Succulents and Baubles

It's that time of year, Christmas is near, and today I'm here with some holiday cheer!  One last Christmas card for 2017 and then I'll take a break to thoroughly enjoy the holiday.

For this card I colored a Power Poppy digital stamp called "Wreath:  Succulents and Baubles".  Kept it very simple with some bright, festive color and lots of white.  These simple cards really have my heart lately, I tell you.

There's a Lil' Inker Silly Stitched die border which makes an impression, but doesn't cut the outer edge, so I saved a layer there.  Love that.  I cut two designer paper panels with a stitched die, added a ric rac die cut and some enamel dots.  Popped up the image panel.  Lots of stitchy-ness going on here.  The card base is Neenah 110 lb which is very sturdy and nice for a card with minimal layers.

I've been receiving some pretty fabulous Christmas cards, both hand stamped and store bought, and they're all on display, making spirits bright.  A million thanks to everyone who has taken the time to bless me and my family with their happy Christmas wishes!  Have a beautiful holiday and I'll see you again shortly after.  Hugs and love!

Stamps:  Power Poppy digi "Wreath:  Succulents and Baubles"  Paper:  Neenah Classic Crest Solar White (colored image), Neenah 110 lb white card base, red, Graphic 45 'Twas the Night Before Christmas designer paper  Ink:  Printer, Copics for coloring  Accessories:  Enamel dots, Memory Box Stitched Circle Layers, Taylored Expressions Stitched Rectangle Stacklets, Taylored Expressions Ric Rac Borders, Lil' Inker Silly Stitched Die Set, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

Double D "Baby It's Cold Outside" - Winter Challenge

Well, hello!  Today's Double D challenge makes me feel like putting an extra sweater on.  Brrrr!  "Baby it's Cold Outside" is the theme and here's the card I created based on a portion of the inspiration board:

My blue, white, and silver card uses the Power Poppy Bough Wow Wow set, all colored with Copics and glittered with Stickles and Wink of Stella.  The white card base is stamped in blue and soft gray and trimmed with silver sticker strips.

Our board has lots of choices to inspire you.

As always, the team votes on favorites, plus there's a prize for a random winner:

I guess you can see which part of the inspiration board I focused on.

The silver glittery oval was cut in white, then colored with a gray Copic marker, smooshed with Versamark ink and embossed with a Stardust embossing powder which I've had for years.  Many thanks to my friend, Sherri, for sending that die cut (and many more) for my crafting fun.  This kind of sharing has oftentimes prompted me to purchase certain dies for my own collection.  A test run, so to speak.  Thank you, Sherri!

Okay, friends... this is our last Double D challenge of 2017, so have yourself a good time making a wintry creation or two and playing along.  See all kinds of chilly creations and get more details here.  I'll see you again soon!

Stamps:  Power Poppy Bough Wow Wow clear set  Paper:  Neenah 110 lb white, other white  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Stampin' Up! Bashful Blue, Ranger Archival Shadow Grey, Versamark, Copics for coloring  Accessories:  Stardust embossing powder, Stardust and Silver Stickles glitter glue, clear Wink of Stella brush glitter pen, peel off border stickers, Marianne Designs Oval LR0240, Spellbinders Elegant Ovals

Snowflake Bird With and Without the Snowflakes

Hello again!  Have I mentioned I've started on next year's Christmas cards?  Just being practical.  By December this year I had only about half of them done, and hurrying takes some of the fun out of it for me, not to mention the mess it makes in my room, sheesh.

Today's cards were some of the last to go in the mail this year.  I used the beautiful Memory Box Snowflake Bird and Airin Bird Background.  I bought and used the Snowflake Bird last year and didn't even know there was a background bird for it until I saw it on Darlene's blog.  Well, lo and behold, she sent it to me this year.  Thank you, Darlene!  I truly do get by with a little help from my friends.

I used the birds and a variety of dies and glitter paper.  So, where are the snowflakes on the card up front?  Well, gosh, I decided to break the seal on my Tutti Pine Cone Branch and the snowflakes just didn't work out.  Funny thing, it turned out to be my favorite, and so simple.

