Elegant Poinsettia

Hi everyone.  The reason I called this "Elegant Poinsettia" is the fabulous designer paper in behind the poinsettia.  It is a beautiful paisley design ... and the white, taupe and gold colors make it so elegant.  I love it!  Found it at my local dollar store - you gotta' love that! 

Today's card is for this week's challenge at Paper Players (PP#123 - Jaydee's Sketch Challenge).  Here's the sketch:

I made another poinsettia card with the sketch above.  I wanted to make a few more poinsettia cards before having to put away the die-cut for the season.  Love it done in the red.

The only change I made to the sketch was to substitute a ribbon in place of the sentiment.  I kept the sketch CAS by having lots of white space.  Hope you like.

Paper:  White (C.C. Designs), Gold Paisley ($1 store); Real Red, Old Olive, Gold (SU!)
Ink:  Real Red
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Blooming Poinsettia die (Poppy Stamps), Pine Branch punch (McGill), Mistletoe ribbon (SU!), sponge, glue, mat, stylus, adhesives, and dimensionals

No stamping on this card.  I sponged around each petal of the poinsettia to give depth.  I also shaped the petals slightly to give the flower more dimension.  Pine branches were layered underneath the poinsettia as well as a few smaller sprigs tucked in amongst the petals.

Here's a close-up of the poinsettia:

Joyeux Noel

Hi everyone.  Quick post today with a very CAS card for this week's Color Challenge from SCS (CC403 - real red, basic gray, gumball green).  Still working on Christmas cards ... have lots made ... actually more than I need, but they are my favorite to make, so will be taking advantage of the next month to make some more and give my Christmas die-cuts and stamps a good work-out before putting them away for several months. :)

Stamps:  En Francais (SU!); Handy Christmas Greetings (Amy R)
Paper:  White (Neenah); Gumball Green, Real Red (SU!)
Ink:  Basic Gray, Gumball Green (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Nestabilities Label Two (Spellbinders), Holly Vine (Memory Box), 1/16" hole punch, white gel pen, sponge, Stamp-a-ma-jig, glue, and dimensionals

The main panel was stamped with En Francais in Basic Gray.  I die-cut the holly vine and punched out red berries and attached a partial vine across the main panel, tacking it down with a couple of dots of glue.  Using the gel pen, I added a white dot to each berry to highlight.  The main panel is popped up for added dimension.

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Another quick note, my Trio of Ornaments card was mentioned as one of the favorites for last week's Color Throwdown Challenge.  Thanks Tammy!!

Vintage Posey

Hi everyone.  We have some very exciting news at Addicted to Stamps and More Challenge blog!!  Today is the first challenge that is sponsored!!  That means there will be a fabulous prize for the Top Addict!!  I'm so excited!!

This week's sponsor is 

 (please follow the rules of the challenge to be eligible to win)

I have been shopping at All That Scraps for about a year now ... ever since I came across the fabulous designs of Pam Sparks (Expressions with Heart).  Pam is a former member of All That Scraps Design Team ... and her cards just blew me away.  I especially love all the fun dies from C.C. Designs (sold at All That Scraps) and use them on many of my cards.

On to the challenge:

Today's Design Team card is for the latest challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More - Sketch Challenge #4.  I've seen a few cards in the gallery at Splitcoast Stampers lately that have added posies to their cards.  I love the look, and used that for today's card.  I made a vintage style card (keeping it as CAS as possibly), using two very subtle designer papers and lots of sponging around the edges.  Hope you like.


Here's the sketch:

Stamps:  Whimsical Words (SU!)

Paper:  White (card base); Swirly DP and Parchment DP (unknown); Very Vanilla, Soft Suede (SU!)

Ink:  Soft Suede (SU!)

Accessories & Tools:  Fanciful Flourish Die (Cheery Lynn); Pine Branch punch (McGill), Antique Brad, sponges, Crocheted Lace, Soft Suede Tafetta ribbon, hole punch, sticky strips, adhesives, glue, and dimensionals

All pieces are sponged with Soft Suede ink to give the card a vintage feel (as well as the pine branches and flourish).  I used two different subtle designer papers for this card but because they are so subtle, you can't see the designs in the photo :(

The two small panels and the main panel are all popped up from the card front to give the card lots of depth.  The two smaller panels are also three layers thick (one Parchment DP layer and two white cardstock layers, all glued together to form very thick and sturdy panels) to add even more depth to the card.

