Update on Christopher

Hi everyone.  Wanted to give you an update on Christopher's medical condition. Christopher is the brother of a friend and team mate from HLS, Bozena.  I first mentioned him in this post.  He has lung cancer and had tried all the conventional treatments, but wasn't strong enough to go through any more chemotheraphy.  The only option was alternative treatments in Germany at a very high expense.  Bozena has been working hard on fundraising for the treatments, and is continuing as there are more treatments in the future.

I'm happy to report that he has recently finished his third trip to Germany.  The last scans he had showed no metastases in the head, neck, abdomen and chest.  There was also no lymph node enlargement in the recesses of the lungs and mediastinal, which previously existed.  And the tumor in the right lung has decreased slightly. These are all good signs that the alternative treatments he is getting are working for him.  I'm so happy for Christopher, Bozena and the rest of the family!

Christopher still has a long way to go, but the signs are good.  He will find out at his next visit if there is a possibility to have the tumor removed, something that wasn't possible earlier.  Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

Here's a link to Bozena's update on her blog if you want more information.

Thank you.

Favourite Five Christmas Cards 2015

Stenciled Christmas

Deck the Halls

Snowy Winter Night

Rainbow Snowy Sky

Stenciled Christmas Tree

I'm joining in the fun event over at Debby's blog.  She is again posting her five favourite Christmas cards she made this year, and is asking others to share their favourite cards as well.  The event is open until Jan. 5th, so there's lots of time to play along.

I found it really easy to pick my favs this year ... turns out they are all mixed media cards. :)  Who knew??!!  :)

To me, a few of them may be CAS as well (except for the Deck the Halls card).   The lines are getting blurrier and blurrier for me to distinguish these days. :)  CAS is supposed to be one main focal point, and all my cards have two ... so maybe they aren't CAS after all.  What do you think??

I hope you'll come join in the fun over at Debby's blog.  She usually has another event to share her five favourite cards of the year (not Christmas).  Looking forward to that too. :)

Challenges:

Debby's Five Favourite Christmas Cards 2015

Sweet Snowman

Hi everyone.  Sharing a card today with a new-to-me stamp (I think this has been around for a while, but I just bought it).  Love this sweet snowman. :)  Stamped the image onto my card front, a second image onto a piece of mixed media paper, and a third stamping onto a post-it note.  Cut out a mask from the post-it note and placed it on my card front.  Used a falling snow stencil to add white embossing paste, sprinkled with iridescent embossing powder while it was still wet.  Once dry, I heat embossed the falling snow.  It's quite sparkly in real life, but doesn't show up in the photo above.

I used my Zig Watercolour pens to colour the second image, fussy-cut and layered it on top of my card front image.  Just adds a little dimension.  The present was fussy-cut and popped up on dots so it has more dimension that the snowman.  Stamped a simple sentiment to finish.

Quick, easy and fun card to make.  :)

____________________

Sharing a picture of a small sampling of cookies I made this year.  I made some for us ... but most to give away.  Adding up all the cookies, I made just shy of 60 dozen. Crazy, right??!!  :)   Almost half (28 doz) are the iced sugar cookies on the left (aren't they pretty?!).

Wishing all of you the best of the season.  Enjoy your time with family and friends.

Thanks to everyone that stopped by for a visit and to those that took the time to leave me comments.  I appreciate your support and kind words.  Merry Christmas! xx

* * * * *

Stamps:  Sweet Snowman (Penny Black); Frosty Sentiments (Amy R)
Paper:  White (Neenah); Mixed Media Paper (Strathmore)
Ink:  Black Archival (Ranger); Zig Clean Color Real Brushes (Kuretake)
Accessories & Tools:  Falling Snow Stencil (Simon Says), Embossing Paste (Dreamweaver); Iridescent Embossing Powder (Ice) - Stampin' Up!; heat tool, post-it note

Golden Peace

Hi everyone.  I bought this new-to-me stencil a few months back, and wanted to make sure I got some cards done for this Christmas.  So I spent one day a few weeks back and made four cards ... two each of two designs.

I started by adding embossing paste over the stencil to my card front.  Once dry, I placed my stencil back over top and sponged in gold ink.  The picture doesn't do the gold justice, it is very metallic looking in real life.

I tried sponging some of the Delicata Gold ink (used on the embossing paste), onto a piece of card stock so that I could cut the curved strip.  But for some reason, the sponged gold was splotchy, so instead, I used some Lumiere Gold Acrylic paint, adding two coats on to card stock to get this beautiful finish.  I used snow drift dies to cut out my curved strip.  Turned out really well.  Then just a stamped sentiment in gold to finish.

