Quick & Easy Monogrammed Gift Set

Our wonderful neighbors helped us out by

watching our cat while we were away last summer.  I made a set of monogrammed note cards for them, using patterned paper from K & Co., and a monogram stamp set from JustRite.  I'm not so sure this stamp set is available anymore, to be honest with you.

I like the fancy font of the monogram, surrounded by the flourishes. If I could do this set of cards over again, I'd stamp the monogram letter in black, to make it stand out more.

Thanks for taking a peek today!  Be blessed! 

Stamps: Special Occasions Stampers kit - JustRite Paper: Vintage Cream - Papertrey Ink; patterns - Julianne - K & Co.; Mellow Moss, Bordering Blue - Stampin' Up! Ink: Mellow Moss, Bordering Blue - Stampin' Up! Accessories & Tools: corner rounder punch - Fiskars; Fleur De Lis Motifs, circle dies - Spellbinders

Hills of snow...made of words

Hello there.  :-)  Back before Christmas, I had a thought:  what if I made a snowy scene from an old book page?

Snowflakes were added, as well as some teeny little sentiments from Papertrey Ink's Tag-Its #8.

I already had the Patterned Pines trees stamped and trimmed from a previous project, so they were included in the mix.  Topaz-colored gemstones decorate them.

It *is* rather dirty looking snow, though, isn't it?  Ha ha!

Stamps: Patterned Pines - Stampin' Up!; star - O Christmas Tree - JustRite; snowflakes, sentiments - Tag-Its #8 - Papertrey Ink Paper: vintage book page; kraft, Vintage Cream - Papertrey Ink; white Ink: Chocolate Chip, Handsome Hunter - SU; Antique Linen, Walnut Stain - Ranger Fibers: gold twine - SU; chocolate twine - American Crafts Accessories & Tools: topaz rhinestones - Queen & Co; gold sheer paint - Martha Stewart; Tiny Tags dies - Papertrey Ink

Homespun Christmas

Hello again!  Between the traditional Christmas colors of red and green, paired with some plaid, today's share has a cozy, homespun feel to it.

The Just Rite O Christmas Tree was stamped on a vintage book page and backed with a bit of scrap cardstock to keep it stiff.  Sequin ornaments are scattered about, and die cut border trims from K & Co. are behind the tree.  A sentiment from Holiday Sentiments / Inspired By Stamping was embossed in gold.

A tiny punched star received a coat of gold Smooch ink, and tops the tree.

Plaid is not my favorite, so I'm not sure how much I'm loving this card.  Just sayin'.  ;-)

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Stamps: O Christmas Tree - Just Rite; Holiday Sentiments - Inspired By Stamping 

The Bridal Collection - Part 1

I am sharing Part One of my Bridal Collection, as delivered recently to A Beautiful Touch in Westmont, New Jersey.  Weeks ago, I approached the store owner about carrying my cards in her shop.  She received my creations with enthusiasm, and together we are embarking on an experiment.  We want to see if her customers will be interested to buy cards for the shower and wedding gifts sold in the posh, beautiful store (almost makes me wish I was getting married right now!  the things she carries are exquisite.). Keeping my fingers crossed that they will be a hit!

Here are a few that I brought in:

I used a much-neglected set, JustRite's Damask Borders, for my sentiment and frame.  I picked up some pins from Dritz in the notion section of our JoAnn Fabric & Craft Store.  The pack contained many colors of pearl-topped pins.  Perfect for such a fancy card!  (and the price was terrific, too)

The next card features one of my favorite older Stampin' Up! sets, Blooming With Happiness.  I love, love, love that floral dress.

I used Cameo Beige seam binding (Hug Snug, from Zipper Stop).  Got it for Christmas, and the soft creamy vanilla shade is perfect for so many of my cards.

And last, something for the bride that honeymoons in Paris (or just has a 'thing' for it, as I do):

Had a snippet of Stampin' Up! lace on hand, and tied it around a twine bow.

I used another beloved SU stamp, Bella Toile background, to give interest to my kraft card base.  The sentiment is from Papertrey Ink, Happily Ever After -  another Christmas goody.  Chunky glass glitter covers a punched heart.

