Friday, October 31, 2014

Mod Squad Challenge It's a Blue Christmas

It's a Blue Christmas at the Mod Squad this week.  I had an idea for a card and a stamp set that I bought last year and have not used yet.  When Flourishes closed their door, I bought quite a few sets and Snow globe, from Joy is in the Air set, was the one for this card. 
First I will show you the card.
 
I used the Turquoise Sea CS and Ink from GKD.  I stamped the leaves with an old stamp set from Stampin Up, with White embossing powder just around the edge.  The bottom of the globe and the snowman, is stamped with black ink.  Then I cut a mask and flecked in snow for this look.  when I was putting the stamp set away, I noticed that there was a "snow" stamp, so I really didn't need to make a mask.  I do like this random effect though.  On the side I added a strip of blue foiled paper. 

You can see the foil paper better in this view.

I started out this year with the idea that I would find an easy, but unique card to make for all of my Christmas cards.  Instead, I have made many different ones.  There are so many ideas out there, who wants to make the same card twice.  Right?
Thanks so much for your visit today, and thanks for any comments that you care to leave.

Thursday, October 30, 2014

Merry Monday Christmas Challenge

           Merry Monday #132 and Simon Says Wednesday
           Snowflakes, Neutral Colors and Dry Embossing!

Well I thought that I would try another challenge for the first time, since I am rocking out Christmas cards.  It is nice to have some direction.  This Challenge wants you to use neutral colors and snowflakes and dry embossing. 
                                        Here is the card that I did using that direction.

 
The base layer is Kraft paper and the top layer is Chocolate Kiss, both GKD
I dry embossed the base with a snowflake folder from Cuttlebug. The top layer is die cut with my new Scalloped Borders Two.  I actually cut two borders and layered one on top of the other.  It looks nice, and I will probably be doing more of that. Next I cut snowflakes form vellum and used Sticky Stuff embossing powder and Ranger Distress Stickles.  I placed a pearl in the center of each one. 
Such a different Christmas in this color, but I think I like it.
 
I will be entering this card in the Simon Says Wednesday Challenge,  anything goes.
 
Thanks as always for stopping by and I do appreciate any comments.
 

Just Us Girls and Simon Says Wednesday Challenge




It's Photo week at JUGS Challenge and take a look at the picture to inspire you.

I have been making Christmas Cards for several weeks now, and just to get a refreshing break, I made a card for this weeks challenge. 

Back  to the fall colors that are so fun to work with, it is a big temptation not to enter.  So right to the card. 



I think that I got everything in the photo into this card.  Lol  The flowers, leaves and pumpkin and gourds too.

Here is the recipe:
GKD cardstock in Sweet Mango and Tomato Soup
Design paper from PTI Autumn Abundance
Flower and leave image and sentiment are from Flourishes, Friendship and Flowers
Pumpkin and Gourd image from Stampin Up set Autumn Harvest
Various dies and 3D copper paint and Brads along with Glossy Accents complete the card.

Take a break from your Christmas card making marathon like I did.  There is still time to enter. 

I am also entering this card in the Simon Says Wednesday Challenge, Anything Goes.

     Thanks so much for your thoughts and comments. 

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Inky Paws Challenge #15 Add a Little Sparkle

For this challenge we are to add a little sparkle, well, that is no problem!  If there is no sparkle on it, there is no Pizzazz! I chose to make a Christmas tag with Newton and the string of lights.  He is so cute all wrapped up in the string.  He is from the stamp set, Newton's Holiday Mischief. 
 


I used the Bookmark Tag from PTI and cut out a larger outline in black CS.  Then added the sparkle with some glitter paper from my stash, and snowflakes punch out of the same paper.  Newton is colored with Copic markers and there are stickles on the lights he is all tangled up in.  I fuzzy cut him out and added the image to the tag.  The sentiment is from the same set. 
Boy, if my camera could only capture the sparkle. 
I am entering this card in the Inky Paws Challenge #15

                                         Inky Paws Challenge #15 - Add a Little Sparkle - Newton's Nook Designs
Thanks for stopping by to take a peek.  I am really working on Christmas Cards and Tags this year. 

