on the edges.  A little Stickles and black ribbon finished the front off.


Want to know why you need to "choose wisely..."?

As soon as I saw this image, the song from my childhood kept playing in my head:  Trick or Treat, smell my feet or give me something good to eat!  If you've never heard that, it will probably be stuck in YOUR head now! LOL  Maybe it was just a Boston thing?

Anyway, I thought it finished off the card.








Just a reminder:  Firecracker Designs is going out of business. :(
All rubber stamps are currently 50% off.  Don't miss out on a chance to have some of these beautiful stamps.  I just received my order and can't wait to play!  Digi stamps are not on sale, but are a low price.  Pamela is updating her inventory list everyday - get 'em before they're gone!

Mid Week Throwdown - Operation Write Home

This week's Mid Week Throwdown for Operation Write Home was to make cards for girls.  You have to excuse the picture, but it's the best I could do tonight.  The papers are from HOTP.

Also, don't forget the October Challenge - get your cards to the shippers before October 15 for a chance to win a prize!

Thanks for stopping by!

Operation Write Home October Surprise Challenge

It was a busy weekend with World Cardmaking Day - hope you all had fun!

Operation Write Home is having a Surprise Challenge to encourage card donors to get their cards to the shippers early for the Winter holidays.  The deadline for all holiday cards is October 30; but, if your package reaches your shipper by October 15 you will be eligible to win Kimber McGray's new book!  Check OWH out for all the details.  Here is one of my cards going in my next box - hope you like it!

I started with a piece of shiny black card stock and stamped this Stampscapes tree with Versamark ink.  I then used Polished Pigments to color the tree.  I then used my white rain hairspray on the image to keep the color where it was supposed to be.  For some reason, my camera and/or computer don't like purple, but the card base is a purple shimmer, the focal mat and words are on pink shimmer and on the green piece I used an embossing folder on for texture.  The ribbon is purple from my stash and I used my new ribbon punch to anchor it.







If you can, please donate your handmade cards to this great cause.  It makes a difference in the troop's lives.  Tell them Penny sent you! LOL

PaperCutz Challenge #61

If you are looking for the Paper Wishes blog hop, click here!

If you are looking for Firecracker Designs digi stamp post, click here!

I've been very busy tonight posting, but that is terrific because I get to share in showing you some wonderful papercrafting sites!

This week the PaperCutz Challenge is to use 3 or more patterned papers with any design or theme.  I was very busy last month making cards for Operation Write Home.  I had pledged to make 100 during September as they celebrated their birthday bash.  Unfortunately, I was close but didn't quite make it, the rest will be going this month.  I have 2 cards to share with you that are ready to go:

 All the papers are from last year's DCWV Christmas stack.  The colors are very different for the holiday, but they are very cheerful.  One of the rules for OWH is no glitter, it is dangerous for the troops because it can be seen at night.  However, Stickles are allowed - thank goodness, I have to have my bling! LOL
This card actually has four papers:  the swirly bottom layer, the stripes with the snowflake, blue for the sentiment and a wider stripe pattern for the mat.  I added a large brad buddy from Paper Wishes and Stickled (I'm not sure that's a word) all the snowflakes, including the tips of the large brad.

This card uses 3 papers and features a tea bag folding medallion as the focal.  I love the look of tea bag folding on my cards and on my scrapbook pages.  I often make up quite a few while watching tv with my husband so they are ready to go.  One of the great things about using the paper stack is I can make several medallions from one design and know there are many other papers to coordinate with.  The ribbon is from my stash.  I've never used birds on Christmas cards before, but they are very sweet.



I hope you enjoy my cards and they help inspire you to design your own!  Please, play along with us and post your design on the PaperCutz blog - you could win and be put in the drawing for October's prize!

Firecracker Designs Digi Stamp Guest Designer

If you are looking for the Paper Wishes blog hop, click here!

I was thrilled to be selected as a guest designer for Firecracker Designs by Pamela.  I will be working with a few of her digi stamps and will post a new design each Friday.  I am very sorry to hear she is closing her store, but life has a way of rearranging priorities.  Her close-out sale starts October 1 (today) and her last sale day will be mid-December.  I am doing digital stamps, but I have many of her rubber stamp sets and I enjoy using them!