Here's a close-up of the posey:

I hope I have inspired you to join us for this fun challenge.  Check out the other fabulous creations by the Design Team at ATS&M!

Happy Birthday, Evan!

Hi everyone.  Evan's birthday was last week, but we just had our family dinner last night to celebrate, so waited to post a picture of the card I made for him after he got it.  Evan is an automotive mechanic by trade ... and loves trucks ... especially old ones.  When I saw this great digi stamp from Fred, She Said ... I had to get it.  Hope you like.

* * * * *

Stamps:  Old Truck (Fred, She Said); Be Happy Sentiments (Amy R)
Paper:  White (C.C. Designs)
Ink:  Copics:  YG95, R29, E44, E77, E49, W4, 0 (colorless blender); Stampin' Write markers:  Basic Gray, Daffodil Delight
Accessories & Tools:  Cappucino twine (The Twinery), Stamp-a-ma-jig

I'm still learning lots with my copics and have a long way to go, but I'm happy with how this turned out.  I used the colorless blender to remove color from the truck to give it an aged look.

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Just a couple of quick notes ... first of all, I'm so pleased that I made "A Cut Above" at Paper Players challenge last week (use Silver or Gold) ... with my Christmas Trimmings card.  Thanks to Helen for picking my card!!

Also, I have withdrawn my entries for the Design Team call at Inkspirational.  I just decided that it wasn't the right fit for me at this time.



Layered Snowflake

Hi everyone.  I recently purchased SU! BigZ Snow Flurry die set because of the beautiful cards made by my good friend, Nancy Littrell.  Nancy's cards with this die are fantastic so I just HAD to have it!  Thanks for the inspiration, Nancy!

I'm entering this card into the Less Is More challenge for this week (LIM95 - Glamour and Glitz).

I used glitter paper and white vellum to make the snowflake.  Unfortunately, white vellum on white cardstock doesn't photograph very well.  The card is so beautiful in real life.  I used extra lighting to try to pick up the vellum layer, but it does add a bit of a shadow on the picture above ... so I'm including a few more photos taken from different angles.  I hope you can see just how pretty the vellum looks on this card.

Here's a side-view so that you can see the layers of the card.

Stamps:  Snowman Sayings (Amy R)

Paper:  White (C.C. Designs); Turquoise Glitter Paper ($1 store); Vellum Paper (SU!)
Ink:  Tempting Turquoise (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Snow Flurry die set (Sizzix), large clear rhinestone, Stamp-a-ma-jig, sticky strips and dimensionals.

Frosted Holiday Window

Hi everyone.  Today's card is for two challenges at SCS (Splitcoast Stampers) ... Free for All (F4A144 - Add Glitter!) and Queen for the Day (QFTD140 - Mrs Noofy).  I spent quite a bit of time looking through Sue's amazing gallery of cards.  She is so talented!!  I ended up with several cards that inspired me ... but settled on this card to CASE in Sue's honor.  Congrats Queen Sue!

I kept the frosted look of the vellum window from Sue's original card - just love the look of it!  I changed up the flower spray to make a holiday version.  I added glitter glue to the Madera Corner die and pine branches as well as the center of the poinsettia.  I hope you like.

Stamp:  Handy Christmas Greetings (Amy R)
Paper:  White (Neenah); Old Olive, Real Red, Vellum (SU!)
Ink:  Old Olive, Real Red (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Small Madison Arched Window and Blooming Poinsettia dies (Poppy Stamps), Madera corner die (Memory Box), Pine Branch punch (McGill), green glitter glue (studio g), glue, and dimensional

Here's a close-up of the window and flower spray:

Trio of Ornaments

Hi everyone.  Today's card is for three challenges:  SCS Queen for the Day (QFTD139 - Gabalot); Color Throwdown (CTD219 - Bermuda Bay, Lucky Limeade, White, Basic Gray, Sky Blue); and Clearly iStamp (CIC64 - CAS).  I really enjoyed looking through Gabby's beautiful gallery of cards on SCS and decided to CASE (copy and share everything) one of her latest cards.  I love Gabby's ornaments hanging from tinsel!  I changed it up to have the ornaments hanging from a pine branch, and used punches for my ornaments in the colors of the throwdown.  Congrats Gabby ... enjoy your reign!