Make It Monday #186: Partial Die Stamping

Make It Monday #186: Partial Die Stamping
 
I tried my hand at Partial Die stamping today, and it is quite easy.  Just stamp onto paper and then cut out the die, showing only part of the stamp.  In this case, I stamped the Harvest Berries from PTI, in Cranberry Tart ink, from GKD and cut out the JOY die from PTI.  That was placed on a base on Cranberry Tart and layer of Ivory CS from GKD.  The Ivory layer was dry embossed with a folder and sprinkled with white glitter.  I cut out 3 snowflakes from vellum and sponged them with the same cranberry ink.  I added some pearls to the snowflakes and the corners to finish. 
Here is what I am talking about.
Quite easy and different. 
 
Of course, the glitter does not show.  But thanks for stopping by and I do appreciate your comments. 
I am entering this card in the Make it Monday #186 Partial Stamping challenge. 
You can go over and see more examples of partial stamping HERE 
 
 

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Cardinals in a Winter Storm

I have made this card today from a memory a long time ago.  During a winter storm I witnessed a lone red cardinal clinging to a bush in our backyard during a winter storm.  Poor thing, that storm caught us all by surprise. 
Judy Woodland is doing the challenge at Mod Squad this week and she has requested that we do our favorite kind of card.  For me that means a special card with some special meaning.  Like this one, and if it has sponging on it more the better.  I love how you can create effects like a snow storm, or a soft sky, the beach, or a background.  I did have trouble making the falling snow.  I was getting big splashes' instead of the ones that I wanted.  I put out an alert to my friend Karen Hightower and, as quick as a rabbit, she came back with an answer for me.  Use a paint brush instead of the toothbrush I was using, and it worked. I love how this card came together.
 
In my card,, I used three red cardinals because only one is too lonely and sad. 


GKD CS in Cherry Red and Ivory
Stamps, Inkadinkado, Delicate Branches and GKD, wishing You Joy
Memory Box Resting Birds die
Ink, GDK Black Onyx and Cranberry Tart and Distressed ink, Pumice Stone, Weathered Wood and Salty Ocean.
Copic markers, C1, C3, C5, E40
For the snow, I just put some white acrylic paint on a clear block and spritz it with water and used the paint brush. 

I am entering this card in the Mod Squad Challenge, It's My Favorite.
Simon Says Monday Challenge, Anything Goes. 
STV MIUM Challenge, Christmas Comes Early

This is just a wonderful time of year, You can make fall cards, or get a jump on your Christmas cards. it's your choice.  Thanks for stopping by and I do appreciate your comments as always.

Monday, October 20, 2014

Make it Monday #185 Faux Stained Glass

Make it Monday #185 Faux Stained Glass
 
Betsy Veltman has made another fabulous card
showing off a faux stained glass technique. You can find how she did it Here
 
My card that I made today sure sparkles in real life.  As usual it is hard to see.  Here it is.
 
This are unusual colors for a Christmas card, but I like the way it turned out.  I will use it for one of my cards this year.  I used the Shakers and Sprinkles Kit for most of this one.  The wreath is from Wreath for all Seasons ( PTI) and is stamped onto clear cardstock with Black Stazon and Gold Stazon.   I really need at new one, I think mine has done dried up.  The Joy is a PTI die that I have used many times.  It is a shaker card with some white glitter for the snow.  The base of this card is Prickly Pear and the oval is Tomato Soup and the Joy is Dark Chocolate, all from GKD.  The design paper on the bottom, is from a pack called Autumn Abundance, PTI. Then, I cut the birds from a memory box die called Resting Birds.  I used Wink of Stella on the Joy.  Well, I am on a roll now,  I have 5 Christmas cards made.  I know, some of you out there have way more than that made by now, but I am a all geared up now. 
Thanks so much for taking a look and I hope that I inspired you today. 
 
 

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells La la la la la

Make It Monday #184
Gold dipped die cuts
 
Although it has been rainy and dark outside most of today, I am making Christmas cards, and it is warm and sunny in here.  Of course, I have made a few Christmas cards in the past, but I have to say that it is not my favorite thing to do.  I don't even know why.  This year it is different.  I intend to make them all.  Maybe it is the inspiration that I got from the beautiful dies and stamps from this kit.  I will be making some of the ornaments too, but for now, just cards with this kit.
 