I was pretty excited to show these cards to you, and I do have more.  Will need to do another installment of the Bridal Collection so this post doesn't go on forever!

Card #1

Stamps: Damask Borders - JustRite Paper: Vintage Cream, white - PTI; patterns - SU Ink: Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko; Antique Linen - Ranger Fibers: lace; ivory ribbon - Stamp Simply Ribbon Store Accessories & Tools: paper flowers - IBS; circles, Floral Doily dies - Spellbinders; White Opal Liquid Pearls - Ranger; doily - Wilton; pink pearl pins - Dritz

Card #2

Stamps: Blooming with Happiness - SU Paper: white - PTI; patterns - SU Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko; Antique Linen - Ranger Fibers: Cameo Beige seam binding - Hug Snug - Zipper Stop Accessories & Tools: Copic markers; White Opal Liquid Pearls - Ranger; doily - Wilton; pearls - Queen & Co.; circle die - Spellbinders

Card #3

Stamps: Bella Toile - SU; Happily Ever After - PTI Paper: kraft - PTI; Lost & Found Madison Avenue - My Mind's Eye Ink: Crumb Cake - SU; Frayed Burlap - Ranger; Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko Fibers: lace - SU; twine - Creative Impressions Accessories & Tools: White Opal Liquid Pearls - Ranger; Doily Lace punch - Martha Stewart; oval die - Spellbinders; Heart to Heart punch, Champagne glass glitter - SU

Christmas, Bring It On Home!

LOTS to show today, lots to show!  It's the day before Christmas, and I'm cramming in the last Christmas cards of 2013.

Up first, one for hubby:

I gold-embossed a beautiful word tree from O Christmas Tree (JustRite) and gave it a tree-topper made of twine and a pearl.  Hubby knows to expect pearls and some feminine touches on the cards I give him.  It's just what I do.  ;-)

Instead of mounting the lace trim on vanilla colored cardstock, I slipped a thin strip of black underneath.  It creates a bit more shadow.  The tree trunk is a bit of burlap I rescued from a ruined art project of my daughter's (wet basements - ugh).

One for the shop:  a mistletoe card for someone's sweetheart.  It's pretty straightforward, and uses an Inspired By Stamping sentiment.

Up next, a Christmas card for the employees of Arts Plus Gallery, where I sell my cards.  They are the kindest folks, and I am grateful they give artists a beautiful place to sell their handcrafted wares.

I used modern snowflakes (made from little Christmas trees!) from Verve's Christmas Is In The Air.  They were stamped full-strength in kraft ink, then stamped off for a lighter effect.   I used a dab of Platinum Stickles in the center of each.  Linking this up to Verve's Diva Dare "Favorites" challenge.  :-)

Here's a cute, happy snowman for my sweetest 12 year old daughter.  She's got a personality to match this card.

The colors in this beautiful wreath were my inspiration:

Photo source

I used Flourishes' Warm Winter Wishes, a set I was fortunate to win a few years back, and a sentiment from Verve.  Plenty of icy glitter found its way onto this, too!

I'm putting this card in the Merry Monday challenge:  use an animal on your card (I've got the bird).  The deadline was extended until 1/5/14, so I can play!  Yay!

Originally, I was planning to give this last card to my husband.  It's just not really 'him', though, so I made the card that you saw at the top of this post instead.

Been a while since I dusted off Stampin' Up!'s Branch Out set, and I really do love it.  It makes cards that are perfect for any season.  I used Iridescent Ice embossing powder, also from SU, to create some drifting snowflakes.  The sentiment is from Flourishes.

Have I mentioned before that white seam binding, to me, is like the ubiquitous little black dress?  I LOVE using it on so many projects.  It creates soft bows that flatten nicely for mailing, but still looks good when  arriving to its destination.  I get mine from Zipper Stop.  The 100-yard roll lasts and lasts and lasts, and the price is great, too.  They offer, like, a million colors.  But white...well, it goes with most everything.

Friends, I wish you the Merriest Christmas and the Happiest New Year.  May your holidays be filled with wonder, love, blessings, and perhaps a few crafty trinkets.  ;-)

Crafting and blogging make my heart happy and I would be here even if no one ever came by.  It's gratifying to know that other eyeballs see what I make, though.  Thank you so much for your visits and comments throughout 2013.  I truly appreciate you.

See you all in 2014!

Card #1 - Christmas Tree in Gold

Stamps: O Christmas Tree - JustRite Paper: Vintage Cream, white - PTI; Lost & Found Madison Square - My Mind's Eye; Chocolate Chip, Basic Black - SU Ink: Versamark - Tsukineko Fibers: burlap; twine - Creative Impressions; lace crochet trim - Hero Arts Accessories & Tools: pearl - Queen & Co.

Card #2 - Mistletoe

Stamps: Christmas Greetings - Inspired By Stamping Paper: white - PTI; Garden Green - SU Ink: Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko Accessories & Tools: Branch with Leaves - Sizzix; pearls - Queen & Co.; corner rounder punch - Fiskars

Card #3 - Mod Snowflakes

Stamps: Christmas Is In The Air - Verve Paper: Very Vanilla - SU Ink: Crumb Cake - SU; Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko Fibers: white seam binding - Hug Snug Accessories & Tools: Platinum Stickles - Ranger

Card #4 - Happy Snowman

Stamps: Warm Winter Wishes - Flourishes; Winter Mittens - Verve Paper: Tempting Turquoise, patterns - SU; white - PTI Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko; Night of Navy - SU Fibers: white satin ribbon - Nicole Accessories & Tools: iridescent glitter; Copic markers

Card #5 - Bare Tree Christmas

Stamps: Branch Out - SU; Warm Winter Wishes - Flourishes Paper: Chocolate Chip, Soft Sky, pattern - SU; white - PTI Ink: Versamark - Tsukineko; Chocolate Chip, Riding Hood Red, Baja Breeze, Basic Gray - SU Fibers: white seam binding - Hug Snug Accessories & Tools: rhinestone brad, Iridescent Ice embossing powder - SU

Christmas Star

This is my second post for today.  Please scroll down one post

or click HERE for 'Heart of Flowers.'

I managed to squeeze in a little more crafty time today, and made a Christmas card so that I can play in the Merry Monday Challenge:

Here is the sketch:

These tiny pennant stamps are from a Just Rite set called O Christmas Tree, which I bought from Overstock.com several months ago.  I stamped, colored and trimmed each one out, then glued them to the back of some nested circle dies.  The snowflake is from the same set.

The black punched wide border needed a little somethin' extra, so I added a piece of retired specialty paper from Stampin' Up!.  It's matte black and high gloss black stripes.  And please don't look too closely at the coloring of those tiny pennants:  my vision has changed, and I cannot see close-up so well anymore, even with my contacts.  ;-)  Time for those magnifying glasses!

Thanks for coming by today, and thanks to those of you who left such lovely comments on my Heart of Flowers card (next post down).  It makes my heart happy to read what you have to say!



Dimensions: 4.25" x 5.5"
Stamps: O Christmas Tree - Just Rite; Holiday Sayings - Hero Arts; Punched Tin - Market Street Stamps
Paper: Sahara Sand, Basic Black, black patterned - SU; white - PTI
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black, Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko; Sahara Sand - SU
Fibers: white cotton twill (from packaging); red sheer ribbon
Other: pearls; circle dies - Spellbinders; Copic markers; Lattice Edge punch - Martha Stewart

Merry Mondays - O Christmas Tree

Warning:  long, wordy post.  I just have so much to share!  If you want to skip right down to the card, please be my guest!

Good Monday to you!  For those of you celebrating Mother's Day in the US, did you enjoy your special day?

My hubby and I went to a sold-out Red Hot Chili Peppers concert on Friday night, my first concert in at least 15 years.  It was FANTASTIC!  I do love that band, and it was a big thrill to see them perform live.  It sounds weird, but it felt like a private concert...for several thousand people.  ;-)  We had terrific seats in a box, with easy access to drinks, food and bathroom.  Now THAT is how you do a concert!