  My first card uses Pumpkin Head which was a fun design to work with. 

I colored him with Copic markers and I am the first to admit, I am a beginner at coloring!  I wanted more of a playful rather than scary, so he is done in light colors.  I colored a second head and skull, cut them out and popped them for depth.  I also used P K Glitz glitter in the pumpkin's facial features and the skull's one eye.  I didn't do this yet, but I think before I mail this to one of my kids away at college I will use glossy accents on the glitter to keep it in one place (my boys never look at my blog, so I'm safe posting a picture. LOL).  The sentiments are part of the digi set; I printed them out tore them and edged them with metallic purple ink.

I love easel cards, they are easy to make and are a great presentation.  I ran the purple layer through my Big Shot using the Swiss Dots folder for texture, then added the zig zag paper (I've had it for at least a year and don't know who's it is - if you know, please leave a comment and I will add it) and the last layer is bright orange.  Some ribbon from WalMart finished it off.

I hope you like him!  I'll be back next week with a project using another of Pamela's wonderful images.

Paperwishes Blog Hop

Come Join Paper Wishes for World Card Making Day and you can WIN! Starting October 1 at 8 AM EST and ending October 3 at 8 AM EST you will have a chance to win some great prizes worth more than $50 -

There will be three total winners, so you have three ways to win:

1. Hop to each blog listed below
• Leave a comment at each one
• Become a Follower at each blog
• Write down the Paper Wishes product featured on the blogs
• Send a Private message to Swaps Albums on the Paperwishes Forum: http://forum.paperwishes.com/member.php?u=2271 (If you have questions, email angela@sewmanycards.com for help) telling us all of the products being featured.


2. Hop to each blog listed below
• Leave a comment at each blog
• Become a Follower at each blog
• One random winner will be chosen from the comments



3. Hop to each blog listed below
• Leave a comment at each one
• Become a Follower at each blog
• Make a project using mostly Paper Wishes products
• Send a Private message to Swaps Albums on the Paper Wishes Forum: http://forum.paperwishes.com/member.php?u=2271 (If you have questions, email angela@sewmanycards.com for help) with a link to your project of a picture.

Here is information for my project that you can get at Paper Wishes:

My projects are highlighting Shine Design Papers from Paper Wishes

 

This card is covered with red shine design with green used as accent pieces, the medallion is on a gold DP also from PW and the gold brad comes from the Christmas Creative Kit. I love tea bag folding, they add such a WOW factor to cards and they are very easy to do.







I also wanted to share 2 quick and easy cards with you!

I cut my folded cardstock with Nestabilities leaving the top uncut to form the card bases.  I then cut the White Shine Design with the same Nestie, added a large brad buddy (I love the snowman and his carrot nose!) and some ribbon from my stash.  The Ho Ho Ho is a rub on and I used blue foil both from the Foil, Glitter, Flock collection from We R Memory Keepers.

All 3 of these cards are headed for my Operation Write Home box which will be going out this weekend.  If you can, please think about sending on some of your cards for deployed troops to use to keep in touch with their families back home.  I know I would have loved to have these cards available when I was deployed.  I hope you liked my cards and are enjoying the hop.

Please remember, to follow the instructions above to be eligible for the prizes and good luck!  Now you need to go to the next blog on the list, all the talent is absolutely amazing!


Never Try to Teach a Pig to Sing: http://unteachablepig.blogspot.com/
Cher-ing Paper Memories: http://cheringpapermemories.blogspot.com/
Montserrat Native: http://montserratnative.blogspot.com/
Becca's Heart for Creativity : http://www.beccasheartland.blogspot.com/
Crafty Imaginings by Jen: http://craftyimaginingsbyjen.blogspot.com/
Nancy's Creative Space: http://www.nancyscreativespace.blogspot.com/
Precious Thoughts, : http://www.preciousthoughtscards.blogspot.com/
Penny's Page: http://www.pennydouph.blogspot.com/
Crafty Patti' s Card Crafts: http://pattiscards.blogspot.com/

Red Robin Lane : http://redrobinlane-rgcarr.blogspot.com/

Sew Many Challenges: http://sewmanychallenges.com/

Jumping Around for PaperCutz Challenge 60

Happy Friday to you!

