Alpine Christmas

Hi there!  I'm playing along in the Peace on Earth Challenge with my first Christmas card since January.  It's high time I got down to business as it's only 8 months till mailing time.  I know that you know how quickly those 8 months will pass.

Check out their fun inspiration board:

I have a few Christmas dies I've been admiring as they sit in my basket of not-yet-used toys.  For this card I played with a pair of Tim Holtz die sets which were on sale and so probably from last year.  The more I look at the TH line of dies and embossing folders the more I admire how they all work together.  I may have to become a collector.

I think you can see which corner of the board inspired me.

My Tim Holtz dies are Papercut Christmas #2 and Alpine (mountains).  The Starry Night is an older Taylored Expressions cutting plate.  I punched a circle in the background to make a moon.  The rolling hills are cut from patterned paper then brushed with ink for the varying shades.  Lastly, the Happy Holidays is a Cottage Cutz die.  I was determined to make a Christmas card without snow, hence the green foothills with snow only on the mountain peaks.

Is this not the friendliest looking guy?  The deer and mountains were cut from white and colored simplistically with Copic markers.  The deer's eyes and hooves are quite teensy, but I stayed true and included them as well.  I cut three of his body blank to layer for more dimension.

The deer has a snowman companion in the set which I'll get around to later.

Joining the party at Peace on Earth Christmas Challenge.
I will also link up at Darnell's NBUS Challenge#48 with my never been used Tim Holtz dies.

That's all, folks!  I hope we can get together again soon.  Have a happy day!

Hydrangea and Rose

Hello and welcome to a new week!  I saw some sunshine recently and I'd almost forgotten how much I enjoy it!  It's been mostly cloudy and rainy here.  Not as bad as some places, but enough to inhibit outdoor activities.  Good thing I never tire of my happy place with all the wonderful toys tucked into every nook and cranny, every corner, every cupboard, shelf, basket and bin... you get the picture.

I recently joined the Spellbinders 2D embossing folder club.  The 3D folders are amazing, but for my own practical reasons I joined 2D instead.  The first folder I received is Hydrangea Blooms.  It's the sweetest thing and makes a beautiful background for my Pinkfresh Hydrangea and Rose stamps.

The embossed panel was brushed with white pigment ink directly from foam pad to paper, and the dainty white frame gives the flowers a place to rest without disappearing into the background.  I gold embossed the stamps and colored with Tombows.  I could not seem to get a picture that did justice to the gold and all the rest at the same time, but I know your good imaginations will do the trick.

I'm now heading over to Darnell's NBUS Challenge #48 with my card and its never-before-used Hydrangea Blooms embossing folder.

Also playing along here (thank you for the reminder and invitations, Diane & Darlene):

Triple B March Challenge -- Birds, blooms, and/or butterflies with optional inspiration board.
Can You Handle the Pressure -- anything with an embossing folder.  Did not use the optional rainbow twist this time.

 

 

Thanks so much for stopping by today.  I do enjoy our visits!

Stamps:  Pinkfresh Hydrangea and Rose with matching dies  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot press watercolor, Neenah white, SU Almost Amethyst  Ink:  Versamark, white pigment  Coloring:  Tombow markers  Other:  Ranger Princess Gold embossing powder, Honeybee gems, Poppystamps Double Scallop Oval, Spellbinders Hydrangea Blooms embossing folder

Ebullient Easter

Hi again, and welcome to my stamp room!  It's St. Patrick's Day but I have an Easter card instead.  I cannot get ahead of these holidays.  I even mailed some late birthday cards this month.  The spirit is willing... well, you know.

There are some challenges I wanted to play along with before they close and, let's face it, I'm not a speedy stamper.  You never know when Life will get in the way, so with that in mind I put three challenges together for today's card.  They influenced my choices start to finish.  I'll link them further down with more description, but first...

