Merry and Joy - Ornate and Trendy Trimmings

Hi everyone.  Sharing more cards using some of Penny Black's new release, Merry and Joy.  Today I'm using a sweet stamp set that has three different patterned ornaments, called ornate (30-610), along with matching die (ornate cut out 51-575)

I used a piece of alcohol ink'd yupo paper to stamp the ornaments in permanent black ink.  For some reason, the ink stayed wet, so I quickly pour clear embossing powder over top and used the lowest setting on my heat tool to melt.  Yupo doesn't like getting really hot and can melt.  Luckily that didn't happen. :)

I die-cut the ornaments using the matching die and then used a silver metallic pen to add some details on the ornaments, and to add the silver "cording" for the ornaments to hang (a bit hard to see in the photo).  Also added a silver heat embossed sentiment from merry up (30-622).

The bottom ornament was glued directly onto my card front, the other two are popped up on foam for added dimension.  Then the whole panel was popped up onto a card base.

Close-up ...

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Next up is the trendy trimmings stamp set (30-628).  I used three of the five images to create some fun, square note cards.  Stamped in black and heat embossed in clear, the images were watercoloured using zigs.  I cut them into 2 1/2" squares and added a faux stitching around the edge using a red marker.  The panels are popped up on foam for extra dimension before adhering to the bright greet card base.  A little bit of shimmer paint was added on to the images, but wasn't able to capture in the photo. :)

I hope you've enjoyed seeing some fun and easy cards using these wonderful images.


Penny Black Products:
ornate 30-610
ornate cut out 51-575
merry up 30-622
trendy trimmings 30-628

Lots more Quick Christmas Cards

Hi everyone.  A couple of weeks ago I posted several Quick Christmas cards using white die-cuts along with colourful backgrounds.

I've done it again using different white die-cuts and this time using alcohol ink on acetate for the backgrounds.  I didn't have AI backgrounds made up ahead, so I took a little time to make up a bunch.  It's messy working with AI's so making lots at once really saves on clean up time. :)

To me, the AI Acetate backgrounds looks like stained glass.  Probably better in real life that in the photos.

The sweet framed deer die-cut is from Poppy Stamps called Playful Deer Stitched Frame. It's backed with a piece of alcohol inks (clover, mermaid, indigo blue) on acetate.  The first three cards have two layers of die-cut images glued together to create some depth.  All sentiments have been stamped using Delicata Silver Ink.

Next up is a die from AliExpress.  I think this is a really sweet winter scene.  And the great thing is you can separate the center design from the stitched frame so you end up with two dies. :)  This time the acetate is coated with alcohol inks (mermaid, wild plum, indigo blue).

The card below uses "Cardinal Ornament" die from Cottage Cutz (a gift from my friend Mary).  The background again is acetate with two shades of green alcohol inks (lime green / botanical)

The next three cards use white die-cut card fronts with alcohol ink acetate in-behind.  Again, I think this looks like stained glass.  It's so pretty.  The card below uses Simon Says Stamp Snowburst Collage die.  It's backed with acetate with alcohol inks (sailboat / eggplant / indigo).

Up next is a beautiful Christmas tree die by Simon Says Stamp called Corbel Tree Collage.  It's so elegant.  Acetate backing with alcohol inks (citrus / botantical/ mermaid).

And last up is the Evergreen Window die from Memory Box.  The acetate backing is coloured with alcohol inks (wild plum, indigo).

I hope you've enjoyed seeing how I made some very quick and easy cards using white die-cuts with alcohol ink'd acetate backgrounds.

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Photograph by Alejandro Garcia

Jessie and Parker hanging out together

Parker is my youngest (3 years old) grandson.

October Rudolph Days

Hi everyone.  Happy to be playing along with Rudolph Day's October challenge.  I've been playing along each month and it's helped me build my stash of Christmas cards.

Today's card is very different.  I just received this amazing image in the mail.  I love Visible Images that have things breaking away and have a few of them.  This snowflake makes for a very artsy image, and paired with Fractured Ice Embossing Powder, it really is cool! (pun intended). :)

This was simply stamped in Versamark and heat embossed with the Fractured Ice embossing powder.  Sentiment was stamped onto a black banner with Versamark and heat embossed in white.  Stamped over the sentiment again (Misti is awesome!) and then heat embossed with the Fractured Ice.  The white was a great base so that the colours of the fractured ice would show up on black.