     This week the PaperCutz challenge is to use a hand drawn, digi image or hand stamped image of a critter with any colors or theme you would like.  I had been planning a card in my head all week, but when I sat down to make it, the end result was totally different!  I'm sure that's happened to everyone a time or two.  Last night I was looking through an old craft magazine and they had a feature on brayers, one of the techniques shown was to put elastics on your brayer.  Now this is probably an oldie for many of you, but I have never tried it until this morning.  As soon as I saw what I got, I knew I had to use my frogs for the card. 

The frogs are actually a stencil by Nellie's Choice which is available through Inspired Designs.  There are a lot of other fun designs available along with Christmas styles.  I used a green shimmer cardstock and ran the stencil through my Big Shot and cut the little guys out.  I didn't have googly eyes small enough so I used a white gel pen and a black Sharpie.  I then used my Quickie Glue Pen to add green flock to just their tummies.  I layered the top piece on blue corrugated paper and then on a green card.  Really pretty quick and simple, but it will definitely bring a smile to your face!  This card will go in my box for Operation Write Home.  I pledged to make 100 cards this month in honor of their birthday and I have 15 more to go.

It would be easier, I know, to make multiples of cards and I did do that with birthday cards I scraplifted from Cheryl at Inspired Designs.  I like to make different cards, keeps the creative juices flowing.  Thanks for stopping by!  Please join us at PaperCutz Challenge this week and also consider donating some of your home made cards to Operation Write Home!

PaperCutz Challenge #59

This week the PaperCutz Challenge is to make a card, layout or other project with a Halloween theme using no black or orange.  All of my Halloween paper has black and/or orange on it, so that was out.  I needed to take a different angle.  I used a digi stamp from Sew Many Cards which I printed out twice.  The distinctive thing with each of this company's images is they each have a patch or two in the design.  I couldn't seem to incorporate them into my design, so the alterations are mine and don't reflect on Sew Many Cards!

I cut apart one of the images into four pieces, ran them through my Xyron sticker maker and then used loose glitter on the sticky side.  I then coated each of the pieces with Inkessentials Glossy Accents.  This card is going to my dau who is away at College; I didn't think she would appreciate getting a card that "shed" glitter all over the place.  I then glued the pieces on the second image to complete my focal.  The patterned paper is from K&Company and I checked closely, there is no orange or black.  The photo doesn't show the color well, but the second layer is lime green and the bottom layer a bright purple.  I printed the sentiment using purple ink and then ran lines of 1/8' scor-tape and added more purple glitter.  The hat was pop-dotted and I finished off with a purple fiber from HOTP.  The inside has the sentiment of "Wear it!  Happy Halloween" layered on the green and purple cardstock.  My scrap room and my dog are covered in green and purple glitter, but that's all part of the fun.

It's your turn now!  Please play along with us and post your creation at the PaperCutz Challenge blog for a chance to be entered in the grand prize drawing at the end of the month!

Have a great weekend!

PaperCutz Challenge #58

Good morning!  I'm a little late posting my design for this week's PaperCutz Challenge!  This week, your mission is to make a project using a tag and any theme you want.  The winner of each week's challenge is then eligible for the monthly grand prize, so play along!

I used alcohol inks to make this gift bag and tags.  The bag is a frosted plastic bag you fold together, I use Copic marker reinkers for my alcohol inking.  I have a home made applicator which is a stamp block left over after I unmounted all my wood stamps and I buy the sheets of felt at Walmart and cut them up.  I used R39 and G28 and a Krylon Gold Leafing Pen.  I inked the inside of the bag, but you can certainly do the outside which would make a much shinier appearance!  For the tags, I cut a large red cardstock tag and used the Leafing Pen around the edges as I did for the rest of the tag group.

