February Christmas Cards

I'm having a hard time working up the enthusiasm for Christmas cards this time of year.  However, I got two done just under the wire for the month of February.  The thing is, I enjoy the process no matter what kind of cards I'm making... it's just the getting started that's hard.

These cards use Power Poppy's Holly Go Lightly set from their 2016 Christmas release.  I used darned near every stamp in the set and that makes me feel good.

Both cards use a background cut with Die-namics Stitched Cover Up Companion.  I cut it once from designer paper and once from kraft card stock, and switched around the inside panels.  Stickles Stardust glitter was added to make the holly more jolly.  There's Wink of Stella on the ribbon and baubles in the first card, but not visible in the photo.

Both cards can be mailed with one postage stamp.  This brings my Christmas card total up to four.  I'll have to do better, but at least it's progress.  More card details are written out in the recipe below.  Have a happy day!

Stamps:  Power Poppy Holly Go Lightly clear stamp set  Paper:  Kraft, X-Press It Blending Card for main image of card #1; Neenah 110 lb white for all other stamped pieces, plus embossed panel; Bazzill cream and red card stocks for card bases; American Crafts Kringle & Co designer paper  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black for colored images; SU! Chocolate Chip for main sentiments; Creamy Caramel for vertical sentiment on card #1; CTMH Vanilla Cream for solid holly image stamped faintly on image panel of card #1; Copics for coloring  Accessories:  Stickles Stardust glitter glue, Wink of Stella; Cuttlebug Seeing Spots embossing folder; Die-namics Stitched Cover Up Companion; Memory Box Stitched Circle Layers (#1); Spellbinders Nested Lacy Pennants (#1)

Hey, Pup

Switching gears from Monday's soft and subtle sympathy card, today is all bright and cute and happy.  It's a birthday card for a friend at my former workplace.  She's not a flower kinda gal, but she does love dogs.  Her own is a black Lab mix.  Hence, the black dog.

I colored with Copics, cut out the dog and balloons, and popped up on foam mounting tape.  The dog is a Bugaboo digi -- Pup Balloons.  The "hey" word is a triple layer of SU's Tempting Turquoise, and the green is the very soft and pretty, retired, but still loved SU Gable Green.

I've been at the old stamps again, too, and I have to say it's been a pleasure.  It did me a world of good to clear out my stamp room.  Seriously, can one ever use an acre of stamps?  Is it enough to simply own them?  Two that I saved are in the background of this card -- a Hero Arts brush stroke stamped called Abstract Art, and an Ink Splatters stamp which I believe is D.O.T.S., but I cannot read the label clearly.  There are plenty of brush strokes and splats and splatters on the market today, but these and a couple others I saved will do me just fine for now.

I send birthday cards to all my former coworkers, and since I don't know all their addresses, I mail them to the workplace.  I like the thought of giving them happy mail in the middle of a very stressful day.  Whew, I'm glad I'm out of there, but I still have a great fondness for the folks I spent so many years alongside.  Have a good day!

Stamps:  Bugaboo digi Pup Balloons, Hero Arts Abstract Art, D.O.T.S.(?) Ink Splatters  Paper:  Neenah White, textured white, Gable Green, Tempting Turquoise  Ink:  Printer, Gable Green, Cool Caribbean, Copics for coloring  Accessories:  Taylored Expressions Stitched Rectangle Stacklets, Paper Smooches Hello Words, Memory Box Banner Parade, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

Soft and Subtle Floral Sympathy

Hello, friends!  The other day I endeavored to make some quick and easy, soft, pretty, easy to mail sympathy cards.  The one I'm sharing today was made with Penny Black Delicate Florals and a retired Stampin' Up! sentiment on shimmery ivory card stock.  I stamped once in River Rock and once in the darker True Thyme (both SU! colors, probably retired) and lightly colored with Copics.

I made this card to include in a batch I'm giving to a friend. She's a letter writer in the truest sense, and when she sends a card she completely fills it with correspondence, including the back.  I've received many such cards from her and it's always a pleasure.  For a nice finish inside with plenty of writing space, and to sturdy up the card without adding too much weight or bulk, I lined it with linen texture copy paper.

The copy paper was cut 1/8" smaller than the card and adhered only at one spot on the inside front, near the fold.  Everything stays nicely in place when you open the card.

The lighter image almost looks like it's under vellum, doesn't it?  I like that!

Every now and then it's nice to make a card with so little involved.  It's like taking a rest in between the more detailed projects.  I'll see you again soon.  Until then, have yourself a happy week!

Stamps:  Penny Black Delicate Florals, retired Stampin' Up! All Year Cheer 1 sentiment  Paper:  Shimmer Ivory, linen texture copy paper  Ink:  River Rock, True Thyme, Copic markers for coloring

Sew Sweet with Ric Rac

Hi, there!  We've got another Double D challenge for you today --  Ric Rac or Zig Zag.  I couldn't help but make a sewing-themed thank you card for my crafty seamstress friend.