Note the wood grain card base on the front card.  I've wanted that wood grain paper forever, but it seemed to be out of stock everywhere I went and after a while I forgot or gave up or something.  Well... recently I followed a link from someone's blog (forgot whose) to a good source:  CutCardStock.  Outstanding quality, matching envelopes, fast shipping.  I appreciated the recommendation so thought I'd pass it along.  They have so much more, too.  Lots to look at there!

I'm cutting corners on time, so I didn't get pictures of the cards with the actual Snowflake Bird on them, but here's one from last year in which you can see I pieced together a solid bird background:

Dang, I like that card, but too much work for when I'm hurrying.  See, that's why I'm better off stamping ahead.

I've kept you long enough and you've got lots to do, I'm sure.  I'll leave you with holiday hugs and wishes.  Take care!

Two Chilly Characters

Hello and happy day to you!  Moving right along with the Christmas activities...  Cards are in the mail, some presents have been wrapped.  My week is all planned out and it even allows for some leisure time.  I'm doing better than I thought!  How are you doing?  Busy, but enjoying it?  My son pointed out that if I didn't enjoy it I shouldn't do it, so I'm officially having fun!

Today's cards were sent to some long-time friends who are really more like family.  You know the saying "friends are the family you choose yourself"?  We raised our kids together, went on vacations together, mourned family losses together... but today it's all about the merry.

First card:

• Memory Box Snowman Heart Collage
• Poppystamps Snowflake Ribbon
• Taylored Expressions Stitched Rectangle Stacklets

These collage dies have some small, fiddly parts, but still make for quick cards.  They even have tiny dots that cut out for the eyes and snowman buttons, but I did those with a Sakura glaze pen.  All parts were cut in white and any coloring was done with Copics.

I used white glitter paper for the Snowflake Ribbon on the first card, and some old SU patterned paper on both.  The "merry" sentiment is Power Poppy.

Penguin card:

• Memory Box Penguin Collage
• Poppystamps Marais Snowflake
• Taylored Expressions Stitched Rectangle Stacklets

I'll check in with you later this week.  Happy holidays!

Merry Christmas Tree

Hello there!  I was away from the blog a little longer than planned, but happily I've gotten some cleaning and decorating and shopping done, and about half my Christmas cards written up and in the mail.  That's a time consuming process isn't it?  I forget every year how long it takes.  And I still need to make more!

Today's card is clean and bright and relatively simple.  I cut out the Bugaboo Merry Christmas Tree and then colored with Copics.  Glittered the tree's garland.  Die cut a white panel with a Lil' Inker Silly Stitched die and added the Poppystamps Snowflake Breeze.  Matted with red.

For a little something extra I cut a second Snowflake Breeze and glued it to the back of the stitched panel, all matched up in a continual line.  I did that before I glued down the stitched panel.  That probably goes without saying, doesn't it?  After the stitched panel was glued to the card base I trimmed flush the overhanging ends of the Snowflake Breeze.  Make sense?

Lastly, I ran a Copic B0000 marker along the edges of the Snowflake Breeze to help it stand out from the card a little more, then popped up the tree and added star sequins.

Back to making more Christmas cards now.  Have a happy day!

Stamps:  Bugaboo Merry Christmas Tree digi  Paper:  Neenah 110 lb white, SU! Real Red  Ink:  Printer, Copics for coloring  Accessories:  Sequins, Stickles Diamond glitter glue, Lil' Inker Silly Stitched die set, Poppystamps Snowflake Breeze, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

More Merry Making Holiday Birds

So. . .  when I was over at Lil' Inker picking up the "Oh Deer" stamp set I'd had bookmarked for months, a few other things jumped into my cart as well.  I can never seem to get just one item.  This was my first time at Lil' Inker and I'm happy to report they have a good quality product.  It's fun to try something new once in a while, isn't it?

When I saw this "'Tis the Season" set I knew it was so me.  Just the right balance of whimsical and pretty.  I love bird stamps, anyway, and this bird is easy coloring.  Let your hair hang down coloring.  He could be purple if you wish.  I made four cards.