I then alcohol inked a vellum envelope and another scrap of vellum for the second tag.  The last tag is red cardstock which I gold embossed from a $1 stamp set which I think I bought at Joanne's or Michaels.  I used a gold brad and a small piece of gold edged mesh ribbon to hold the tags together.  Then I finished the whole thing off with some gold curling ribbon.  This will make a fabulous presentation for my sisters-in-law at Christmas.  I'm working on a set of note cards for each of them (don't tell!) LOL


Thanks for stopping by!  Be sure to join in the fun and post your creation on the PaperCutz Challenge blog for a chance to win the monthly grand prize!

PaperCutz Challenge #57

Good morning!

  Today is my first PaperCutz Challenge as a Design Team member!  This week's challenge is to make a project using 1 ribbon, 2 buttons and 3 colors and any theme you want.  I made a card that will go in my Operation Write Home box.  The double sided paper and the sentiment are from Stampin Up.  The ribbon came from WalMart and the buttons have been in my sewing basket for a very long time. 

 Challenges are a lot of fun!  Please join us this week at PaperCutz Challenge and play along!

Catch up!

It is amazing how quickly time flies!  I can't believe I haven't posted in almost 2 weeks, but I've been busy with work and family; the kids went back to college on Sunday, so I have an empty nest again.  I'll miss them, but it's nice to have time for myself and hubby!

I am very excited to have been selected for the Papercutz Challenge Design Team!  My first card will be posted this Friday for challenge #57, I am a little nervous so some feedback will be terrific!

In the meantime, I have been busy working on some cards, mainly for Inspired Designs my LSS.  If you go to her blog, you will notice that it hasn't been updated in a while, but she is still going strong!  She puts so much energy into the store, her blog has been left behind.  However, you can get in touch with her through the blog and she does do on-line ordering.  She has a bunch of terrific new things in the store and I have loved playing with them!  First off is Outline Stamps, this card is from their Posy collection; I created the paper using Adirondack inks and a cardstock weight vellum then stamped and cut out the 4 sizes of the flower as well as a Posy Greetings Center stamp - they are made to fit perfectly in the center of a flower.  The beautiful vine on the background is also an Outline stamp.  I finished it off with some fibers and Stickles - gotta have the bling!

This stamp is Sparkle Design.  It is just beautiful!  It took about an hour and a half to color it with markers while DH and I were watching a movie.  You can't tell in the picture, but the petals with the red circles and the center flower are popped with foam tape to add dimension.  I made it into a shaped card with the sentiment on the inside.  I think this stamp has a lot of potential for different cards by using just parts of it.  I'll have to post any ideas I finish.


That's it for today!  I'll post tomorrow with the other new "toys" I got to play with, some great new dies!  Have a good one.

4 challenges

This week at OWH Sketch Challenge #30 is what started my card out. Christmas Stampin' All Year Long had a challenge to use 2 or more patterned papers (I have 3, the stripes, dots and the green on the tag). For Fun Challenges had a recipe challenge of 1 ribbon, 2 patterned papers and 3 embellishments (got the patterned paper, one wide red ribbon and the "joy", ornaments and tag as embellishments)










The last challenge is from Winter Wonderland which was "Tag It" and that led me to making the tag which slips into a pocket made up of 2 layers of dots paper (the first layer should have been enough, but I taped it down with the open side on the left, not the right!). Papers are from DCWV and the ornament stamp set is from Firecracker Designs by Pamela. The inside has a pretty "Season's Greetings" also from Firecracker Designs.


That's it for today! Have a great one and please, feel free to leave comments, good, bad or indifferent!

PaperCutz Challenge #54

This week's theme at PaperCutz Challenge Blog is to create a LO, card or other papercraft project about back to school. I used a Digi Shack image - as soon as I saw it I wanted to use it for cards for my four kids heading back to college in a few weeks. I know I'm whistling in the wind expecting them to "have no fun", but a mom can hope! I colored them with Copics and added cinnamon Fun Flock on their tails to give the piece some texture. The papers and ribbon are HOTP. Thanks for stopping by - as always I appreciate any feedback!

