Sending Christmas Love

Happy Weekend!  I'm cranking out the Christmas cards as best I can, since I need to send some from my family, as well as for my stash at the arts gallery, where I sell my cards.  

Finally got to play with some new-to-me DeNami goodies that I won months ago.  The snowflake was stamped in red, then colored in with kraft and white markers.  I also dotted some areas with Liquid Pearls.

The sentiment panel is lopped off one side, and I rather like how this looks.  Can't take credit for the idea:  I've been poring over the pages of Card Creations by Paper Crafts Magazine.  I get SO much inspiration there!

My inspiration comes from these challenges:

• DeNami sketch #14 - I turned the sketch and took a little liberty with the sentiment placement

• Pals Paper Arts - 'A Classy Color Challenge'

Thanks for dropping in today!



Dimensions: 4.25" x 5.5"
Stamps: Sending You Love, Ornamental Centerpiece - DeNami
Paper: Crumb Cake, Riding Hood Red, Very Vanilla - SU; white - PTI
Ink: Riding Hood Red - SU; Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Fibers: red ribbon; twine - Creative Impressions
Other: white gel pen; red rhinestone - Queen & Co.; White Opal Liquid Pearls - Ranger; Grommet Tags die - Spellbinders; Crumb Cake marker - SU

Violette France

This is my second post for today.  Please 

click HERE for a Fleur de Lis Anniversary.

My friend Audrey, aka audreyann in the Splitcoast galleries, was chosen as Queen For The Day (a week-long honor) over there.  They've already chosen a new queen, so I am late, but really wanted to play along for my pal.  Audrey makes THE most amazing cards.  She is a talented, gifted paper-crafter, and sweet as heck to boot.  I chose THIS card of Audrey's to CASE.  I used the same layout and a similar embossing folder on my version.

I used a new-to-me stamp from the Hampton Art/Graphic 45 set, Olde Curiosity.  When I visited the Houston area in early October, I picked this set up from Hobby Lobby.  Man, we NEED a Hobby Lobby in the South Jersey area!!  What an awesome store.

I stamped the bottle first, then the label.  The set is neat 'cause you can mix and match bottles and labels.  After coloring it, I sprinkled clear glitter on the 'glass' sections and added a tiny twine bow.  The velvet ribbon is my new addiction, too.  It's from May Arts and feels so soft and luxurious.  You'll be seeing more of it from me!

I'm entering this at Simon Says Stamp and Show:  Inspiration Francaise.

On a personal note, yesterday I spent hours weeding through our closets and cupboards to gather donations for the victims of Hurricane Sandy.  In my little town alone, there are donation drives all OVER the place, with people driving buses, trucks and cars filled with needed supplies to the hard-hit areas.  It makes me feel good inside to share what I have with folks who lost everything.  My heart aches for them.



Dimensions: 4.25" x 5.5"
Stamps: Olde Curiosity - Graphic 45/Hampton Art; Kind Words - Verve
Paper: Whisper White, Crumb Cake - SU
Ink: Antique Linen, Frayed Burlap - Ranger; Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko
Fibers: twine - Creative Impressions; gray velvet - May Arts
Other: Infinite Loops punch - Martha Stewart; pearl; Copic markers; Floral Ovals die - Spellbinders; Ornate Flourish embossing folder - The Paper Studio

Fleur de Lis Anniversary & IBS News

Hello!  Just popping in with a card for a couple of challenges:  Moxie Fab World's Canvas, Cork and Burlap challenge and Simon Says Stamp and Show:  'Inspiration Francaise'.  You know I like French-themed cards, so here's another!

This is an anniversary card for my inventory at the shop.  I know *I'd* buy this in a heart beat, and am hoping someone else will!

I created the sentiment and design inside with Fancy Sentiments, All Year Wishes I, and Paris sets from Inspired By Stamping.

Love this little chipboard fleur-de-lis from Michael's.  I distressed it with inks and placed it atop a piece of canvas that I die cut with a Spellbinders scalloped circle die.  Like my Miss Manners book page? ;-)

There's news to share over at Inspired By Stamping's new challenge site:

Do you want to be a Month-Long Guest Designer with the Inspired by Stamping Girls?