Stamps:  Merry & Bright (Amy R)
Paper:  White (Neenah); Kiwi Kiss (SU!); Hello Sunshine DP (Bo Bunny)
Ink:  Basic Gray (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Pine Branch punch (McGill); ornament punch (SU!), Silver Elastic cording, paper piercing tool and mat, glue, adhesives, and dimensionals

I punched out three layers of ornaments for each one (nine layers in total - top layer DP, glued to two layers of white).  This creates nice thick ornaments and adds dimension to the card.  I pierced a hole under the pine branch, above each of the ornaments.  The silver elastic cording was threaded through the hole to the back to hide the ends.  The ornaments and main panel are popped up to add more depth to the card.

Ornaments and Holly

Hi everyone.  Today's challenge at Addicted to Stamps & More is CAS (#4).  CAS (clean and simple) is the style I'm most comfortable with ... love all that white space!!

I thought this stamp would be perfect for one of my favorite techniques - paper piecing.  I'm sure you've noticed that there are lots of paper pieced cards in my gallery ... I love it!  I used the beautiful Christmas designer papers from SU! called "Be of Good Cheer" ... these are one of my favorites in the five years I've been buying SU!  Not only did I paper piece the ornaments, but I covered them in Crystal Effects to give them shine and dimension.

Here's a close-up so you can see the details:

Stamps:  Ornaments and Holly (C.C. Designs); Snowman Sayings (Amy R)
Paper:  White (C.C. Designs); Gumball Green, Cherry Cobbler, Silver, Be of Good Cheer DP (SU!)
Ink:  Basic Black, Gumball Green (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Crystal Effects, white gel pen, sponge, glue, Peapod twine (The Twinery), Stamp-a-ma-jig,  and adhesives

Hope you'll join in the challenge with us this week ... it's gonna' be fun!!  If you're looking for inspiration, check out all the beautiful cards from other Design Team members!

Christmas Trimmings

Hi everyone.  Today's card is a quick and easy CAS Christmas card to honor the Featured Stamper at SCS this week (FS302 - Shadow's Mom).  I had a wonderful time looking through Lee-Anne's gallery of beautiful creations and found two CAS cards that inspired the card above (click here and here to see Lee-Anne's cards).  Congrats, Lee-Anne!  I hope you enjoy your special week!

This card is also for the Paper Players challenge (PP122 - CAS featuring silver or gold).

Stamps:  Handy Christmas Greetings (Amy R)
Paper:  White (Neenah), Gold glitter paper (Best Creations)
Ink:  Black (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Oval Nestabilities dies (Spellbinders); Frosyville Border die (Memory Box), sticky strips, glue, and dimensionals

Here's a close-up of the sentiment ... I used a star for the 'i' in Christmas (leftover from the border die.

Christmas Poinsettia

Hi everyone.  Today's card is the fourth (and final) entry for a DT call for Inkspirational.  I have really enjoyed the challenge of making four cards ... all for different types of challenges (CASE, Color, Sketch and Photo).  Today it's the CASE (copy and share everything) challenge:

I made my version of the card above, keeping it CAS (clean and simple) by removing the strip of designer paper that goes across the middle of the card.  Instead, I highlighted that same area on my card with two rows of paper piercing.  I decided that the elegant poinsettia dictated that I didn't round the bottom corners of the card.  Hope you like.

Stamps:  Beautiful Season (SU!)
Paper:  White (Neenah); Real Red, Old Olive (SU!)
Ink:  Old Olive, Real Red (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Blooming Poinsettia die (Poppy Stamps), paper piecing tool and template, mat, sponge, glue, adhesives, glue, and dimensionals

Here's a close-up of the poinsettia:

Addicted to CAS - Challenge #1

Hi everyone.  Today is the first challenge of the new challenge blog Addicted to CAS ... I'm sooo excited!! :)  Each challenge will have a code word to inspire your creations.