Christmas Cards All Year Round Challenge

Christmas Cards All Year Round Challenge for August is to make cards with snowflakes. I've already posted one card here and these cards are the other four to be eligible for the prize!





Papers are from DCWV, label is a Nestabilities and the stamp and the glitter domes are from HOTP. I edged the card with a Krylon Silver leafing pen. I'm still getting used to the idea that black can be a Christmas color!









This is a simple card that looks much better "in-person". Papers are again DCWV and I added Stickles in the center of the snowflakes.










For this card all products are from HOTP. Looking at it now, it seems I forgot to crop it - Sorry!
















Last, but not least is another card using HOTP products. I'm having a hard time with pictures of cards that have shiny elements like the "glassine envelope" on this card. I've put on my Christmas wishlist a new camera, I'll have to wait and see if Santa thinks I'm a good girl. LOL



All of these cards are in the Operation Write Home box! I'm going to have to start making some for my friends and family...

Again, thanks for stopping by! Hope the rest of your weekend is terrific.

365 Cards Challenge

365 Cards Day 160 challenge was to make a card with the following recipe:

5x5 Card
2 3x3 patterned papers
Sentiment
2 images (stamped, fussy cut, digi, whatever)
2 Buttons
4 Blossoms

I seem to be late to a lot of challenges as this site added a new element to the card design each day and I got in on the last day. Anyway, here's my interpretation of the recipe:
The papers are DCWV, the trees and sentiment are a new set by Fancy Pants Design I just got and the pointsettias are Making Memories which I have had in my stash for a while. They are almost gone which makes me sad. I colored the trees with Smooch - it's hard to see, but it gives a wonderful shimmer.

Thanks for looking!

Character Cafe Challenge #27

The challenge this week for the Character Cafe was to make a round card. I used Nestabilities for all the cuts, all paper and embellishments are from HOTP. This card will join the others ready to go for Operation Write Home.

Have a great one!

One card, 4 challenges!

This week I designed a card that would multi-task for 4 challenges (I'm learning!).

My Time to Craft is up to their 100th challenge this week and the theme is "check it out".
PaperCutz Challenge Challenge #52 is celebrating their first year of challenges. This week was a color challenge: only red, black, yellow, blue and white were allowed.
Winter Wonderland challenge was no designer/patterned paper allowed.
Christmas Cards All Year Round August challenge is snowflakes.

This is how I met these 4 challenges:

For the checked requirement from My Time to Craft, I made a checker pattern using the color requirements of PaperCutz and this also met the Winter Wonderland challenge of no DP. The vertical lines are rub-on glitter sheets. I didn't have any black rub-on glitter for the horizontal lines, so I used black flocking - then I found my black rub-on glitter - ain't that the way? LOL! The Christmas Cards All Year Round snowflakes were done with Dreamweaver white embossing paste and glitter. I sealed the snowflakes and check pattern with Krylon Glaze spray so the glitter/ flocking won't rub off. I finished the card off with a sentiment stamped in black, red and white shimmer paper and blue brads!
Thanks again for stopping by!

Mid Week Throwdown - Operation Write Home

My second challenge entry today is the Mid Week Throwdown for OWH. The challenge was Christmas in July. Again the papers are DCWV, the stamp is from HOTP. I colored the reindeer with Copics, but the rest is my new Smooch! Let me know what you think!

For Fun Challenge

This week the For Fun Challenge was to show the colors of summer. This is my entry: papers are DCWV, I embossed the happy birthday and butterfly with Zing! neon powder. The colors are more vibrant in person. Thanks for stopping by!

Operation Write Home Sketch Challenge #27

I'm definitely coming late to the party, but I recently discovered Operation Write Home which is a group of crafters who make cards to send to deployed troops from all services to facilitate keeping in touch with friends and family. I think this is just AWESOME! When I was deployed, we didn't have this, but it would have been terrific if we had. We did get "any soldier/sailor" letters which were always a lot of fun to read.

Anyway, this is the sketch created by Martha, her blog is: Peachy Papercrafting.