Here's another version of the card with a different layout.  Everything was done the same way as the card above ...

Thanks for stopping by for a visit! :)

Stamps:  Peace (Anita's); Beautiful Season (SU!)

Paper:  White (Neenah)
Ink:  Delicata Gold (Tsuikineko)
Accessories & Tools:  Festive Layering Stencil (Tim Holtz); Embossing Paste (Dreamweaver), palette knife, sponge, Lumiere Gold Acrylic Paint, paint brush, Snow drifts die (My Favorite Things)

Beary Merry Christmas

Hi everyone.  Here's a very special card I made for this year.  My dear friend Lee-Anne (Creatively LA) sent me this adorable stamp.  She thought of Cooper when she saw it, so she wanted me to have it. :)  Thank you so much Lee-Anne!  I just love this sweet image, and it was perfect to make this card for Evan, Nikki and Cooper this year. :)  They have received it in the mail, so it's safe to post. :)

I coloured with my Zig Watercolour pens, added some sparkle to the bear's bow, along with Santa's hat cuff and pompom; and then added a simple popped up sentiment.  I wanted the image to be the star of the card, so just added a little twine to finish things off. :)

Thanks for stopping by for a visit! :)

Stamps:  Beary Merry (Penny Black)
Paper:  White (Neenah)
Ink:  Black Archival (Ranger); Real Red (SU!); Zig watercolour pens
Accessories & Tools:  waterbrush, dazzling diamonds glitter blue, maraschino twine (the twinery)

Gilded Reindeer

Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing my first time using gilding flakes.  Boy, they are MESSY! :)  But a fun messy. :)  I actually did this reindeer twice.  The first time it ripped and I lost one of the antlers.  Note to self ... maybe don't use a die with thin pieces for my first attempt with a new product. :)  I tried to be very careful the second go around, and I don't think I burnished the flakes as much as I would like, but at that point, I just didn't want to have to make a third. :)  In the end, I'm happy with it and I learned some things along the way.

I die-cut the reindeer using sookwang tape.  The gilding flakes stick to it really well and I didn't have a glue-y mess on my hands - bonus!  I brushed away a lot of the excess, and then used some Cut-n-dry foam, rubbing in a circular fashion, to clean off the rest.  The foam works great and it's not expensive, so definitely worth buying for this technique.

I wanted to use black from my card base, so used a piece of corrugated black card stock from my friend Christine.  Thanks Christine!  It's hard to see in the photo above, but it has a subtle stripe to it.  The sentiment and the dotty background are heat embossed in gold.  I love how this card turned out and think I'll be making a lot of gilded cards for next Christmas. :)

I'm enter this into ATS&M Challenge #174 - CAS, and Inkspriational Challenge #97 - Word Prompt:  Flake

Stamps:  Peace (Anita); Gorgeous Grunge (SU!)

Paper:  Black Corrugated card front (Spicer's); Black card base (SU!), White (Neenah) for reindeer
Ink:  Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  Leap of Joy die (Penny Black), Sookwang Tape, Warm Sunrise Gilding Flakes (Cosmic Shimmer), Cut-n-Dry Foam, gold embossing powder (Hero Arts)

Challenges:
ATS&M #174 - CAS
Inkspirational #97 - Flake

Geometric Dimension

I got this hexagonal background die-cut from Poppy Stamps a little while ago and thought I'd have some fun. :)  I smooshed a piece of mixed media paper with watercolour liquid concentrate (yellow, orange, magenta), which had been diluted with water.  I LOVE the saturated colours.  Die-cut the hexagons from my smooshed paper and layered up the shapes with white card stock, gluing them together to create thick die-cuts.  I added them to my card front, gluing some flat, and popping up the others for added dimension.  A simple stamped sentiment and the card was done. :)

Speaking of Smooshing, I just launched my latest video tutorial on Smooshing with Inks.  I show how you can Smoosh with just about any ink (or other art products) as long as you can dilute them and have the colours flowing.  You can click HERE to watch it on YouTube or click below.

If you watch it on YouTube, please give me a thumbs up to let me know you found it helpful.  Thank you!


This is also a reminder that Happy Little Stampers December CAS challenge is Favourite Technique.  My most favourite one right now is smooshing. :)  So I'm sharing today's card over at HLS.  Come join the fun and share a CAS card with your favourite technique.