When you look at the mood board below, you'll see what inspired me.

I'm a little nuts about ric rac and have lots, including a ric rac die set.  Check out the ric rac die that will go to a lucky random winner:

The sentiment on my card is computer generated using a font called "Fabrics", which I downloaded here.  So many fabulous fonts on that site!  The itty bitty sewing machine is an old D.O.T.S. stamp.  There's some quilted embossing on the zig zag stitched layer, but most was covered with the top layer.  It's more apparent when seen in real life.  Of course, I had to add some buttons, which are always so dang cute on a card, but I generally shy away from their lumpiness.

There are lots more samples from the Double D gals, so hop over there and have a look.  Hope you can join us.  Take care!

Stamps:  Old D.O.T.S. sewing machine stamp  Paper:  Neenah 110 lb white, other white, Memory Box Brioche designer paper  Ink:  Printer for computer generated sentiment, Memento Tuxedo Black, Copics for coloring  Accessories:  Ric rac, linen thread, buttons, We R Memory Keepers quilted embossing folder, Memory Box Cross Stitched Frame Borders

Friend to Friend

Happy Valentine's Day!  While I was in the mood for Valentines and pretty papers I made today's very simple card.  Too late to send it this year, but I believe I mentioned that I need to start a year in advance on Valentine cards.  After fall, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas card making is over I'm just not ready for another holiday.  When they're this easy, though, it's another story.  I could make lots very quickly.

I hand cut the flags and punched the three-in-one hearts in the longest flag.  Added the sentiment with sparkly Nuvo Crystal Drops and clear Stickles glitter scattered around.  The Stickles are barely visible in the photo.  I look forward to the sun coming back for better photos.

Pulled out an old D.O.T.S. sentiment set for this one.  Still loving on the old stamps.  It works just fine!  Take care, and have a lovely, chocolatey, flowery day!

Stamps:  Retired D.O.T.S. (now known as CTMH) sentiment  Paper:  Neenah 110 lb white, Whimsy Stamps Whimsy Romance designer paper  Ink:  Versafine Onyx Black  Accessories:  SU! heart punch, pink twine, Nuvo Sherbet Shimmer glitter drops, Stickles Stardust glitter glue

For My Favorite Valentine

I finally came up with something for my son's Valentine.  Not wanting to buy any new Valentine stamps, I looked in my stash and came up with this very old frog stamp.  He's a narcissist, as you can see (the frog, not my son), and I thought it would be comical to use it with the "you're my favorite" sentiment.  The frog is a wood block stamp with no labeling whatsoever, so I don't know the maker or the name of it.  "You're my favorite" is a sentiment from a retired Stampin' Up! set.  The grass along the bank is an old D.O.T.S. stamp.

It was a lot of fun to put the first card together, but I kept imagining the frog on a clean and simple card, so I made this one, too:

The clean and simple card gives the stamp a more updated look.  Now I don't know which one I prefer, but I lean toward the CAS card.  It sure was quick and easy!

Dies used on the first card are as follows:

• Spellbinders Grand Squares (frame)
• Impression Obsession Grass
• Poppystamps Leafy Sprig Border
• Cheery Lynn Faerie Mushrooms
• Spellbinders heart

Coloring was done with Copics, the first on X-Press It Blending Card, and the second on Neenah Classic White.

Do you ever look at your old stamps and long to give them some love?  I've got bunches that are feeling very neglected, so I'm going to try and make a point of using them.  Have a happy day!

No-Line Watercolored Valentine Camellias

Hello!  I'm back today with a card that unintentionally turned into a Valentine.  After I colored these Camellias all rosy red I couldn't help but see them any other way.  I wanted to play along in this month's Power & Spark Challenge at Power Poppy -- "Say YES to NO Lines" -- which is all about no-line coloring.  I like no-line coloring, but it takes time, and sometimes it turns out okay, sometimes not so okay.  I was hoping for a casual, if not completely loose, watercolor look with this one.  All imperfections shall hereto be referred to as "casual" or "loose", LOL!

This is a digital stamp, so I was able to enlarge it to make the no-line coloring easier.  I also goofed around with different filters in Photoshop Elements to soften the outline.  I tried so many different filters and adjustments to the filters that I couldn't begin to tell you how I arrived at this.  I can, however, tell you that it's tons of fun to play around with digi manipulation.  Just remember to keep the original!

After filters were applied I lightened the color a little.  Pictured below is the digi before coloring, along with a well-used paint brush and an open Stampin' Up! ink pad.  I'll sometimes use the open pad for a palette, or I'll drop ink from a reinker into a separate palette.

The curve was cut by slipping the image panel into a large oval die.  Stitched that to the designer paper, tied up with ribbon and tucked a glittered heart next to the ribbon knot.

Inks for watercoloring:

• Blooms -- Rose Red, Bravo Burgundy
• Leaves -- Sage Shadow, Handsome Hunter, More Mustard
• Background -- Pink Pirouette, More Mustard

The challenge link again:

Say YES to NO Lines!