And this is my version of the sketch:
The papers are DCWV, Bazzill cardstock and stamps from HOTP. I just got Smooch and I highlighted the tree with it - I'm already in love with Smooch! I have 10 colors and may just have to paint my dog, Nugget.

If you haven't already, please check out Operation Write Home and if you can help out with this wonderful effort - go for it!

I am thrilled to have gained new followers in the last week! Thank you so much! As always, thanks for coming by and I look forward to your comments.

Cuttlebug, For Fun and Practical Scrappers Challenges

Here are two more challenge cards I did today. The first is For Fun Challenges which was based on a sketch. All materials are HOTP. I love teabag folding and it makes such a great focal for a card!

The Cuttlebug Challenges was also a sketch during their Christmas Festival week. All papers come from DCWV. I used the Swiss Dots folder and then lightly sanded the dots. I usually have a tough time adhering vellum, but the ribbon made it easy: I glued the top of the saying and hid it under the ribbon!

The Practical Scrappers challenge this week was to use up your stash! To qualify either the products or the tools used had to be at least a year old. Both cards qualify on that criteria! I've had the Christmas papers since I started scrapping 5 years ago and I've had the purple papers for at least 2 years!

Thanks for stopping by!

Party Time Tuesdays Challenge

Party Time Tuesdays challenge this week was to make a pocket card. I've never made one before, but here is my take on the challenge. Paper is Sasafrass and the focals are HOTP which I colored with my Twinklettes to give a little sparkle to the card. The flower at the top of the tag comes from a punch! Have a great day!

Butterfly Bliss Challenge

My Time to Craft is having a butterfly bliss challenge this week. I had made a masterboard of this Crafter's Workshop stencil using Adirondack Brights and I had this narrow piece left. Then I remembered I had this great vertical Happy Birthday stamp (from Dee Greunig) and I had a cheerful card in no time! I stamped the butterfly (Autumn Leaves) twice - once on the card and once on white cardstock - I cut out his inner wings and popped them on foam tape for dimension.

Have a great week!

New page and more cards

Well, going back to work really put a damper in my crafting! However, it pays for my supplies, so I guess it all evens out. Cheryl of Inspired Designs asked me to make a sample layout using a product she has from piggy tales called sliding doors. It is at the bottom of the layout with a quote and a picture of my daughter. The quote is glued to the sliding door, when you move it over there is a space underneath for journaling or another picture. I put another picture of Toni there. I sprayed the white chipboard piece with Glimmer Mist - it gave it a cool mottled look; I also sprayed the various chipboard flowers with the same color, but some of the flowers were gray and they came out darker. This is the first time I have used paint on a layout - I just put a swoosh across the top for my title, but I really like the effect. The paper is Starry Night by Sassafrass Lass.

I've also been busy making some card samples for Cheryl's store. Actually, I've really been busy playing with my new line of inks. I just got the Adirondack inks in the bright and earth tone lines and they are fabulous! The ink seems to "move" really well so I went wild one night and did up a bunch of coffee filters in a tye dye effect - it is the background and flowers on the card. After die cutting the flowers I ran them through my Big Shot in an embossing folder to give them a little more dimension. My favorite colors are the Wild Plum in earth tones and Purple Twilight in the brights. I'll post a sample using the brights soon.




I've also been playing with texture plates lately. I have some from Sizzix as well as Fiskars brand. This card is made using a Fiskars plate I ran through my Big Shot. The Fiskars were designed to be embossed by hand, but they do beautifully in the machine! For this card, I inked the positive and negative sides and they both made such a good look I decided to put them together. The stamp is Michael Strong (I love his stamps and seem to use this one in particular a lot). I rarely make monochramatic cards, but even I think it came out great!








My last card tonight is a quick and simple photo card. The picture is a close up of a bouquet of flowers I was given. I cut the picture into 4 strips and mounted them on pink cardstock. The "ribbon" is actually green cardstock run through an embossing folder and the medallion is a Sizzix embossing folder. The colors are much more striking in person.


That's it for now, thanks for stopping by and I'd love to hear from you!