The stamped image on Card #2 was heading for the trash because I dropped the sentiment onto the image after I stamped it.  Bet you've never done that before, have you?  Luckily, I hadn't colored yet.  However, I realized most of the "ghosting" could be cut away, and that's how it ended up like this, all clean and simple and maybe my favorite of the bunch.

Two more with designer paper:

• I stamped on Neenah 110 lb white.
• The designer paper is old BasicGrey Eskimo Kisses.
• Copic coloring.
• Glossy Nuvo Crystal Drops in Apple Green.

Thank you for bearing with me while I finish up my Christmas cards.  I hope it doesn't get too tiresome.  It's unbelievable to me that we're at December 1st already.   Enjoy your day!

Season's Tweetings

More from the Christmas Card Workshop today!  I'm determined to use all my new or not-yet-used Christmas stamps this year, preferably at least two with each set.  Today it's Power Poppy's Tweet Tidings.  I loved this Chickadee in Barberry as a digital set, but even more now that the Chickadee has a little friend to sing with.  I think those music notes take the cuteness to a whole new level.

The coloring is a combination of Copics and watercolor.  Stamped in Memento ink on Arches 140 lb hot pressed watercolor paper, the stamped images are colored with Copic markers.  I like the softer look you get using Copics on watercolor paper, plus I was able to add a gentle glow around them with the watercolor.  You can do that with Copics, too, but for me it's easier, quicker, more subtle and more nicely blended with watercolor.  Watch out for the Memento ink, though.  It will bleed if it gets too wet.

As you can see, the Chickadees are out singing in a snow flurry.  My white paint splatters nearly obscured the bird on the upper branch, and my banner covers up most of the other bird, but I still like it.  At any rate, it's a stamp and I can make more.

So I did.  No paint splatters on the next card, but I added snow using a white pearl pen and microfine glitter.  I also managed to use some of my new Christmas ribbon, which I thought was just the ticket with this stamp set, even though I had to think hard to figure how to work it in.  My brain doesn't seem to think in terms of ribbon these days.

Additionally, Card #2 utilizes an embossing folder on Core'dinations paper, sanded to bring out the pattern.  More details are in the recipe below my signature.

Lots of stamping going on at my house, but I had to stop long enough to restock the groceries, sigh...  We have to eat, and Thanksgiving emptied out the refrigerator.  Enjoy your day!

Stamps:  Power Poppy Tweet Tidings  Paper:  Arches 140 lb hot pressed watercolor, Stampin' Up! Mellow Moss, Core'dinations for the embossing folder, Bazzill Walnut, American Crafts Kringle and Co designer paper  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, SU So Saffron and Crumb Cake for watercolor halo, Copic markers for coloring stamped images  Accessories:  Ribbon, sequins, Viva Decor Ice White Pearlen-Pen, Elizabeth Craft Warm Diamonds Microfine Glitter, white acrylic paint, Cuttlebug Heritage Collection embossing folder  Dies:  Spellbinders Ribbon Banners, Poppystamps Main Street Stitched Tags, Taylored Expressions Basic Buckles

Mr. Purdy Loves the Snow

Welcome back!  A big ol' snow fall may not be everyone's idea of a good time, but Mr. Purdy loves it.  He feels like celebrating!  Doesn't he look happy?

I think his name is Mr. Purdy.  I'm not sure.  He's a stamp from Plum Purdy which doesn't even makes stamps anymore.  Some of the best stamps are the oldies.

I colored with Copic markers and touched some of the snow with glitter, then framed him with Poppystamps Dancing Snowflake Frame.  I used some new-to-me Nuvo Jewel Drops for accent -- translucent with a hint of color.  The sentiment is from a handy little Poppystamps set called Believe in Magic.

I made two of these cards exactly alike.  Moving right along!  Sorry to rush off, but I've got a lot more coloring to do.  Merry, merry!

Vintage Baby

Hello, friends!  Well, it's Shop Till You Drop Day or, as in my case, Stay Home and Craft Day.  I've got a baby shower to go to tomorrow and I finished the card in the nick of time.  Easiest card I ever made, too, seeing as how the paper did all the work.

It's busy times like these I'm happy I've got a cupboard full of designer paper.  The mom to be loves vintage so I pulled out this Graphic 45 "Precious Memories" collection.  Oh, I thought about fancying it up a bit more, but in the end I just cut a scalloped edge and added ribbon and buttons.  The folded card measures 3 3/4" x 6 3/4".

There's not much to shout about except to say it's okay to go easy on yourself sometimes.  It's still a hand crafted card and Graphic 45 did a much better job than I could have done in a pinch.  Now I'm heading back to the coloring table for a while.  Have a happy day!

Gingerbread Couples

Hi!  No coloring today, except on the die cuts, but I thought I'd share my cute little gingerbread couples.  Just quick and fun!

The first card shows the Die-namites Gingerbread Couple in their entirety.  Cut in white and colored with Copics.  The card is busy with designer paper and curlicues and snowflakes, but very Christmas-y.  Spellbinders Elegant Ovals and Lawn Fawn Stitched Snowflakes were used on both cards, and the designer paper is Echo Park "The Story of Christmas".

The next card is simpler, at least in the design.  This time I cut two couples, one from red card stock and one from green.  Cut away their border and arranged them along the lower curve of the oval.  The sentiment is from Power Poppy's "Spice it Up" set.

I made a third card with the Gingerbread Couple, too, but didn't photograph it.  I've been very busy with the Christmas cards, time willing, and not all of them will get photographed.  I'm really hoping I'll make so many cards I'll have some left over for next year.  A girl can dream, can't she?

Sweet gingerbread wishes for happy holidays, including Thanksgiving for all who are observing it this week!

Spice it Up with Purple

Hello, friends!  Monday again and counting down to Thanksgiving here in the US.  This has always been a favorite week because, not only did it mean special time with family, but it was extra days off work.  Always a rush getting ready, but since retirement I have time to prepare so it's even better!

I do not have a Thanksgiving card today, but it's somewhat food related.  I've colored some spiced up oranges all tumbled up with cranberries and Christmas baubles.

The stamp set is "Spice it Up" from a 2015 Power Poppy Christmas release.  The bright colors make it festive and the sentiment is fun.  Just rummaging through my Power Poppy stamps looking for a sentiment and I felt compelled to stop and color.  I did use the sentiments from this set on some other cards, but the images are so pretty...

Coloring is Copics on Neenah 110 lb, then cut a pretty border with an oft used favorite Spellbinders A2 Bracket Borders One.  A scrap of Graphic 45 paper, sequins, and baker's twine -- an easy finish.

I'm sure I'll be back on Wednesday, but if I don't "see" you I'd like to wish a happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate.  Take care!

Baby Sweet Pea

What, no Christmas card today?  You wouldn't believe the rate at which I've been making them.  It's all this rain.  Nice weather for hiding out in my stamp room.  Well, the babies keep coming with no regard for the time of year, and they're always a delight.  This card welcomes a third little girl to the family next door.

It's all die cuts so relatively quick... you'd think.  These things still take time.  The Die-namites "Sweet Pea" front and center is another of my bargain basement finds at Dies R Us.  I might be doing a good job of clearing them out as this one is gone now.  It's bigger than I expected, even though dimensions are clearly written on the packaging, but it all worked out in the end.

Other dies are as follows:

Spellbinders Grand Squares --  for the pink frame
Joy Craft Square -- all pretty with lattice for the peas to grow on
Memory Box Stitched Scalloped Circles
Memory Box Precious Hearts

More Christmas cards coming next week, but there's another baby on the way, as well.  I'll see you soon.  Thanks so much for stopping by!

Here Comes Santa Double D Challenge

Hello again and welcome to another Double D challenge!  Santa will be here before you know it, so that's our challenge today -- Here Comes Santa!