And that's that!  I hope I can pop in again soon.  I have a few cards that need making so maybe I'll have more to share next week.  See you soon!

Stamps:  Power Poppy digital Camellias with sentiment from Potted Primroses  Paper:  Arches 140 lb hot press watercolor, pale pink Bazzill textured, Whimsy Stamps Whimsy Romance designer paper  Ink:  Printer, Versafine Onyx Black for sentiment, Stampin' Up! inks for watercoloring  Accessories:  Organdy ribbon, microfine glitter (on heart), Spellbinders Nested Lacy Pennants, Spellbinders Grand Ovals, Paper Smooches Hearts

Fluffy on the Lily

Sometimes I just feel like making something cute and sweet and easy, and that's why I love a bit of whimsy now and then.  No pun intended, but this is Whimsy Stamps "Fluffy on the Lily".  It's not a new stamp, but one I hadn't colored yet.  I made this card quite a while back and sent it for a birthday.  I hope it's been received by now.

The watercoloring was done with Tombow markers, including the die cuts and punched flowers.  An easy design with ancient SU! designer paper and a Hero Arts sentiment.  Just plain fun!

I can't stay long today, so I'll list ingredients in the recipe below and leave you with a wish for a happy day!

Stamps:  Whimsy Stamps Fluffy on the Lily, Hero Arts Moments  Paper:  Arches 140 lb hot press watercolor, white card base, retired Stampin' Up! designer paper  Ink:  Ranger Archival Shadow Grey and Watering Can, Tombow markers plus SU! Cool Caribbean for watercoloring  Accessories:  Pearls, Memory Box Lavish Branch, Impression Obsession Leaf Cluster, flower punch

A Valentine for my Sweetheart

I was stumped for Valentines this year, trying to come up with something not too frilly for my husband, and trying to avoid buying anything new.  I was on a self-imposed shopping hold for the month of January.  I'd love to send cute little Valentines to all my friends, but I'd probably have to start a year in advance, sheesh.

Anyway...  I remembered my Tutti Designs Tweet Home die and came up with this:

He knows what a backyard bird enthusiast I am, and it's rubbing off on him, so he'll get the connection.

• I layered the "Tweet Home" die three times using Neenah 110 lb card stock.
• Stamped and white-embossed the Power Poppy "Good Thinking: Love Notes" sentiment, positioned the Spellbinders Classic Hearts die over it and cut, then embossed with Sizzix "Branches w/Leaves #2" embossing folder.
• More embossing plus designer paper and gold cord on the center panel.
• Assembled the card, added a rhinestone, and took pictures on a rather dark day so they didn't turn out very good despite all the Ott light I had on the subject.

Inside is matching, but simpler:

Now, to come up with something for my son...

Playing along in two challenges today:

Dies R Us Challenge #66 -- Hearts
Little Red Wagon Challenge #379 -- How Tweet it is (use birds)

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Power Poppy "Good Thinking: Love Notes"  Paper:  Neenah 110 lb white, Real Red, Basic Black, Carta Bella Words of Love designer paper  Ink:  Versamark  Accessories:  Rhinestone, gold cord, white embossing powder, Sizzix Branches w/Leaves #2 embossing folder, Tutti Designs Tweet Home Die, Spellbinders Classic Hearts die, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

Lavender and Lace

Hello!  I'm joining up with Team Diane today to help usher in this fortnight's Double D challenge -- Lavender and Lace.  Sounds pretty, doesn't it?  We'd like to see the color Lavender on your project, along with any kind of lace, be it real lace, die cut lace, stamped lace, or even a lacy doily.  Right away I thought of the Stampin' Up! ink color, Lavender Lace, so that's what I used on my card.

Now, feast your eyes on the inspiration board.  It makes me ooooh and ahhhhh.  Too pretty not to play along!

I was inspired by the rose-adorned tie back on the lacy curtain.  Well, actually, I was inspired by the entire board, but I focused on the rose.  My design doesn't look much like a curtain tie back, but maybe you can see the point from which I jumped.

This is Stampin' Up!'s Stippled Blossoms, probably retired, but still a go-to set for me.  I stamped some flowers down the side, then stamped and cut several more flowers and leaves to arrange in a cascading fashion over the ribbon and lace.  A few sequins and some Black Diamond glitter on the large flower center finish it off.

The Double D team really got their Lavender and Lace on for this challenge.  Many shades, many styles.  Pretty stuff!  Speaking of pretty, we were wow'd by all the entries for our black and white challenge.  Winners are announced on the Double D blog today, too.

Thanks for sharing a little time with me today.  I hope we can do this again soon!

Stamps:  Stampin' Up! Stippled Blossoms and A Greeting for all Reasons  Paper:  Whisper White  Ink:  Lavender Lace, Vintage Violet, So Saffron, More Mustard, Certainly Celery, Old Olive  Accessories:  Sequins, lace, crushed velvet ribbon, Scotch brand foam mounting tape