Kylie is in charge of the first challenge and here it is:

This week's fantastic sponsor is

$20 GIFT VOUCHER
will be awarded to the CAS PERFECTIONIST

(please follow the rules of the challenge to be eligible to win)

... And here's my "Snow" card as part of the new Design Team for Addicted to CAS.  I hope I inspire you to join in the challenge!

"Pine Branch Tree"



Stamps:  Snowman Sayings (Amy R)

Paper:  White for card base (Neenah); Whisper White for main panel, Gumball Green (SU!); silver glitter paper

Ink:  Tempting Turquoise, Certainly Celery, Black, Whisper White (SU!)

Accessories & Tools:  Pine Branch punch (McGill), Big Shot, Star from Christmas Tree die (C.C. Designs), Martha Stewart Sparkle Texture Effect, paint brush, sponges, Stamp-a-ma-jig, glue, and dimensionals

  

I started by punching out 12 pine branches from Gumball Green cardstock and then used a small artist's paint brush (from the $1 store) to apply some Martha Stewart Sparkle Texture Effect on the branches.  I let the branches dry before making the rest of the card.

I sponged Tempting Turquoise ink onto my main panel at the top, leaving some white spaces.  I then sponged Certainly Celery ink over top, filling in the spaces and blending the colors together.  I added some "falling snow" by mixing together Whisper White re-inker and water on a toothbrush and then splattering them over the whole card front.

I layered the pine branches starting at the bottom, with the branches facing downwards.  I only added glue at the tip (top of each branch) so that the branches had movement and depth.  I layered four for the bottom, then three branches above that; then two branches and finally one on top.  I took the two extra branches and added them where I thought there were bare spots.  A glittery star finished the tree.

I'm also entering this card for the SCS Color Challenge this week (CC401 - Tempting Turquoise, Gumball Green, Pear Pizzaz) and for CAS-ual Friday (CFC79 - Winter Blues).

Here's a close-up of the tree ... just love how lacy it looks!

I hope you'll join us for this fun challenge!  Come on over to Addicted to CAS and see the fabulous creations by the other Design Team members!!

Metallic Ornaments

Hi everyone.  Here's my latest entry for the DT call at Inkspirational.  This card is for the Sketch Inspiration challenge:

I kept it very CAS, just stamping the "ribbon and bow" and the sentiment in black ink.  The ornaments are three different sizes of circles, each one cut from a different metallic glitter paper (copper, gold and bronze).  I gave the ornaments some depth and shine by covering them in Crystal Effects.  I added a small bronze ornament to the inside of the card to add interest.  Hope you like.

Stamps:  Christmas Greetings; Tree Trimmings (SU!)
Paper:  White (Neenah); Copper, Gold and Bronze Metallic Glitter DP (Best Creations)
Ink:  Basic Black (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), 1 3/8" circle punch, 1 1/4" circle punch, Crystal Effects, and dimensionals

Folded Christmas Tree

First of all ... Happy Birthday, Evan!!!  Hope you have a great day!!  Looking forward to celebrating your birthday on Sunday with Nikki, Jer, your dad and me!  Don't forget to let me know what you'd like for your special birthday dinner!

Now on to the card for today which I'm entering into three challenges.  First up, SCS Technique Lovers (TLC403 - Folded Christmas Tree) - this is such a fun way to make your own trees using a half circle ... you can make them any size you want.  Click here for a fabulous tutorial.

Second, is for the Featured Stamper (FS301 - LaLatty).  I have long admired Patty's wonderful style.  I chose to CASE this card by Patty, removing a few layers to make it more CAS.  Congrats Patty, I hope you're enjoying your week in the spotlight!!

Third, is for the CAS-ual Friday challenge this week (CFC78 - So Torn).  I tore two layers of white for the snow drifts.