On Saturday and Sunday, DH and I worked really, really hard on our backyard.  We dug up many plants that we don't want to keep, relocated some, and tilled the soil with manure and peat.  I filled and hauled at least 20 wheelbarrows full of topsoil from one end of the yard to another (hubby did way more than I did, too).  Today, DH planted 6 ft tall Emerald arborvitae plants (tall privacy hedges) along the back fence.  We still need to buy a couple more.  I've been wanting privacy out back since we moved here 15 years ago.  Our backyard is just like a fishbowl, with neighbors on all sides, able to see our every move in the backyard.  I'm going to feel more at peace now with this modicum of privacy!  When I get some pics taken, I'll be sure to show you.

I received my copy of Card Creations by Paper Crafts magazine on Friday, and found my pink-and-kraft sympathy card on page 137.  Hooray!  It's a big issue, just FULL of inspiration, I'm tellin' ya.  I've been poring over it a little bit each night before bed.

News that has made me incredibly happy and kept me insanely busy:  a local boutique that features handmade items has asked me to put my cards on consignment in their shop!  I'm so excited!  There are a few little finishing touches that each of my (hundred+) cards need before they can be put on sale, so that has me working hard.  There is a street fair taking place Memorial Day weekend on the same street as the shop, and they get good foot traffic then.  The owner wants me to have my things in the shop in time for this event.

DD has Confirmation, a birthday, and 8th grade graduation all stacked up within several weeks of each other, and I'm just feeling a tad overwhelmed. ;o)  It's allllll good, though!

Okay, time for a card!
How is this for a nice easy Christmas sketch at Merry Mondays?  It's my second week as a Featured Designer and I can't wait to show you what I made!

I used a new stamp set, bought at Overstock.com, by JustRite.  It's already gone from that store!  You really need to act fast on Overstock.

As in last week's post for Merry Mondays, I used only papers from my $1 Stampin' Up! Scrap Bags (from my demo).  Doing these challenges gives me the PERFECT reason to use them!

This star is from the same JustRite set, and I gave it some shimmer with Autumn Wheat paint from Creative Inspirations.

I love how this word tree looks embossed in gold!

Now check out what the rest of the Merry Monday Merry Makers have done:

Lesley Croghan

LeAnne Pugliese

Nina Forsyth

Wendy Aungst

Why don't you join us?  Link your creation up HERE by noon on Sunday (PDT).  I hope to see you there!

And if you read all the way to the bottom of this post, bless your heart!  Have a great day!



Dimensions: 4.25" x 5.5"
Stamps: O Christmas Tree - JustRite
Paper: Very Vanilla, Always Artichoke, Cherry Cobbler, patterned papers - SU
Ink: Versamark, Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko; Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap - Ranger
Fibers: cream lace - Spare Parts
Other: gold embossing powder, heat tool, markers - SU;  Autumn Wheat paint - Creative Inspirations Paints; Infinite Loops double edge punch - Martha Stewart; pearl - Queen & Co.
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Box O' Cards Birthday Gift

Okay, this is it for the monogrammed birthday cards for my MIL.  I LOVE how it all turned out; I hope she does too!

This was the final set I created yesterday, using all scraps (except for the card bases).  It makes me super-happy to use up scraps; I feel clever and creative and thrifty all at once!

The card looked too bare with just a circle monogram and its Sahara Sand mat, so I used my Fancy Tags Spellbinders dies underneath that.  Love how that looks!

And this is  the entire monogrammed series I made this week:

This project was so much fun for me, and certainly a labor of love.  I couldn't ask for a better mother-in-law, and she deserves every extra effort.  She is a kind, classy, Christian lady who loves my children and my husband beyond belief.  And she's a gourmet cook, to boot!  It's always a pleasure to be in her company.

Thanks for joining me, and may you have a blessed day!

Colleen

Stamps:  JustRite Monogram set and Damask Borders
Paper:  Whisper White, Certainly Celery, retired SU dp, Sahara Sand, So Saffron
Ink:  Certainly Celery
Punches:  1 3/4" circle, Lattice Edge border by Martha Stewart
Other:  Big Shot, Fancy Tags by Spellbinders, dimensionals