Still working with the lovely Ebullient stamp set from Penny Black, I colored with Tombow markers and then hand cut.  The frame is a negative leftover from cutting an oval.  After blending inks on the frame I smooshed it with Versamark ink and embossed with sparkly embossing powder.  The sentiment was cut from glitter paper.  That's it in a nutshell.  Now, here are those challenge links:

Triple B, March -- Birds, Blooms, or Butterflies (with inspiration board).  I've used a bird perched on a blooming branch with colors drawn from their inspiration board.
Penny Black Saturday Challenge --  Optional Easter.  The stamp I used is Penny Black's Ebullient.
Can You Handle the Pressure -- Optional Rainbow.  I used a Darice Cherry Blossom folder to emboss the card front.  My blended frame is not exactly a rainbow, but close (if you use your imagination).

 

 

Back to more stamping soon.  Wishing you a happy weekend doing all the things you love.

Stamps:  Penny Black Ebullient  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot press watercolor, other white, green glitter cardstock  Ink:  Versamark, SU blue, pink, green for blended frame  Coloring:  Tombow markers  Other:  Impression Obsession Easter Joy die, Darice Cherry Blossom embossing folder, rhinestones, sparkly embossing powder

Double D Challenge: Easter

 

Hello friends!  Thoughts are turning to Easter at Double D so Darlene has put together a most inspiring board for us.

Several stamps in my collection came to mind when I looked at the board, and then I remembered this ages old Whipper Snapper stamp.  It's unmarked and now the name is forgotten so I just call it Easter Lilies.  No matter.  It reminded me of the yellow tulips on the inspiration board, and the scattered flowers at the base represent the jelly beans.

I pulled a leftover frame from my spare parts and wrapped it in Easter-y plaid, then colored the image to match using Tombow markers.  A few punched flowers and a glittery sentiment add a little something extra.

Put your mad crafting skills to work and play along with us.  The team votes for creative winners, and there's a prize for a random winner:

At the Double D blog you can learn more and see the fabulously creative team samples.  Have a beautiful day!

Stamps:  Whipper Snapper Easter Lilies  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot press watercolor, Neenah Classic Crest Super Smooth Solar White 80#, green glitter cardstock for sentiment, Lawn Fawn Perfectly Plaid designer paper  Ink:  Palette Noir  Coloring:  Tombow markers  Other:  Cottage Cutz Greetings, flower punch, one green gem, Stickles Stardust glitter glue

In the Dark Lavinia Woods

Hello!  I've been away for a few days having a very busy week which wrapped up on Friday with a friend over for lunch and stamping.  We made it a Lavinia day because we're both hooked and we need the practice.  It's a learning process and thank goodness for all the samples I've pinned and videos I've watched.

This card was inspired by Tracey's video titled "Flight Through the Dark Woods".  The title alone is enough to grab me.

I made minor changes, working with what I have and choosing an owl and fox, rather than a fairy.  I hoped to suggest a sense of being on the edge of the woods looking out.  The sun is setting and the sky is darkening.  I've said before how I love a forest.

I keep learning my way around the scene making.  I embossed some of the vining leaves in the foreground and once again the powder stuck in places it didn't belong.  The next day I added more embossing and it went just fine.  I've learned that all those layers of blended ink take longer to dry than I'd imagined, and so I need to give it more time before embossing.  A heat tool helps, but waiting is best.

I would like to share in the following challenges:

The Sisterhood of Crafters:  The Color Green
Colorful Options:  March, Green
NBUS Challenge #48 -- Never before used fox, owl, vine, tree, star sprinkles.

  

Thank you!  Wishing you the best of days always.

Lemons and Blueberries

Hello there!  I'm glad you stopped by to start a new week with me.  Or maybe you're here at the end of the week.  At any rate it's good to see you.

I continue in my effort to empty out my basketsful of not-yet-used everything.  I know, it's never going to happen, but I can try.  Today's makes are with the Pinkfresh Lemons and Blueberries stamp set with matching dies.  It's not brand new and it's been in my basket for a while (hanging my head).  I think the stamps are so pretty!  As you can see I made two cards.

The first has the lemons and blueberries arranged on a favorite old Spellbinders die which I've used only a handful of times.  It's the most gorgeous die with twining vines and a little bit of lattice.  I sponged the edges, then smooshed with Versamark ink and clear embossed.  Layered once for dimension.  I traced and cut a center layer, added a sentiment from the Lemons and Blueberries set, an extra die cut embellishment, and a few gold gems.  Maybe a bit busy but I like it.

The next card is simpler, using the wreath and some mixed and matched sentiments from my stash.  Gold elastic cord for a bow, and more of the gold gems.  I think you can see the texture of the card base.  I embossed both card bases with the SU Subtle 3D embossing folder, but the photo didn't pick it up on the white card.

Well, that was fun!  I used all the stamps (more on the insides) and now the set is tucked away in a drawer.  There is so much to play with in my room, new and old.  I could never run out of crafty joy.

Of course, I'm heading to the party at Darnell's NBUS Challenge #48 where we share our "never before used schtuff".

Thanks for your time!  I hope I'll be back soon but it looks like a busy week.  We'll see how it goes.  Take care!

Stamps:  Pinkfresh Lemons and Blueberries with coordinating dies, Power Poppy Big Scripts (smile sentiment), Hero Arts Moments sentiment  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot press watercolor, Neenah Classic Crest Super Smooth Solar White, SU Almost Amethyst  Ink:  Versamark, SU Old Olive and Lovely Lilac  Coloring:  Tombow markers  Other:  Gold elastic cord, Honey Bee Gems, SU Subtle 3D embossing folder, Spellbinders Decorative Curved Square die set

Double D Challenge: Everything is Coming Up Green

 

It's time for another Double D challenge, friends.  March is the month of green and that's what Diane is asking for in this first challenge of the month.  Check out the inspiration board she put together for us:

When I went to my room to create I was thinking of that darling kitten in the teacup.  Well, you know how inspiration works -- one thing led to another and I ended up with the following card:

It's nothing like the picture, but definitely inspired.  I never would have come up with it otherwise.  The stamping is heat embossed in white, and the dry embossed panel was brushed with white pigment ink, directly from pad to paper.  The ric rac trim is a bit of color, cut from designer paper.  It's interesting to me how much I actually like this funny little thoroughly green card.

The Double D's have a prize for a random winner, and you know the team votes on creative favorites.

Come see what the team got up to with their delightfully green samples.  I hope you can join us at Double D with your own green creation.  Have a happy day!

Stamps:  Inkadinkado Cats, Nellie's Choice Roses Corner  Paper:  SU Green Galore, black, Mintay Lovely Day designer paper  Ink:  Versamark, white pigment ink  Other:  White superfine embossing powder, Sizzix Branches with Leaves #2 embossing folder, Paper Smooches Hello Words, Taylored Expression Ric Rac Borders

Lavinia Bunnies in the Springtime

Hi there!  I've been playing with my Lavinia stamps again.  The deep forests and nighttime scenes are what most passionately attracted me to Lavinia, but I had it in my head that I wanted to make some brown bunnies in a spring scene this time.

In this case I stamped the bunnies first and then built the scene around them.  All inks are Stampin' Up.  The bunnies were inked in Creamy Caramel and stamped about three times using a stamp positioner.  Finally I inked their ears, feet, and tails with a Chocolate Chip marker and stamped one last time.  I made masks for the smooth rolling hills.

I'm so addicted.  Lavinia stamps have cast a spell on me.

The paper I stamped on is a metallic white shimmer cardstock purchased through Amazon.  It has a beautiful sheen for blended backgrounds so I thought it would be nice for Lavinia cards.  It is a lovely sight in person, but not easy to capture the shimmer in a photo without it looking grainy and glaring.  I can recommend it for blending, stenciling and stamping.  You can find it here.

I'm happy to share in the following challenges today:

Sunday Stamps Challenge 303:  Spring Dreaming.  Must use three colors from the graphic below.
NBUS Challenge #47.  Never before used schtuff -- All the foliage stamps are being used for the first time.

 

I appreciate the folks who put so much time and effort into these challenges for the rest of us.

One last thing -- It snowed 3" here last Thursday.  Our 13 and 11 yr old Wally and LuLu played in it like puppies:

A single crocus in the melting snow is a reminder that spring will prevail:

Wishing everyone a beautiful day!

The Lavinia stamps I used are:   LAV482 Whimsical Hares, LAV173 Willow, LAV741 Leaf Spray, LAV729 Woodland Fern, LAV305 Mini Leaf 1

The sentiment stamp is an oldie wood block from my stash.

Ebullient With Love

Hello again!  Today I've come back to my Penny Black Ebullient stamp set.  I recently stamped all four images and they're ready to color and cut out.  This is #2 in the process.  It will be one less stamp set in my NBUS basket.

Coloring was done with my trusty Tombow markers and blender.  The blender is a blank Copic marker filled with a homemade blender solution.  I've linked to it many times, but here it is again:  Homemade blender.  Mostly I like to apply some color with a marker, then dab at the edges with the blender.

The die cut background was pulled from my spare parts -- an experiment from quite some time ago.  It's a combo of older die sets, brushed with ink.  Not perfect, but usable.  

I'm playing along in another favorite challenge today:

Penny Black Saturday Challenge -- Optional hearts and/or flowers

I sure do appreciate your visit today.  It's been fun!  Have yourself a good weekend and we'll get together again next week.  Take care!

Stamps:  Penny Black Ebullient, Penny Black Peaceful Time (for sentiment)  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot press watercolor, Neenah Classic Crest Super Smooth Solar White  Ink:  Palette Noir, SU Summer Sun  Coloring:  Tombow markers with homemade blender solution in empty Copic marker  Other:  Cheery Lynn Dutch Daisy Boutique Stacker A2 Frame, Spellbinders Fancy Framed Tags One for sentiment, other long rectangle die

Meet The Boos

Hi all!  I suddenly felt like making a Halloween card due to inspiration from the Two Old Bats year 'round Halloween challenge.  I know!  This is what happens when I'm stamping on a whim.  I'll have flowers later this week.  It's all good fun!

This card was a quick make with a stamp from the previous century and a paper pad from last year.

With this being the month of hearts and love the Two Old Bats have an inspiration board full of it.  I thought it was clever how they put it together.

Two Old Bats Halloween Challenge

Thanks, Two Old Bats!

That's all folks!  Have a happy day and I'll see you later!

Stamps:  DJ Inkers The Boos  Paper:  Neenah Classic Crest Super Smooth Solar White 110 lb, DCWV Happy Halloween mat stack  Ink:  Memento Teal Zeal, Copics for coloring  Other:  Rhinestones, corner rounder punch for sentiment tag, Tutti Stitched Nesting Hearts, dimensional foam dots

Folk Art Flowers and Bird

Hi!  Checking in today with a card that happened while I was busy doing other things.  I had embossed a panel and set it aside for another day, and the next thing you know I was coloring it.  As I went along I realized how folk artsy it looked in these colors, so I continued along those lines the best I could as I finished the card.

The embossing folder is a 3D by Creative Expressions called Fanciful Flowers.  I used Copics for coloring.  No extra skills needed other than a relatively steady hand and a strong pair of glasses.  I made a point of using hearts because they seem to show up a lot in folk art.  The particular bird die I used is the most folk artsy one I own.  It's years old and I still love it -- Elizabeth Craft Birds.

I embossed the card base and the hearts with the retired SU Subtle embossing folder.  It shows up a lot more in real life.  To avoid excess busyness I did not add color to the branch, but there is a layer of black underneath to help it stand out.  By the way, all the white is actually a gentle vanilla shade, including the embossed sentiment.

One of my favorite challenges is celebrating their first birthday/anniversary this month:

Can You Handle the Pressure?  It's all about using embossing folders.  Anything goes with an optional twist of hearts and, as you can see, I did use the twist.  What fun when it all works out like this!

Now, back to being busy doing other things... but I'll see you again soon.  Take care and have a happy weekend!

Stamps:  Hero Arts Small Greetings  Paper:  Cougar Vanilla, SU Wild Wasabi and Poppy Parade, other black & yellow  Ink:  Versamark, Copics for coloring  Dies:  Elizabeth Craft Birds, Tutti Stitched Nesting Hearts, Poppystamps Sylvan Sprig  Other:  Vanilla embossing powder, Doodlebug Matte Sprinkles, Creative Expressions Fanciful Flowers 3D embossing folder, SU Subtle 3D embossing folder