Close-up ... lots of shine that reflects in my light box.

A very simple and quick card.

I hope you'll check out Rudolph Day's challenge and come play along.  It runs from 25th - end of month and is always "Anything Goes Christmas".

Stamps:Snow is Falling (Visible Image);
Paper:  White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); black card stock (SU!)
Ink:  Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  Fractured Ice embossing powder (Allure), white embossing powder, heat tool

Challenges:
October Rudolph Days - Anything Goes Christmas

Pink Christmas

Today's card is for a couple of challenge.  First up, the Jingle Belles - Pink Christmas "For the Cure".  It's a yearly tribute to raise money for a cure for Breast Cancer.  I almost missed this, but saw that Bonnie had made a card for the challenge, so I got to work making mine.  Lauren and Steph generously donate $2each for each entry into their October "For the Cure" challenge.  Way to go Lauren and Steph!!

Second challenge is for October's Penny Black and More Challenge - Pretty in Pink.  I thought I needed to use a Penny Black image to join in, but DT Jenny reminded me that any make of stamp is allowed.

This is a simple card that is pink and white.  I used a circle stencil (with all different sizes of circles) and a couple of sponge daubers to create the bokeh background.  It's so easy.  I started by layering different sizes of circles sponged in pink (worn lipstick) ink.  Some circles I sponged very lightly, others more intense.  Once the background was mostly filled, I added some white ink through the circle stencil to layer more on top.  I love this dreamy-look background.  Paired it with a simple white die-cut of trees on a snowy hill and a simple sentiment in the same pink ink.  The front panel is popped up for added dimension.

Close-up ...

The Jingle Belles challenge closes later today, so if you have a bit of time, come join in the fun!  Penny Black and More challenge is open until Oct. 30th

Stamps:  Festive snippets (Penny Black)
Paper:  White (Neehan 110 lb.)
Ink:  Worn Lipstick distress ink (Tim Holtz); White Pigment (Hero Arts)
Accessories & Tools:  Hillside Slope die (Poppy Stamps), sponges, circle stencil (AliExpress)

Challenges:
Jingle Belles - Pink Christmas "For the Cure"
October's Penny Black & More Challenge - Pretty in Pink

Merry and Joy - All Wrapped Up

Hi everyone.  Today I'm using two images from the all wrapped up (30-607) stamp set, which is part of the Penny Black new release, Merry and Joy.

First, I made two different designs using the pretty poinsettia corner spray.

Stamped the image in permanent black ink and heat set before watercolouring with distress and dye inks.  Fussy-cut the image and popped it up over top of the smallest stitched loop frame (51-573).  The sentiment is Festive Snippets (30-387), a previous release from Penny Black.

Close-up ...

For the second card, I die-cut an aperture for my card front using the bird ornament  (51-587), keeping the inside die-cut part for another card.

Stamped the poinsettia corner spray used in the above card, onto a card base.  Watercoloured the image using the same colours as the first card and then placed the card front over top.  The ornament shape didn't show up well, so I took a thick black permanent marker and traced around the shape on the card insert (watercolour image panel).  I die-cut the cap and coloured it with the same black marker to match.  Popped the front panel up to add dimension to the card.  Stamped sentiment (merry up 30-622) in black on card front and added a piece of knotted silver cording to finish.

Close-up ...

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Here's another image from the same stamp set, all wrapped up ...

The fun and funky, stylized Christmas tree was stamped in versamark and heat embossed in Lime Green embossing powder (Ranger).  I used red acrylic paint to add the decorations.  Placed a dollop on my craft sheet and used the end of a narrow paint brush to pick up the paint.  I could add three "ornaments" before I needed to dip into the red paint again.  Each dot was smaller than the last and this gives me variations of sizes of dots to add interest.  The sentiment is a from merry builder (30-619).  I love the versatility of this sentiment stamp set ... you can make it just "MERRY" or add one or two more of the other smaller sentiments to create your own.

Close-up ...

See you again soon with more Penny Black images!

Penny Black Products:
all wrapped up (30-607)
stitched loop frames (51-573)
festive snippets (30-387)
bird ornament die (51-587)
merry up (30-622)
merry builder (30-619)

Autumn Maple Leaf

Hi everyone.  Here's another card for the CAS Watercolour October Challenge - Maple Leaf, hosted by me!

