Warm & Cozy Christmas

Hello there! Happy Almost Weekend. :-)

I am playing in a challenge with this Christmas card.  Sound the trumpets, cue the confetti!  I have not participated in a challenge in a loooooonnnnngggg time.  

I'm linking up at Weekly Christmas Card Challenges.  Thanks so much for letting me play, ladies!

I used Lawn Fawn's Cozy Christmas set, which I bought at an online "yard sale".  It just makes me smile, these cute l'il guys. :-) That milk! Those cookies! The friendly fire!

I stamped everything on a white die cut panel, colored all in with Copic markers, and then something just wasn't right. I checked with one of my at-home critics (my 14 year old), and the problem was too stark a contrast between the bright colors and all.that.white. 

To fix that, I first drew in a hardwood floor.

I then stamped some really subtle snowflakes (can you see them in the above photo, behind the cute cookies?) and inked the edges of the panel with the same Antique Linen ink. That worked!  

I added some Glossy Accents to the milk glass and the strand of lights, as finishing touches. 

I'm so glad you came by today!  Thanks for your visit!

Stamps: Cozy Christmas - Lawn Fawn Paper: white - Papertrey Ink; pattern - Be Merry - My Mind's Eye Ink: Antique Linen, Black Soot - Ranger; Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Accessories & Tools: Glossy Accents - Ranger; Copic markers; silver gel pen; Stitched Rectangles die - L'il Inker Designs

Black Polka Dot Christmas Tree

Hello! This is quite a different kind of Christmas tree:  black, with white polka dots. It's got a modern feel, and I balanced it with lots of white.

Just because there's lots of white space doesn't mean it needs to be flat and boring. I used a snowflake embossing folder, and topped it with punched snowflakes, which are then topped with Marshmallow sequins. 

The polka dot paper came from an iPhone case package. Couldn't pass it up, it's so cute. I decorated my tree with sequins of gold, silver, and sparkling clear, then topped it with a shiny gold star using an Itty Bitty Accent punch from Stampin' Up!.

Thanks for coming by today! 

Paper: white - Papertrey Ink; shiny gold - WorldWin; polka dot pattern - cell phone packaging Accessories & Tools: Itty Bitty Accents - Stampin' Up!; Christmas Tree die - Papertrey Ink; silver, gold, clear, white sequins - Pretty Pink Posh; matte gold sequins - MJ Trimming; Glacial Snowflake punch - Martha Stewart; Northern Flurry embossing folder - Stampin' Up!

Veggies

My mom's neighbors have a garden full of vegetables, and they kindly share their harvest with my mother.

I gave my mom some of my cards as a Christmas gift, to give away, and this was one of them. Naturally, I had her sweet neighbors in mind when I made this one.

I stamped the garlic and artichoke images from Homegrown (Stampin' Up!) repeatedly on the kraft card base, then topped it with a diagonally-cut black strip. Some gold puffy alpha stickers, gold sequins, and more veggies (trimmed out of white cardstock) were added to the black strip for an eclectic kind of card, with a slightly modern feel.

Hope Mom's neighbors enjoy this!

Stamps: Homegrown - Stampin' Up! Paper: white, kraft, True Black - Papertrey Ink Accessories & Tools: gold alphabet puffy stickers - Target Dollar Spot; gold sequins - Pretty Pink Posh

Sledding Bunny

Finally, after pining for this little guy for a couple of years, I have the pleasure of playing with Winter Bunny by Lawn Fawn.

Love that long scarf, blowing in the wind! I stamped lots of mini flakes in the air around him from Flourishes Warm Winter Wishes set, using Silver Shadow Ink from Hero Arts.  

The scalloped panel is actually the negative die-cut piece, after cutting out a frame using Embroidered Frames: Dots, by Papertrey Ink. 

After all was said and done, I thought the bunny should have some glittery snow to sled on. I used a Tombow glue pen, then sprinkled on the glitter. I am SO GLAD the image did not bleed or blur after running the glue pen over it! Whew.