Here is what you have to do…Play in our challenge the month of November and “Wow” us with your beautiful card or project!

The winner will be chosen at the end of this month and will be our month long guest designer for the month of January! Plus, they will receive two 4×6 stamp sets from the Inspired by Stamping Store to create with during this month!

Pretty sweet deal, huh?  I hope you'll give our challenge a try.  Click HERE for the challenge.

During November and December, IBS is offering special shipping rates:
NEW International Shipping Rates for November and December!

All shipping is ONLY $5 when ordering between $1 - $75! 
Free Shipping for orders over $75! 


Hope you have a wonderful weekend, everyone!



Dimensions: 5" x 5"
Stamps: Fancy Sentiments, All Year Wishes I, Paris - Inspired By Stamping
Paper: Very Vanilla, Chocolate Chip - SU; dotted pattern (?); book page
Ink: Whisper White, Wild Wasabi - SU; Walnut Stain - Ranger
Fibers: canvas - AC Moore; brown satin ribbon
Other: Fleur de Lis Square, Scallop Circle dies - Spellbinders; pearls - Paper Studio; chipboard fleur de lis - Michaels

Thinking Of Neutrals

Today is our town's official Halloween day for trick or treating (it was rescheduled due to Hurricane Sandy), and I'm about to go out with my youngest daughter (the older one wouldn't dare go out with Mom!).  Before I head out, I want to share a card.

I used a bit of wine bottle cork for a challenge at Moxie Fab World, and wiped it haphazardly with vanilla and white craft inks.

The green leaf tucked in the cluster is from a Tea Forte tea infuser, which is the coolest looking thing!  Not only do these teas taste AMAZING, but the packaging is pretty cool, too.  Oprah is apparently a big fan.  We received a box of them as a gift in Hawaii from my husband's company.  Each night, there'd be a special gift awaiting us on our bed.  We got some pretty awesome stuff....including an iPad.  Yup.

I added tiny pearls to the button.  You know me, I always love to add a pearl somewhere!

Challenges entered:

• Moxie Fab World - Canvas, Cork and Burlap Challenge
• Inspired By (a challenge by Laurel Seabrook) - use the inspiration pic below. I focused on the texture of the basket, and the colors of course, and the fuzzy blanket/sweater.

• CR84FN - color palette of gray, tan and cream

Thank you all so much for coming by.  Your visits make me happy!

Dimensions: 4.25" x 5.5"
Stamps: Kind Words - Verve
Paper: Crumb Cake - SU
Ink: Whisper White, Very Vanilla - SU; Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Fibers: gray velvet ribbon - May Arts; gray fancy fiber - retired SU
Other: wine cork; button; pearls; flower - Inspired By Stamping; Double Loop punch - Martha Stewart; Herringbone embossing folder - Cuttlebug; corner rounder punch - EK Success; leaf - Tea Forte tea bag

Peace On Earth

I love the purity of an all-white card.   It reminds me of so many good things in life:  freshly-fallen snow, a little girl's dainty eyelet dress, a lavish bridal gown, a new beginning.

With the sad, tragic aftermath of  Hurricane Sandy affecting millions of people (whether they directly lost something or someone, or indirectly feel the effects), the sentiment on my card today reflects my inner thoughts and wishes:

Here's hoping that all who were in the path of the hurricane may have a fresh beginning.

Challenges entered:

• Really Reasonable Ribbon - Winter Holiday w/ribbon
• Christmas Card Challenges - Pop It Up
• Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes
• Crafter's Corner - use dies/punches and stamping

Thanks for coming to visit today, and may your day be blessed with good things.  :-)



Dimensions: 4.25" x 5.5"
Stamps: Festive Frames - Inspired By Stamping
Paper: white - PTI
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Fibers: white seam binding - Zipper Stop; gray ribbon
Other: Persian Motif, Ribbon Banners dies - Spellbinders;  Arctic Snowflake punch - Martha Stewart; White Opal Liquid Pearls - Ranger; button; Perfect Polka Dots embossing folder - SU

Lavender Birthday - Inspired By Stamping #33

Hello!  I'm playing in the Inspired By Stamping sketch challenge this week, and I adore the layout.

I made a feminine birthday card using a sentiment from Graceful Hydrangeas.  The fancy stuff behind the birthday panel are two flourishes from Parisian Motifs dies, assembled end-to-end.

This Crochet Tape is from the IBS store, too.  It's a breeze to use, and saves me the extra step of applying adhesive myself.

We'd love for you to come play with us, too!  I hope I see you there.  :-)
Have a beautiful day!



Dimensions: 4.25" x 5.5"
Stamps: Graceful Hydrangeas - Inspired By Stamping
Paper: Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake - SU; Chateau Lavender matstack - DCWV
Ink: Frayed Burlap - Ranger; Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Fibers: Cream Lace Tape - Inspired By Stamping; khaki gingham ribbon
Other: pearls; Big Shot; Parisian Motifs, Labels Eighteen dies - Spellbinders

Peace, Love, Joy

On Monday, while I crafted to the sounds of Hurricane Sandy blowing outside my window, I made two of these cards.  They've helped me use up some paper scraps.

I challenged myself to use things from the $1.00 Scrap Bags I get from my Stampin' Up! demo.  These patterned paper strips came with the pinked edges.  I lined them up on a scrap of Old Olive cardstock so that the negative areas resulted in little triangles.

I had to laugh at myself as I made these cards.  Don't most of us have never-ending piles of scraps from card-making or scrapbooking?  And here I am, buying bags of.....more scraps.  LOL  I must be a nut case!

I'm entering this in Pixie's Crafty Snippets challenge for week #44.

Thanks so much for coming over!



Dimensions: 4.25" x 5.5"
Stamps: Many Merry Messages, Merry Christmas Trees - Hero Arts
Paper: Very Vanilla, Old Olive, assorted patterned strips - SU
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko
Fibers: red satin ribbon
Other: Copic markers

A Burlap Tree

Hello friends!  I am thankful that Hurricane Sandy spared my family grief and destruction.  We came away with nothing to fix, mop up, pump out or file an insurance claim for.  I know we are blessed, and my heart goes out to those who have been affected by Sandy.  The devastation I see on TV makes me cringe.  The Jersey shore took a real beating.  :-(  Our poor Jersey beach folks have been hit so hard.  There is a zoo in Cape May NJ, and being a big-time animal lover, my thoughts have been on those creatures since before the hurricane arrived.  I've seen nothing on the news about them.

Since school's been closed, I just sat and crafted my heart out.  I made 7 Christmas cards, one of which I'm showing today.

I stamped a scripted tree image from Hero Arts' Merry Christmas Trees onto some burlap ribbon and trimmed out.  It's backed with cardstock for stability and propped up with foam dimensionals.  The star is from Just Rite's O Christmas Tree, and I topped it with a yellow gem stone.

I am entering three challenges:

• The Moxie Fab World Paper Crafting Tips & Tricks 'Canvas, Cork & Burlap' challenge
• Sparkle Creations Weekly Christmas Card Challenge:  Pop It Up

and also at

• CASE Study.  Their muse is Julia Stainton (one of my favorite designers) and this is the inspiration card from Julia:

I took my cue from Julia's vertical elements and her white/green/kraft colors.  I'm hoping (still) to be a guest designer at CASE Study, and am throwing my hat in the ring for a chance.

Can't wait to show you my other cards, but I'll wait until tomorrow to post another.

Thanks SO much for your thoughts, good wishes and prayers regarding the storm.  It feels good to know someone cares!



Dimensions: 4.25" x 5.5"
Stamps: Merry Christmas Trees, Many Merry Messages - Hero Arts; O Christmas Tree - Just Rite
Paper: white - PTI; Basic Black - SU
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko
Fibers: twine - Creative Impressions; burlap ribbon
Other: yellow gem, red and green pearls - Queen & Co.; Copic markers

Twin Boys

My cousin asked me to make a card for a christening she'll attend soon, for twin boys.  She liked THIS card of mine, and requested a similar one.