And here's my card made with Power Poppy's Flowering Santa:

Our inspiration board:

And a prize for a random winner:

The snowy Santa in the middle of the inspiration board was my jumping off point.  I watercolored with a combination of Tombow markers and Spectrum Noir sparkle pens.  The snowflake dies were coated with micro-fine glitter.  The snowflake dots were made with a white pearl pen, then sprinkled with micro-fine glitter.

I know there's going to be awe-inspiring entries for this challenge.  You all have knocked my socks off many times!  Team Darlene and Team Diane have lots for you to see on the Double D blog, too, so hop over to check them out, and then play along with your own Santa.  Enjoy!

Stamps:  Power Poppy "Flowering Santa" clear stamp set  Paper:  Arches 140 lb hot pressed watercolor, red Bazzill card base, Neenah 110 lb white for snowflake die cuts  Ink:  Ranger Archival Watering Can (dark gray), Palette Noir for sentiment  Coloring:  Tombow markers and Spectrum Noir watercolor sparkle pens  Accessories:  Viva Decor Pearlen Pen - Ice White, Elizabeth Craft Warm Diamonds micro-fine glitter  Dies:  Lil' inker Designs Side Stitched Rectangles, Spellbinders Create-a-Flake Five

The Christmas Gang's All Here

It's looking mighty Christmasy in my stamp room lately.  I'm really getting into the spirit of it now.  Birthday cards for this month are done, Thanksgiving cards are ready to mail, so why not?

Today I've got one that's all cute and fun.  When we went camping in our trailer last month I took my Copics and all the digis I had printed up, but the only one I colored was this Bugaboo "Christmas Trio Blocks".  Now it's made into a card and ready to share.

There's some more of my new Christmas ribbon doubling as a sentiment.  First time use of those cute little Christmas trees, too.  Over a period of time I've taken advantage of the greatly reduced close-out prices on Die-namites dies at Dies R Us.  These trees are called "Slender Trees".  No longer available, but they still have some nice dies for picking and choosing.  They always look better when cut than they do on the packaging.

Each tree is cut once from green glitter paper and once from Neenah 110 lb white, then layered for a little bit of dimension.

I mentioned camping...

LuLu spotted her collar where it was hanging to dry, and she wanted to put her "jewelry" back on.  Wally and LuLu loved the trailer and the whole camping experience.  When there are a few unclaimed days and a break in the weather we can't wait to go again.

It's a busy time for stampers, but what a good time it is!  I'm glad you stopped by for this little respite.  See you again soon!

Stamps:  Bugaboo "Christmas Trio Blocks" digital stamp  Paper:  X-Press It Blending Card, Neenah 110 lb white, green glitter card stock, retired SU Polka Dot Parade designer paper  Ink:  Printer, Copics for coloring  Accessories:  Stickles Stardust glitter glue, ribbon, Die-namites Slender Trees dies

Oh Deer, Christmas is Near!

You know you love a stamp set a lot when you bookmark it after seeing it on someone's blog and months later you still love it enough to go back and get it.  That's the story with this "Oh Deer" stamp set by Lil' inkers.  I was smitten after seeing this card on Joan Bardee's blog way back in May, but I waited... and then when I was a lucky random winner in Darnell's most recent NBUS (never before used schtuff) challenge I went shopping.  Of course, you can never get just one thing, can you?  More on that later.  Many thanks to Joan and Darnell!

As soon as I had time I sat down and made three cards, similar, but with small differences.  All are watercolored with Tombow markers on Arches 140 lb hot pressed watercolor paper.  The first is on a red card base.

The next two are on a kraft-color base.  Each uses a different paper from the retired BasicGrey "Jovial" collection, and the curve is cut with Spellbinders A2 Bracket Borders One.  I changed up the banner color on each card and gave one a blue wash in the background.  Finished with some splatters toward the top of each image.

There's one more sentiment in the set, plus snow and holly berry stamps, but I'll save those for another time.  Three cards is all I had in me when it comes to production line stamping.  I hope you enjoyed!  These are my first Lil' inkers stamps and they've got me hooked now.  Have a happy day!