Stamps:  Chit Chat (Paper Smooches)

Paper:  White card base (Neenah); Mixed Media (Strathmore)
Ink:  Baked Brown Sugar (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Yellow, Orange and Pink Watercolour concentrate (Dick Blick), water mister, Mod Hex Background Die (Poppy Stamps)

Pink and Gold

Hi everyone.  It's the start of our Happy Little Stampers December Mixed Media Challenge ... and it's an easy one! :)

I LOVE pink ... I'm sure it's not a surprise to any of you who visit me regularly. :) And I love it in combination with orange and gold.  So, I used all three of those colours on the card above.  I used a watercoloured background I had in my stash (I tend to make lots of backgrounds at a time so they are handy once I'm ready to create a card).  This one has a sprayed pink and orange background on mixed media paper.  The colours mixed and created this beautiful pinky-coral colour.  The colours are very strong because I sprayed this a few times, drying in-between the layers.

I wanted to add some gold, so I spread just a little Inka Gold wax paste on my craft mat, spritzed with water and "flicked" my panel into the gold.  By flicking it quickly (flick is not the best word, but I couldn't think of anything else ... hmmm ... maybe snap??) :) ... I ended up with almost a splattered gold all over my panel.  Love this look.   I added more Inka Gold, just in the lower right corner, using a harlequin stencil and sponging on a thin layer of paste.

Next I stamped my butterfly twice in Delicata Gold ink --- once on white card stock and once on vellum.  I fussy-cut both butterflies and then layered them with the vellum on top.  This added dimension ... and the vellum layer gives an airy feel. :)

Last, I stamped a simple sentiment in black.  It didn't stamp really clean on top of the gold Inka Gold, so I should have embossed it in black, but by the time I figure that out, it was too late and the ink had dried.  I'm always learning! :)

I hope you'll join us for this easy "Anything Goes" mixed media challenge.  Come play along! :)

As always, I really appreciate you coming by for a visit.

Stamps:  Butterfly Birthday (Happy Little Stampers)

Paper:  White card sbase and butterfly (Neenah); Mixed Media for pain panel (Strathmore); Vellum
Ink:  Delicata Gold (Tsukineko); Black (Memento)
Accessories & Tools:  Orange and Magenta Watercolour sprays made from w/c concentrate (Dick Blick), Inka Gold, water mister, Harlequin Stencil cut with my Silhouette Cameo, sponge

Challenges:

HLS December Mixed Media Challenge - Anything Goes

Joy to the World

Hi everyone.  It's the last ATCAS Challenge for the year.  Didn't 2015 go by fast??!! :)  Thanks to all our wonderful participants for a year filled with amazingly creative entries.

I have really enjoyed my three years on the Design Team for ATCAS.  I've worked with talented designers and have made some wonderful friends along the way.  I am stepping down and this will be my last Design Team card for ATCAS.  I will miss working with this fantastic group of designers.

On to the challenge.  This one is hosted by the talented Sarah G (Funky Fossil Designs) and she has chosen this fun code word ...

This challenge is sponsored by

This is a very simple CAS card.  I used a piece of leftover smooshed inka gold from a previous project to die-cut the letters.  Then I cut out the letters again in white three times, gluing them together to create thick die-cuts with the smooshed layer on top. I die-cut two of the small snowflakes from dazzling diamonds glimmer paper (this paper is SOOOO pretty!).  I layered one glimmer snowflake on top of the other, offsetting it.  I only glued the top snowflake in the middle so that I could pull the ends of the snowflake forwards to create some depth.  Then I simply stamped the sentiment in soft gray and glued everything down to my card front.  Quick and easy CAS card. :)

I hope you'll click HERE to check out the challenge and see the beautiful "JOY" cards from the rest of the Design Team.  And I hope you'll play along. :)

Thanks for coming by for a visit!

Stamps:  Big Christmas Wishes (Amy R)

Paper:  White card base (Neenah); Mixed Media Paper (Strathmore) for smooshing; Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper (SU!)
Ink:  Smoky Slate (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Inka Gold wax paste (Jade, Steel Blue, Platinum), water mister, High Rise Alphabet (My Favorite Things), Snowflake (Impresssion Obsession)

Challenges:

ATCAS #78 - Joy

Starry, Starry Night

Hi everyone.  It's the start of the Happy Little Stampers December Christmas challenge ...