This was the most appropriate sentiment I had for a christening, and used a cross inside with the words, "Celebrate Today".

I'm scheduling this post ahead, since I don't know if we'll have power after this hurricane blows through.

Thanks for coming by today!



Dimensions: 4.25" x 5.5"
Stamps: Wedding - Hampton Art; Oh, Baby! and Delicate Doilies II - Inspired By Stamping
Paper: white - PTI; Garden Party, Nana's Nursery Boy - DCWV
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko; Summer Sun - SU
Fibers: Lemondrop twine - The Twinery

Elegant Thanks

After church today, I made a card for the Play Date Cafe challenge, while I still have power.  Hurricane Sandy is a-comin', and we've done all we can do in preparation for her.  I'll enjoy my electricity for now.  :-)

The colors are mint, gold and leather.  So pretty!  I remembered I had bought a package of little paper flowers from Hobby Lobby when I visited the Houston area a few weeks ago.  The colors of the blossoms fit very well with the challenge.  The ribbon is vintage, from my sweet grandmother.

Thanks so much for visiting me here.  Time is precious, and it makes my heart happy to know you gave me some of your time.  Hugs!



Dimensions: 4.25" x 5.5"
Stamps: Mehdni Medallions - Wplus9
Paper: Very Vanilla - SU
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black - Tsukineko
Fibers: vintage satin ribbon
Other: Big Shot; Ornate Flowers, Leaves and Twirls embossing folder - Sizzix; paper flowers - The Paper Studio; pearls

CAS Christmas

I took full advantage of crafting time yesterday and made two whole cards - whoo hoo!  If I wasn't such a slow card maker, it would have been more.  ;)

This clean and classy Christmas card is being entered in two challenges, which are my inspiration:

• CAS-ual Fridays - Kraft On - include kraft on your project
• CAS(E) this Sketch! - Challenge #3

The stars and tree are from a Hero Arts set called Merry Christmas Trees.  I topped my tree with a pearl (what else?).

Hurricane Sandy is headed our way soon (I'm in New Jersey).  Reeealllly hope we don't lose power.  My thoughts are with everyone who will be affected by this big storm.  Hugs!



Dimensions: 4.25" x 5.5"
Stamps: Holiday Sayings, Merry Christmas Trees - Hero Arts
Paper: Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke, Crumb Cake, Whisper White - SU
Ink: Versafine Onyx Black, Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko
Other: Big Shot; Snow Globe embossing folder - Sizzix; pearl - The Paper Studio; doily - Martha Stewart; Copic markers

Home

Lucky for me the Tuesday Trigger challenge at Moxie Fab World is a three-weeker this time 'round.  I intend to play most weeks at MFW, but with life keeping me busy, sometimes I can't get a good idea (and the time to make it materialize) in just a week.

I've seen some awesome cards out there in Blogland based upon this Trigger photo:

I thought and thought and thought about what to do with it.  I do not have house stamps, so had to get more creative.  When I saw a new slew of challenges at MFW, namely the Paper Crafting Tips & Tricks Week:  The Alphabet Stickers Challenge, the idea hit me to use a window die.

The idea was somewhat simpler in my head, but when I put it on paper, it looked too plain.  I embossed, I added a lace curtain, I added an overflowing window box of flowers, I placed a bird atop the blossoms.

These alpha stickers just aren't sitting quite right with me.  Something's amiss.  At some point, I just had to call it 'finished.'

After the hectic week I've had, it's good to be home, and make a card.

Thanks for dropping in!



Dimensions: 4.25" x 5.5"
Stamps: Sending Smiles - Hero Arts
Paper: Orchid Opulence, Perfect Plum, More Mustard, Pink Pirhouette, Pretty in Pink, Lavender Lace, Lovely Lilac, Whisper White - SU
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black - Tsukineko
Fibers: Venise lace
Other: Glitz & Glitter alphabet stickers - Glitz Designs; Alphabet Thickers - American Crafts; yellow Liquid Pearls - Ranger; pearls; Big Shot; Kassi's Brocade embossing folder - Cuttlebug; Window Box, Window, Shutter dies - Memory Box; Flower Trio punch - SU; Copic markers