We are celebrating our 3rd birthday ...have you taken a look at the gallery on the challenge blog??  It's full of gorgeous maple leaves!

Close-up ...  sorry for the glare from the lights.

There's still three days left to play along before the challenge closes.  Hope to see your beautiful maple leaf card in the gallery!

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Yesterday Jessie and Violeta had a play day.

Alex took lots of great photographs!

Jessie made herself comfortable in Violeta's bed, right in front of the fire.

Life is good!

 Jessie wants to take this bed home with her.

Violeta taking a quiet break from the action.

Jessie and Violeta sharing the bed.  

Best Friends!  How cute are they??!!

Stamps:  Essential Sentiments (Makers Movement)
Paper:  White card base and panel (Neenah 110 lb.); Hot Press watercolour paper (Arches 140 lb.)
Ink:  Autumn Maple Crimson, Cowabunga Copper (Lindy's magical powders); Rusty Hinge (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  water mister, Maple Leaf die (Poppy Stamps), Crackle Stencil (Prima), Gold d'Oro foil (Decofoil), Decofoil transfer gel, Stencil Pal, Laminator

Challenges:
CAS Watercolour October Challenge - Maple Leaf

Wedgwood Blue

Hi everyone.  It's time for the reminder post for the CAS Stencil October Challenge - Patterned Paper, hosted by me!

I dug through my many containers of patterned paper and came across an "old-fashioned" look of designer paper.  I love the soft blue and cream.  I wanted to have the look of "Wedgwood Blue" china which has a very dry look to it.  I used embossing paste, coloured with distress ink Stormy Sky.  I didn't have the re-inker, so smooshed the ink pad on my palette several times, mixing with the white paste until I got the colour I wanted.  Worked great.  I used my Stencil Pal to spread the paste evenly and you can easily scrape the leftovers off to use again later.  Once dry, I fussy-cut the heart and popped it up on my card front with a simple sentiment stamped below.

Everytime I mix up paste with colour I always end up with way too much (better than too little). :)  So this time I used it all up and ended up with three pretty cards.

Second card - using another stencil cut with my silhouette cameo.

For the last card I used a large piece of the designer paper so there isn't very much white space on my card, so it's not for the CAS challenge, but wanted to share with you.  I used the Layered Roses stencil from Tim Holtz.  Works perfectly with this old-fashioned looking patterned paper.

Please check out the reminder post to see new cards from our talented Designers, and this month's wonderful Guest Designer Gundi.

Challenge is still open for another six days.  Come play along!

Stamps:  Fond Expressions (STAMPlorations); Large Fancy Sentiments (Just Write Stamps)
Paper:  White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Patterned paper ?
Ink:  Black (Memento); Stormy Sky Distress Ink (Tim Holtz)
Accessories & Tools:  White embossing paste (Dreamweaver); palette knife, stencil pal, Stencils: Layered Roses (Tim Holtz); Leafy Heart and Tulips - Silhouette America cut files, Silhouette Cameo, Acetate sheets

Challenges:
CAS Stencil October Challenge - Patterned Paper

Love Bug Christmas

Hi everyone.  Today's card is a reminder for the CAS Christmas challenge - Winter Scene, hosted by the wonderfully talented Susan!

I used another NBUS stamp ... this time from Unity.  I thought this was adorable and had to buy the set. :)

I stamped in permanent black ink, set with my heat tool (just to be safe) and then watercoloured using distress inks.  I added a light gray wash to the background when I was finished.  This seemed to be perfect for a square card, so cut it down and added a thin red card stock frame, popping up the panel on my square card base.  I stamped a sentiment from the same stamp set in red to finish.

Close-up ...

We have Lyn as our Guest Designer this month.  She has created a gorgeous Winter Scene card ... check it out on the reminder post of the challenge blog.  And you've got to see the cards from our Designers - WOW!  You WILL be inspired!  Come play along!

Stamps:  Love Bug Christmas (Unity Stamp Co.)
Paper:  Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.); Real Red (Stampin' Up!); White card base (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Black (Versafine); Distress Inks:  Tumbled ?, Twisted Citron, Mowed Lawn, Mustard Seed, Wild Honey, Candied Apples, Salty Ocean, Black Soot (Tim Holtz), Smoky Slate (Stampin' Up!)
Accessories & Tools:  water brush, white gel pen

Challenges:
CAS Christmas October Challenge - Winter Scene