In stead of the gold, I used Platinum around the rectangle die cut.  Love all of the little dies that you can assemble to make a scene.  I put glitter on the snow and red Wink of Stella on the ribbon.  This card really sparkles. 
I am entering this one in the Make It Monday #184
 
 
 
As I said, I made several cards today.  One fall card and three Christmas Cards.  This is what the other one looks like.  Not entering this one in any challenge, but it is cute.
 
 
 
 
This one is made with  two die sets from Simon Says.  Stitched Slopes and Hills, and Village. 
 
I much appreciate any comments! 

Monday, October 13, 2014

It is really FALL

We went on a gimmick rally this weekend.  Have you ever been on one?  You need a driver, (hubby) and a navigator, (me).  Then you need a group of people all doing the same thing, for the competition, as it is all in fun.  The group provided a map of the route and the 6 pages of pictures of things to look for and spot on the route.  We got 25 out of the 36. Not as easy as you think to do, as there is a lot of yelling in the car, maps on your lap and pictures to look at all the while telling the driver where to go.  Boy would I have like to tell the driver where to go!  Lol  All in fun , and yes we are still loving each other.  But along the way, you get to see some beautiful sites and colors.  That is what inspired me to make this card yesterday. 




I am entering this card in these challenges today.    
Mod Squad challenge blog - Tag it! 
JUGS - #262n Trend Challenge   Ombre
Seize the Birthday - anything goes - no toppings

Here is the recipe for this card. 

GKD  Card stock in Charcoal Brown, Pure White
GKD stamp kit, The Simple Things, A Year of Leaves, and Birthday greetings
Distressed Inks, Crushed Olive, Bundled Sage, Peeled Paint, and Rusty Hinge
3D Stamp Paint in Copper
Green Rafia ribbon and Gold embossing Powder
Embossing folder, Moutain Meadow

I did the ombre effect on the white panel and stamped the brick panel onto the tag.  The leaves are cut with my cameo and after coloring, I used the copper 3D paint.  I wish you could see the sparkle.  Birthday Wishes sentiment is embossed with gold powder and the whole tag is placed into the ombre panel.

Thanks for stopping by and if you leave a comment, as always, it is appreciated.



Thursday, October 9, 2014

Make It Monday #183: Dry Embossing Over Heat Embossing

                   Make It Monday #183: Dry Embossing Over Heat Embossing

I have not had much time in my craft room this week, but I was able to quickly do this card for the Make it Monday Challenge.  I am still thinking PINK for the month of October, as it is cancer awareness month.  Everywhere you go you see it.  Restaurants ask for donations and you see people wearing pink and they even have it in their hair.  You can donate when you buy something.  People are giving every where.  It is so wonderful to see everyone on that mood.  So it is no wonder that I am thinking PINK.
Here is the card that I made for this challenge of dry embossing over heat embossing.

I used the stamp set from PTI called Feather Finery to make this card.  I heat embossed the dots with silver glitter powder, then dry embossed the entire card with this folder from Stampin Up. 
I stamped the bird and used the matching die to cut him out and Pop it up with foam dots. 
 That was it!   A quick and easy card.
Well, I feel so much better now, having spend some time creating a card. 
 
As always, thanks so much for stopping and please, remember our loved ones who have been dealing with this disease.  I don't think that here is anyone out there who can say that they don't know someone who has. 
 
 
 

Saturday, October 4, 2014

Pink is for Cancer Awarness in the month of October

This month of October is dedicated to cancer awareness and the color "PINK". 
There are so many challenges involving that color and what it means to so many.  So I have made a card that I hope will encourage those that have fought the battle and have won.  This card will be sent to my cousin who is just that person.  Dawn lives far away and I do not see her often, but she was a winner.  She deserves to celebrate that. 

 
Here is the recipe:
GKD CS  Kraft and Bubblegum Pink
STAMPS  GKD  Inspiration Mosaic and Signs Of Spring
Sentiment are from the same stamp sets
Ink   GKD Warm Cocoa and Fresh Asparagus 
         Distressed Picked Raspberry
Viva 3D stamp paint Copper
Flowers and leaves are Heartfelt Creations
 
After I stamped the front of the card including the sentiments, I did the Bokeh technique over the entire front.  I just love how that gives a softness to the card. You can find how to do that HERE
 
I will be entering this card in these challenges:
Mod Squad Challenge-  Pink
Just Us Girls - Celebrate
STV challenge #2  Stamp Out Cancer  Pretty in Pink
 
As always, thanks for stopping by and stay warm and healthy.