This challenge is sponsored by

I started by making my tree.  I used the Faux Mother of Pearl technique, using gold resist for a different look.  Click HERE to see my video tutorial for Faux Mother of Pearl on YouTube.

I sponged two shades of green distress inks and die-cut the stitched tree.  Then I tore two pieces of white card stock for my snow banks ... love the look.

I used Delicata Gold ink to stamp the starry background and sentiment.  LOVE this gold ink ... it's such a beautiful colour and it really shines even though it's not embossed.

Simple, easy and quick CAS card that was fun to make.

This month we're happy to have the very creative Doni (Lime Green Giggles) as our Guest Designer.  Welcome to the team Doni!!

Click HERE to see Doni's Star card, along with the cards from the rest of our very talented Design Team.  And come join in the challenge with your "star" Christmas card.

This will be my last Design Team card for this challenge.  I'm stepping down at the end of the year from both the Christmas and Sketch challenges at HLS.  I have really enjoyed my time on these teams.  I will be continuing to run the HLS CAS Challenge, and will be a member of the HLS Mixed Media team for next year. :)

I'm entering this card into ATS&M #173 - Holiday ... and my second entry into Sparkle Christmas #52 - Anything Goes.

Thanks so much for dropping by for a visit!

Stamps:  Stars (Big Bold Birthday from Happy Little Stampers); Sentiment (Mixed Christmas Sentiments from Happy Little Stampers)

Paper:  White (Neenah)
Ink:  Delicata Gold (Tsukineko); Distress Inks:  Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  Inka Gold wax, water mister, saran wrap, sponges, Holly Jolly Tree die (Lil' Inkers)

Challenges:

HLS December Christmas Challenge - Star
ATS&M #173 - Holiday
Sparkle Christmas #52 - Anything Goes

Smooshed Inka Gold Christmas

Hi everyone.  Welcome to the last Happy Little Stampers CAS Challenge for the year. I've had so much fun with the HLS CAS challenges this year and I hope you have too.  Can't wait for you to see what's in store for 2016 --- I think you're going to love our challenges.  Thanks again to everyone who has entered cards.  We are thrilled with the response we've had every month.

Here's the newest challenge ...

Our sponsor is

Winning entry receives a HLS stamp set.

I have MANY favourite techniques ... but decided that smooshing is my most favourite right now, especially smooshing with Inka Gold wax paste. :)  I LOVE the colours, shimmer and shine of this amazing product.  And smooshing is one of the easiest and most beautiful techniques ... at least I think so.  Here's a link to my YouTube video on inka gold smooshing.

I used mixed media paper for this, but you can also use watercolour paper or regular card stock --- each of the papers has their own unique look.  Not only did I smoosh a panel of mixed media paper, but I smooshed it a couple of times, drying after each time. :)  It built up beautiful layers of colour.  I die-cut (another favourite technique of mine) a simple plain ornament, but then put it through my big shot with a flourish embossing folder.  LOVE the raised design on my smooshed paper.  I wanted the ornament to be the star of the card, so I only added a simple silver embossed sentiment and silver cord bow.  I didn't think anything else was needed.  This is a very quick and easy CAS card or QCAS as Darnell would say. :)

I'm also excited to announce that TaeEun (rainbow in november) is our Guest Designer for our CAS Challenge this month.  Welcome TaeEun.  We're so happy to have you on the team!

Please click HERE to check out TaeEun's CAS card, along with the rest of the cards from our very talented and inspiring designers.  And come make a CAS card with your favourite technique and link up to the challenge.  Hope to see you in the gallery!

I'm going to share this card at Sparkle Christmas #52 - Anything Goes,  and AAA Cards #53 - Anything Goes.  Also sharing at Fusion (Blue Christmas) ... and since I used a snippet for my ornament, I'm stopping by the Playhouse for Week #205. :)

Thanks for dropping by for a visit!

Stamps:  Mixed Christmas Sentiments (Happy Little Stampers)

Paper:  White card base (Neenah); Mixed Media Paper (Strathmore)
Ink:  Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  Inka Gold wax paste (Jade, Steel Blue, Platinum), water mister, Ornament Set 2 die (Elizabeth Craft Designs, Musical Flourish embossing folder (Cuttlebug), silver embossing powder, heat tool, silver cording

Challenges:

HLS December CAS Challenge
Sparkle Christmas #52 - Anything Goes
AAA Cards #53 - Anything Goes
Fusion (Blue Christmas)
Snippets Playhouse - Week 205