Stamps: Winter Bunny - Lawn Fawn; Warm Winter Wishes - Flourishes Paper: white - Papertrey Ink; Ballet Blue - Stampin' Up! Ink: Silver shadow ink - Hero Arts; Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Accessories & Tools: Crystal glitter - Martha Stewart; Copic markers; Sparkling Clear sequins - Pretty Pink Posh; Embroidered Frame - Dots die - Papertrey Ink

For the guys

Hi!  Today I am sharing two cards that have a masculine edge to them.

Many guys I know say their favorite color is blue, so that was my inspiration on this first leafy card. I die-cut leaves using the Tattered Leaves die by Sizzix/Tim Holtz, then stamped over them with some Stampin' Up! and My Favorite Things leaf stamps. You can see veining on the lighter blue leaf, and, well, leaves stamped on the darker leaf.

The sentiment - from Papertrey Ink's Daily Designs Sentiments - actually says "Just for you", but I selectively stamped it using a cocoa marker. The tiny tag is edged with gold. More on that in a moment.

The next card has an autumnal feel to it, as well. I used a tree image from a new-to-me My Favorite Things stamp set called Inspired By Spring. This set is retired, but hey, it's new in my eyes, and I like it a lot. ;-)

You can see the gold-edged circle die cut best in the photo below. Once I found out that an 18k gold leaf pen/marker (Krylon) exists, I had to have it, and love using it.

If you have any questions about materials I've used, please email me or leave a comment. I'll get back to you as soon as possible with an answer!

Thank you for coming by today, and have a great week!

It's all about snowflakes!

Yes, indeed, it's all about snowflakes today, both here on my blog and outside my window!

We had roughly 15-22" of snow here yesterday, thanks to Winter Storm Jonas.  Hard to tell exactly how much snow accumulated because of the drifting. The wind was really whipping, and boy, was it cold up in my attic studio, even with the space heater on full blast.

I thought it appropriate to share some snowflake cards on my blog today in honor of the winter wonderland outside.

I don't have enough time to share a supply list for these cards, but please do email or leave a comment if you have questions about the things I've used.

The Jersey shore got pounded again, a la Superstorm Sandy.  Lots of flooding from Jonas happened, and my heart just sank when I saw images on the news of the water-logged streets there. :-(

Snowbird

Good morning!

We've got ourselves a blizzard coming tonight, so it seems very appropriate to share a Snowbird card post today!

This sweet little bird image is from, ironically enough, Spring Song by Stampin' Up!  He's colored with Copic markers, and topped with a bit of Snow-tex paste, topped with crystal glitter.  

I used a gold leaf pen around the edges of the scalloped oval die cut -- can you see it?  Maybe it's better here....

I'm glad this snowstorm - Jonas - is happening during the weekend so as not to affect work and school for most.  My kids are not happy about it; they'd rather miss some school!  I plan to bake cookies (fingers crossed we don't lose power due to heavy snow on power lines), light my Yankee Candles, and make cards. :-D  That's close to heaven for me.

Stamps: Spring Song - Stampin' Up! Paper: white, kraft - Papertrey Ink; Soft Suede, Close to Cocoa - Stampin' Up!; pattern - Calisto - Anna Griffin Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko; Antique Linen - Ranger Fibers: red, kraft twine - American Crafts Accessories & Tools: red gems - Queen & Co.; Branch punch - Martha Stewart; Snowtex paste; Copic markers; scalloped oval die - Spellbinders; 18k Gold Leaf marker - Krylon; Crystal glitter - Martha Stewart; snowflake die cut border - K & Co.

Orange you glad I'm thinking of you?

Hello my friends!  This card is quite clean and simple: I'm on a CAS roll so far this week, here on my blog. :-)  Just getting around to posting things from months ago.

All this white reminds me that we are expecting a bit of snow this coming weekend.  I love snow! It's a beautiful blanket for the earth. It makes me want to get all comfy and cozy inside my little home, my sanctuary.  

I used Sizzix Flower Layers & Leaves to create the orange blossom, and topped it with an orange gem.  I do not have any banner dies, so created my own, using a patterned paper scrap from Stampin' Up!, backed with gray cardstock.  The sentiment is from Power Poppy.  Have you stopped by Power Poppy before? The design team's creations are AMAZING. Marcella Hawley, chief of PP, is one classy, down to earth, fresh-spirited, talented, generous, funny lady.  I am in awe of her. :-)

Thanks for coming by today.  Have yourself a beautiful, wonderful, blessed day, friends!

Stamps: Dynamic Duos: Peonies & Tulips - Power Poppy Paper: Basic Gray, Pumpkin Pie, pattern - Stampin' Up!; white - Papertrey Ink Accessories & Tools: Flower Layers & Leaves dies - Sizzix; orange gem - Recollections

Yellow Roses

Hello, friends!

Another simple birthday card to share today (yesterday's card was similar) using a few of my favorite things:

pearls, anything Anna Griffin, a bit of K & Co., and a clean design, to make my heart happy. :-)

A little bit about yellow roses....

Long associated with the sun and its life-giving warmth, yellow is the age-old spokes-color for warm feelings of friendship and optimism. In many Eastern cultures, the color represents joy, wisdom and power. But while any yellow flower will send a lighthearted message, the history of the yellow rose in particuar has an optimistic, serendipitous character that really makes it the complete package.

By the 18th century the worldwide love of roses was in full swing, but they were only cultivated in shades of pink and white. At last, the elusive yellow rose was discovered growing wild in the Middle East, and the European love affair with yellow roses was born. The early yellow rose lacked the sweet scent for which the rose is famous, however, which was not to be tolerated. So, as cultivation methods were developed and refined, the beloved sweet-and-spicy rose scent was soon introduced and the yellow rose achieved all its optimistic and aromatic glory.

{source}

Stamps: sentiment - Blessings - Verve Paper: patterns - Julianne - K & Co.; Sahara Sand - Stampin' Up! Accessories & Tools: yellow rose sticker - Anna Griffin; pearls - Recollections; corner rounder, Postage Stamp border punches  - Fiskars

Magnolia and Finch

Hello everyone! 

I'm sharing a rather simple card today for someone who loves magnolias.

It doesn't need much explanation!  A large sentiment (Papertrey Ink) paired with magnolia-patterned paper and a magnolia/finch sticker from K & Co., a few gems thrown in for good measure, and that's it.  This was made months ago (um, August, I believe), and I can tell from the composition that I was short on time that day. :-)  That's a telling sign with my cards:  if they are fairly simple, I was short on time or short on brain cells (aka, exhausted), guaranteed.  

Stamps: Think Big Favorites #12 - Papertrey Ink Paper: Julianne pattern - K & Co; Sahara Sand - Stampin' Up!; Vintage Cream - Papertrey Ink Accessories & Tools: bird/magnolia sticker - K & Co.; pearls, bronze gem - Recollections

Hello, Yellow {butterflies}

Hello!

It will be a while before I see real butterflies in my backyard, so I pulled out the paper version and made a card.

Shades of yellow and green remind me of spring or summer.  And these Mossy Green sequins from Pretty Pink Posh are so, well, pretty!  I think it might be the first time I've used this sequin color.

This card came together quite easily, thanks to a $1.00 Scrap Bag from my Stampin' Up! demonstrator: the patterned papers and die-cut butterflies play nicely together.  I added machine stitching, and the sequins, Liquid Pearls, and a sentiment from Altenew.