Stamps:  Snowman Sayings (Amy R)
Paper:  White (Neenah); Be of Good Cheer DP (SU!)
Ink:  Gumball Green (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Circle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), mini half-pearls, Maraschino twine (The Twinery), Stamp-a-ma-jig, glue, adhesives, and dimensionals

I made the tree following the tutorial (link above) and added some mini-half pearls for decoration.  I ripped two pieces of white cardstock to make the snow drifts.  And I added twine with a bow, strategically placing the bow so that it is the tree topper :)  Fun and easy card to make!

Here's a close-up of the tree:

Blooming Polka-Dots

Hi everyone.  Time for another challenge from Addicted to Stamps and More ... this time it's Addicted to [Red & White].  Such a great color combination.  I immediately thought of my friend, Debbie, who loves red and polka-dots.  It was her birthday a little over a week ago ... so I'm late getting this in the mail.  I hope it brings a smile to her face when she gets it.

Not much stamping with this card ... just the sentiment which is from a fun set by Amy R called "Happy Sentiments".  I just love the sentiment sets from Amy R and have several.  There's usually one or two new sets released each month, so my sentiment stock is building!

The rest of the card is a flower die-cut (two layers, attached with a brad) ... and then a digital stamp from Lisa's Doodley Doos, that I printed onto checkerboard DP and cut out (flower pot).  Hope you like.

Stamps:  Be Happy Sentiments (Amy R); Word Doodles (Lisa's Doodley Doos - Clear Dollar Stamps)
Paper:  White (Neenah); Real Red Polka-dot DP (SU!); Red checkerboard (unknown)
Ink:  Black (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Five Point Flower die (C.C. Designs), white brad, white double-stitched ribbon, glue, paper piercing tool, and dimensionals

I die-cut two flowers, lined them up together and pierced a hole in the center.  I glued one in place on my card front and then pierced again through the same hole, this time going through the card front as well.  I then added the second flower on top and threaded the brad through all three layers and secured it at he back.  I pinched the petals of the top flower forward to give the flower some depth and also popped up the flower pot.

Merry Trees ... and Window with a View

Hi everyone.  I entering a Design Team call for Inkspirational, a new challenge blog that will go live at the beginning of January.  Four cards, one for each challenge (CASE, Color, Photo, Sketch) are required and I posted my first card (for the photo inspiration) a couple of days ago - Christmas Wreath.

Today is all about the color challenge:

Love these colors together.  I didn't have any designer paper that had all three colors, so I made my own.  I used Whisper White for the base, stamped large and small snowflakes in both olive and pale blue; and then added some suede dots.  I die-cut three trees and sponged more olive around the outside edges.  The base of the tree is suede.  I'm so happy with how this turned out ... and happy that I was able to make my own DP! :)  The green glitter paper finishes the card off with some bling.  Hope you like.

Stamps:  Holiday Cheer (Sizzix / Hero Arts), Merry & Bright sentiment (Amy R)
Paper:  White (C.C. Designs); Whisper White (SU!); green glitter paper ($1 store)
Ink:  Old Olive, Baja Breeze, Soft Suede (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Tree die-cuts (Holiday Cheer set - Sizzix / Hero Arts), Star die (C.C. Designs - part of the Christmas Tree die set), Stamp-a-ma-jig, glue, sticky strips, and dimensionals

Here's a close-up of the DP I made:

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And, as per usual for me, I had a hard time limiting myself to just one card with these colors.  So here's a second card, that uses different techniques ... and is a totally different style but still CAS.  Hope you like.



Stamps:  Delicate Branches (Inkadinkado); Leaf sprig (Cause a Scene, Master #1 - Kittie Kits); Thoughts of you (Rubber-Art Stamps)
Paper:  White (C.C. Designs), Whisper White (SU!)
Ink:  Old Olive, Baja Breeze, Soft Suede (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Big Shot, Small Madison Arched Window die (Poppy Stamps), sponge, paper piercing tool & template, Stamp-a-ma-jig, sticky strips, glue, and dimensionals

I glued three layers of the window die together to create a thick die.  I sponged Baja Breeze onto Whisper White, and stamped the branch in Soft Suede ink.  I then stamped the leaf sprig in Old Olive ink, two or three times before re-inking and stamping more (second generation stamping).  A sentiment stamped in soft suede and a line of piercing finishes the card.

Here's a close-up of the view: