Oh, Christmas Tree

Hi everyone.  I've made a Christmas Tree card to play along with a couple of fun challenges.  I used a pretty tree die called Corbel Tree Collage (Simon Says Stamp).  The die cuts away the design leaving the card front with the aperture.  I cut it from both white card stock and from card stock layered with Persian Dawn (Cosmic Shimmer) Gilding Flakes.  I love the beautiful colours from these gilding flakes. :)  It took me a while to add all the little bits on top of the background, but I'm happy with how it looks finished.

Close-up ...

The photo from above shows a lot more of the shimmer of these beautiful gilding flakes. :)

Sending this card to the Christmas Craft Creations Challenge for June - Trees.

And sending it to Rudolph Days June Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes.

I so appreciate all the hard work of the Owners and Designers from these challenges.  They help keep my Christmas card stash growing throughout the year.  Thank you!

And thank you for stopping by!

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Stamps:  Love Bug Christmas (sentiment) - Unity

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:   Versamark
Accessories:   Corbel Tree Collage die (Simon Says Stamp), Persian Dawn Gilding Flakes (Cosmic Shimmer, Gold Embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool

Challenges:

Christmas Craft Creations Challenge for June - Trees

Rudolph Days June Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes

Penny Black - Blooming

Hi everyone.  I'm back with another of the new release from Penny Black.  This image is called Blooming (40-850) and I love the large size, this time having it go off the edge.  The lovely shape of the flowers could be several different kinds of flowers.  Today I made them into Himalayan Blue Poppies, watercoloured with Distress Inks:  Salty Ocean and Mowed Lawn.  I added some Black Soot ink to the centers and sponged more of the mowed lawn in opposite corners.  

The sentiment is from another new release, So Thankful (30-914), and it finishes my simple watercoloured card.

Close-up ...

I started my card using the colours from the latest challenge at Color Hues (#43).  Love this combination!

Thank you for stopping by!

Penny Black Products

Blooming (40-850)

So Thankful (30-914)

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Stamps:  Blooming, So Thankful (both Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Black (Memento); Distress Inks:  Salty Ocean, Mowed Lawn, Black Soot (Tim Holtz) 
Accessories:   Clear embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool, sponge

Challenges:

Color Hues #43 - Blue and Green

Penny Black - Duet

Hi everyone.  Today I've used a few different die-cuts to create this pretty thank you card.  The die-cut flowers are from the latest release from Penny Black, Duet ((51-736). 

I die-cut two sets of the flowers from mixed media paper and sponged each with distress inks: Worn Lipstick, Candied Apple, Mowed Lawn.

I then stamped the jug in black ink from the set called Country Charisma (30-690), heat embossing in clear.  The jug was cut out using the matching die (Country Charisma (51-634), before using a Versamark pen to add random clear ink and heat embossing with Fractured Ice embossing powder (Allure).

Using an exacto knife, I cut a small slit near the top of the jug to weave through the stems from the flowers.  The whole jug of flowers was popped up over the sweet thank you sentiment (So Thankful  30-914).

Close-up ...

Adding this to the Snippets Challenge #430 ... I used snippets for everything except the card base. :)  So happy to be playing along after missing a few challenges! :)

And sending it also to the Penny Black Saturday Challenge for June.

And to the Simon Says Wednesday challenge - this week is Add a Sentiment.  I think the sentiment is perfect for this bunch of flowers in a jug.

Thank you for stopping by!

Penny Black Products

Duet (51-736)

Country Charisma (30-690)

Country Charisma cut out (51-634)

So Thankful (30-914)

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Thank you.

Stamps:  Country Charisma; So Thankful (both from Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Black (Memento); Distress Inks:  Worn Lipstick, Candied Apple, Mowed Lawn (Tim Holtz) 
Accessories:   Duet die (Penny Black); Country Charisma cut out (Penny Black); Clear embossing powder (Tim Holtz); Fractured Ice embossing powder (Allure), sponges

Challenges:
Snippets Challenge #430

PBSC June Challenge

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Add a Sentiment

Christmas Wreath

Hi everyone.  The challenge at CAS Christmas this month is Wreath, hosted by the talented Linda.  I thought I'd add one more card to the gallery before it closes.  I was inspired by Jeanne, who entered a card using the wreath image from Watching Bloom (Memory Box) which is retired.  I pulled out the set from my stash and there was already a wreath stamped, watercoloured, and die-cut.  Really?  I made it for another project that it didn't quite work for ... it was that easy to make this card.  I also used a background of embossed falling snow from my stash (gift from a friend) AND a JOY die already cut from black.  It was meant to be.  Took me about 5 minutes to put together. :)  Gotta love that!

Close-up ...

Thanks for stopping by!

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Stamps:  Watching Bloom - retired (Memory Box)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb.); Black card stock (SU!)
Ink:   Black (Memento), Zigs
Accessories:   Matching die from Watching Bloom stamp set - retired (Memory Box), clear embossing powder (Ranger), Joy die (AliExpress)

Challenges:
CAS Christmas June Challenge - Wreath

June CAS Christmas Reminder - Wreath

Hi everyone.  Today is the reminder for June's CAS Christmas Challenge - Wreath, hosted by Linda (Lin's Crafty Corner).

I used a piece of white card in my leftover to create a panel with the Christmas Wreaths stencil (STAMPlorations), sponging with two shades of green.  I thought about masking all those little berries, but in the end, it was just too much time, so I used Autumn Red Crystal drops (Nuvo) to add overtop to create my red berries.  Way quicker and worked great! :)  I finished by adding the panel to a bright green mini slimline card base.  Personally, I find the slimline size cards pretty big ... but have found the mini slimline to be a bit too small for me as well.  I definitely like my A2 cards the best. :)  I added a white heat embossed sentiment (Deco Christmas (retired) - Tim Holtz).

Close-up ...

I hope you'll check out the challenge blog to see the other beautiful reminder cards from our Designers.  If you haven't played along yet, there's still a week left to go before it closes.  Hope to see you in the gallery!

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Thank you.

Stamps:  Deco Christmas - retired (Tim Holtz)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Gumball Green card stock - retired (SU!)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness; Versamark
Accessories:   Christmas Wreaths stencil (STAMPlorations), sponges, Autumn red crystal drops (Nuvo), White embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool

Challenges:
CAS Christmas June Challenge - Wreath

June CAS Mix Up Reminder - Pastes / Gels

Hi everyone.  I'm back with a reminder card for June's CAS Mix Up Challenge - Pastes and/or Gels.  I've had fun getting messy with my pastes. :)  I need to do that more often.

Today I started with a background that I made AGES ago.  I smooshed the background with Aged Mahogany and Squeezed Lemonade distress inks.  Once dry, I placed the Tim Holtz Flourish stencil over top and added a layer of crackle paste with my palette knife.  Does it look familiar?? ... it's the header background for my blog. :)

I added a die-cut flower (Sketch Daisy from Memory Box - retired), cut from pieces of mixed media paper that was sponged with Aged Mahogany distress ink and Old Olive dye ink (SU!).  The sentiment is also from Memory Box (Watching Bloom - retired).  

Close-up ...

I hope you'll check out the challenge blog to see the reminder cards from our DT.  And I hope you'll join us for this fun challenge.  Still over one week before it closes on the 24th.

I'm sending this card over to Seize the Birthday #240 - Use Your Favourite Technique.  I love using my stencils because they are so versatile. :)

Thanks for stopping by!

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Stamps:  Watching Bloom - retired (Memory Box)0

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Aged Mahogany, Squeezed Lemonade (Tim Holtz); Old Olive ink (SU!)
Accessories:   water mister, Flourish stencil (Tim Holtz), Crackle Paste (DecoArt), palette knife, Sketch Daisy die - retired (Memory Box), sponges

Challenges:
CAS Mix Up June Reminder - Pastes / Gels

Seize the Birthday #240 - Use Your Favourite Technique

Penny Black - Whisper

Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing a card that uses one of the new dies from Penny Black, Whisper (51-737).

A couple of years ago, my dear friend Bonnie introduced me to print making with die-cuts.  I love this technique.  Not only do you get an etheral looking background of the same die-cut image, but it's also a great way to stretch the use of your dies.

I started by die-cutting the flower twice from mixed media paper.  I flipped one over to the back (this is used for the print and will give you the same direction as the top die ... or you can used it right side up to have the flower pointing in the opposite direction).  Both were watercoloured with distress inks:  Abandoned Coral, Ripe Persimmon, Picked Raspberry, Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint.  I used a little more colour on the die-cut I was using to make the background print.  I saturated the flipped die-cut with water and then placed it onto my watercolour paper card front.  I pressed down to transfer the ink.  Removed the die-cut and left both the die-cut and printed card front to dry.

For the card front, I added a lovely sentiment, Penny Black's Not Older, Better (30-896), stamped in the same Peeled Paint distress ink used for the stems.  I added the second die-cut on top, popping it up with pop dots for added dimension, and adding some gold pearls to the center of the large flower.  I used the die-cut from making my print, adding more inks from the same colour of distress inks and then let it dry.  I cut it down (about half) and placed it on the inside of my card.

Close-up ...

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!

Penny Black Products

Whisper (51-737)

Not Older, Better (30-896)

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Stamps:  Not Older, Better (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb.); Arches Watercolour Paper (Hot Press 140 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Abandoned Coral, Ripe Persimmon, Picked Raspberry, Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Whisper die (Penny Black), paint brushes, water mister, gold pearls

Penny Black - Lovely Letter

Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing a card made with one of the stamps (Lovely Letter) from the newest release from Penny Black.

I started with a piece of smooshed background from my stash.  Luckily, it was just large enough to hold the whole image and fit with the white checked washi tape on the right side.  The background was smooshed a while ago, but I believe I used Magicals from Lindy because I can see a bit of shimmer.  The image was stamped in black ink and heat embossed with clear embossing powder.  I added watercolouring with distress inks:  Picked Raspberry, Candied Apple, Peeled Paint, Brushed Corduroy, and Gathered Twigs.  I used the same colours on the bird as the flowers and teacup so the colours all work together.  To finish, I stamped "Happy Birthday" in the letter (the set comes with three different sentiments that fit).  And I added a light wash of Gathered Twigs to anchor my tea cup, along with small white dots to decorate the rim of the cup.

Close-up ...

I had so much fun painting this whimsical bouquet of flowers and bird.  :)

I'm sending this over to the Penny Black Saturday Challenge for June - Anything Goes with optional twist "Transport".  I skipped the optional twist this time, although I guess we could stretch that the bird is transporting the letter. :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Penny Black Products

Lovely Letter

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Stamps:  Lovely Letter (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Magicals (Lindy's Stamp Gang); Black Ink:  Memento; Distress Inks:  Picked Raspberry, Candied Apple, Peeled Paint, Brushed Corduroy, Gathered Twigs (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   water mister, clear embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool, white gel pen, white checked washi tape (AliExpress)

Challenges:
PBSC for June - Anything Goes

Metallic Butterfly ... and Jessie

Hi everyone.  Playing along with a two challenges today, both which determined my card design.

First, "Can You Handle the Pressure?" - which is Anything Goes Dry Embossing with an optional twist of Butterflies.  I hope one butterfly is OK. :)  I've used two embossing folders for my main panel to create a double embossed panel.  First, Woodgrain planks (SU!) and then embossed on top with Layered Leaves (SU!) - both folders are retired.

And also the Memory Box June Challenge - Metallic Mania.  I used Gilding Flakes for the butterfly and gold ink for the sentiment and to add a tiny bit of sparkle to the background of the main panel.  I used Memory Box Moonlight Butterfly die (retired) and Memory Box sentiment from Watching Bloom stamp set (also retired).

Seems like I used all retired items for this card.  I find that companies now seem to retire their items quite quickly.  SU! has always done that, but the other manufacturers are following suit.  Too bad in my opinion.  I hold on to ones that I love and continue to use them.  The only company that rarely retired products if Penny Black - thank goodness!

Close-up ...

After double embossing my panel, I used a small sponge dauber to add a bit of Shabby Shutters distress ink on top of the leaf embossing, followed by a light dab of gold paint on top of the green.  Hard to see in the photo, but the gold ink has a little sparkle in it and it shows up in real life.

Thanks for coming by for a visit!

* * * * *

Jessie - 3 years old

Photo Shoot

   

   

Photographs by

Alejandro Garcia Photography

Email:   sendtodreambox@gmail.com

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Thank you.

Stamps:  Watching Bloom - retired (Memory Box)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Shabby Shutters distress ink (Tim Holtz); Delicata Gold ink (Tsukineko) 
Accessories:   Woodgrain embossing folder and Layered Leaves embossing folder - both retired (SU!), Moonlight butterfly die - retired (Memory Box), Verdigris Gilding Flakes (Cosmic Shimmer), Sookwang double sided tape, sponges

Challenges:
Can You Handle the Pressure? - optional twist of Butterflies

Memory Box June Challenge - Metallic Mania

June CAS Christmas Challenge - Wreath

Hi everyone.  So happy to be back with the June CAS Christmas Challenge after taking a three month break.  This month is host by lovely Linda (Lin's Craft Corner) and she would like us to include a wreath on our cards.

I started by stamping Festive Wreath - retired (Avery Elle) in black ink onto mixed media paper.  I heat embossed in clear before fussy-cutting out the wreath and bow.

I used distress inks to watercolour the wreath (Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness), berries and bow (Candied Apple, Fired Brick).  I dry embossed a white card front with Brick - retired (Stamper's Anonymous) and popped up the wreath and bow on top.  I die-cut a sentiment banner (Small Folder Banners - Simon Says Stamp) and stamped the sentiment (Banners - Penny Black) in black ink, heat embossing in clear to match the image.  The banner is popped up on top of the wreath.

Close-up ...

We are so happy to have Sue (Sue's Card Craft) as our Guest Designer this month.  Welcome Sue!

Please check out the challenge blog to see the wonderful Wreath CAS cards from our Guest Designer Sue and our fabulous Design Team.  Then come play along!

Remember to keep your card CAS (clean and simple) with open space.

Thanks for stopping by!

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Stamps: Festive Wreath - retired (Avery Elle)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media paper (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:  Black ink (Memento); Distress Inks:  Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Candied Apple, Fired Brick (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Clear embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool, paint brushes, Brick Embossing Folder - retired (Stamper's Anonymous); Small Folded Banners die (Simon Says Stamp)

Challenges:
CAS Christmas June Challenge - Wreath