“I almost wish we were butterflies and liv'd but three summer days - three such days with you I could fill with more delight than fifty common years could ever contain.” 
― John Keats, Bright Star: Love Letters and Poems of John Keats to Fanny Brawne (source)

Stamps: Label Love - Altenew Paper: patterns, Daffodil Delight - Stampin' Up!; kraft - Papertrey Ink Ink: Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko Fibers: thread Accessories & Tools: Beautiful Butterflies Bigz dies - Sizzix/Stampin' Up!; Mossy Green sequins - Pretty Pink Posh; sewing machine, thread; pale yellow Liquid Pearls - Ranger; corner rounder punch - Fiskars

Kitty Sympathy

A dear friend of mine was saddened in the fall because her family's beloved pet had passed away, and so I made a card for her.

Can't remember now if I sent her a white version, or a dove gray version. (Ha. My memory isn't what it used to be!)

In both versions, I used the Memory Box Small Gothic Window die to create a perch for kitty (Large Sitting Cat / Memory Box) to look outside. I cut 5 window arches, all out of white cardstock, and then glued them to one another in a stack. Love that technique of creating a sturdy, dimensional die cut.

The "outdoor" scene is from Lovely As A Tree by Stampin' Up!, colored with Copic markers.

My friend's cat was gray, and so I die-cut the paper kitty out of a pretty gray pattern.  Trying to keep the details meaningful for the recipient. :-)

Thank you so much for joining me!

Stamps: Words of Comfort - Papertrey Ink; Lovely As A Tree - Stampin' Up! Paper: gray pattern - Recollections; Soft Stone, white - Papertrey Ink Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Accessories & Tools: Copic markers; Large Sitting Cat, Small Gothic Window dies - Memory Box

Leaf Cluster

Happy Monday!  I hope you had a good weekend.

Today, I am sharing an all-occasion card that uses coffee filters. :-) 

I truly enjoy making leaves with the Tattered Leaves die by Sizzix/Tim Holtz and coffee filter paper (fresh, unused). The paper is thin, with a crinkly texture that lends a neat feel to the leaves. After die-cutting them, I laid them on a large piece of cardboard and spritzed various hues of Distress Ink sprays on them. Love seeing what colors emerge from this haphazard application. ;-)

One of the sprays has a bronze metallic tint to it, which is best seen in the photo above.

Thanks so much for coming by, and have a blessed week!

Paper: Chocolate Chip texture, Rich Razzleberry - Stampin' Up!; coffee filters - Melitta; gold pattern Ink: various Distress Ink sprays - Ranger; Bronze spray - Tattered Angels Fibers: burgundy hemp twine - Stampin' Up!; taupe hemp twine - Hemptique Accessories & Tools: Tattered Leaves die - Sizzix/Tim Holtz; oval die - Spellbinders

Vintage Santa

Happy Weekend!

I've still got a handful of Christmas cards from my 2015 Collection to share with you, and this is one of them.  I do love a vintage vibe, and this one's got it goin' on. My inspiration piece was this Santa die cut from Bo Bunny.  I added some stamped snowflakes from Winter Post / Stampin' Up!, and a sentiment tag from the same set.

Add to that some punched greenery and "berries", buttons and lace, a bit of an old book page....lovely little things to up the vintage pizzazz.

I am getting closer to starting an Etsy shop of my own. It's one of my goals for 2016 (hopefully sooner than later!). I'll be sure to announce it here on my blog when it's open for business!

Thanks for coming by here today.  Have a blessed day!

Stamps: snowflake, tag - Winter Post - Stampin' Up! Paper: vintage book paper; Creamy Caramel, Very Vanilla, Mellow Moss - SU; pattern - Holly Jolly - My Mind's Eye (I think!) Ink: Close to Cocoa, Soft Suede - Stampin' Up!; Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko Fibers: crochet trim - Hero Arts; twine - May Arts; vintage thread Accessories & Tools: Branch punch - Martha Stewart; red gems - Recollections; Designer Label punch - Stampin' Up!; buttons; Santa die cut tag - Bo Bunny