Woodland Bear and Polar Bear for Christmas

Hi my crafty friends!  I have two more for Christmas today because 'tis the season to pick up the pace.  I'm not sure how many names are on my list this year as I haven't counted, but it seems the number is dwindling.  I may have to come up with a different use for all my Christmas stamps and dies, and I certainly need to quit buying them.

However, this year I picked up the cute Hero Arts Peeking Winter Bear in a Spellbinders sale.  All the rest of my Christmas NBUS is from last year.  See what I mean?  Too much!

Along with the bear I've used the quite beautiful Simon Says Stamp Mountainside Leaves embossing folder for the first time.  The panel is Cougar Vanilla, brushed with SU Creamy Caramel.  It deserves to be front and center, but the nice thing about embossing folders is that it can be used over and over.

I could not get a photo that shows the sparkly parts adequately, but IRL the card almost appears to be in motion as you walk by it.  The star is glitter paper, the pom pom and the snowline on the ground are Diamond Stickles, and the tree decorations are Candy Cane Stickles -- so much prettier in hand.  The Candy Cane Stickles are a red and gold combo.  So blah in the photo (😞).

Next I made a polar bear with my Penny Black Crystal Frame and Memory Box Bauble Snowflakes.  I probably overuse the Crystal Frame, but it's so pretty!  The "Greetings" on both cards is a Cottage Cutz die.  Lots of glitter touches.  I added a heart to the bear and one to the snowflake.  This card is my favorite of the two.

Total Christmas cards in the box:  31

Sharing here:

Can You Handle the Pressure -- Anything goes using an embossing folder, with a twist of trees.  Sending my first card there.
Sisterhood of Crafters -- Frame it.  Sending my second card there.
NBUS Challenge #90 -- My never before used schtuffs are Hero Arts Peeking Winter Bear and Simon Says Stamp Mountainside Leaves embossing folder.

That's it for today.  There's always something crafty in the works so I hope to be back soon.  In the meantime I'll be stopping by to see what artful goodness you're up to.  I know it's going to be amazing!  Have a lovely day!

Jam Packed with Love for Penny Black Saturday Challenge

Hi everyone!  Popping in today with a reminder there's still time to play along in the Penny Black Saturday Challenge.  It's always anything goes, but our optional theme this month is "use a die".  I do have a die or two in my toybox, so I went that route.

 

I used a die for framing and to cut the sentiment, but the real cuties in this card are those two little mousers who've gotten into the jam jar.  Even though I don't want mice in my jam jar I can't help but find little furry creatures adorable and Penny Black's Homemade stamp set is jam packed with adorableness.  The sentiment in this case is from a Hero Arts set.

I watercolored with Tombow markers.  I added a pink wash around the mice, but when I saw the photo I was disappointed that it didn't show up.  Then I looked at the card again and realized it had all faded away!  What the heck?  Oh well, I left it as is and moved on.

The glossy dots are punched from designer paper, then coated with Diamond Glaze.  You know how I love doing that.  If you look closely you can see a bit of pattern in the larger dots.

That's it for me today.  This was great fun because you know how I love my Penny Black stamps.  It's guaranteed you'll love what my co-designer, Denise, and the PBSC team have created, and I really hope you can play along.  The more Penny Black, the merrier!

Have a happy day!

Stamps:  Penny Black Homemade, Hero Arts Jam Packed sentiment  Paper:  Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb hot press watercolor, other white for card base, Crate Paper Pretty Party designer paper (years old)  Ink:  Ranger Archival Watering Can  Coloring:  Watercolor with Tombow markers  Other:  Die-namics Stitched Rectangle Frames, other rectangle for sentiment, 1/4" & 1/8" hole punches, JudiKins Diamond Glaze, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

This is the Life

Hello there and welcome back!

We're not done with summer yet, but pretty soon we'll be thinking "fall".  In fact, I already am.  Geez, it's so close!

My Sleeping Mouse from Colorado Craft Company is from one of several "card kits" I created directly after Christmas last year.  This kit had the makings for three cards with focal images stamped and ready to color, card bases made up with designer paper, as well as embellishments chosen and tucked into the bag.  They were infinite fun from start to finish.

 

This little guy was colored with Copics, cut with the matching die, and set onto an oldie Poppystamps Woodland Oval.  The designer paper is Brutus Monroe Autumn Tapestries with Freshly Made Sketch #707.  The flower is Cottage Cutz.

All three cards from my made-up kit are pictured below -- Colorado Craft Company This is the Life and Sleeping Mouse.

I think they'd make a cute little gift set tied up with raffia, and I have a friend with a fall birthday who might just love them.

No challenges today, just playing in my room.  Our son is coming this weekend and I have a big, hearty soup to make, so I'll be in the kitchen after a friend and I take our pretty girls for long walk in our hilly neighborhood.  Sophie's sweet friend, Myrtle, is a mini-Australian Shepherd who lives just around the corner.  The two of them make quite a pair!

One more of just Sophie with her new collar from one of the craft booths at our local Blackberry Festival last weekend.  It's only for dress up, not for everyday.

Thank you for joining me.  I wish you a lovely day!

Nice Little Mice

Hi there, and welcome back!

It's been a few days since I posted.  Just busy with life stuff as well as making cards for later.  Today's cards are just for play.

I pulled another not-yet-used item from my use-next basket.  This time it's a stamp set, an older, but new-ish to me Penny Black set called Especially Micey.  I've now used every stamp in the set and I'm feeling good about that!

The first card is simple and clean with the "wish", the leafy vine, and the flower from my oldie stash.  I figured the Aster die could double as a dandelion if I colored it yellow.  The bee was in my spare parts and the designer paper is years old.  I'm trying to use it up, but it just goes on and on.

The second card uses more of that designer paper, along with one of my Stamping Bella Spec-tacular sentiments.  I added a fern die, and some Nuvo drops.

My first card is heading over to Simply Clean & Simple where the theme this month is "Birthday". 

Card #2 is going to the Penny Black Saturday Challenge where the theme is anything goes or "On the Move".  I made the second card for last month's PBSC to use patterned paper, but I was too late so I'll go with the anything goes option this month.

 

Thank you for visiting today.  I'll try not take so long before I pop in here again.  

Stamps:  Penny Black Especially Micey, Fiskars Make a Wish Quotes (1st card), Stamping Bella Spec-tacular sentiment (2nd card)  Paper:  Hammermill Premium 100 lb white (1st), Fabriano Artistico Extra White 140 lb watercolor & SU Poppy Parade (2nd), old Memory Box Brioche designer paper (both cards)  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black & SU Soft Sky (1st), Ranger Archival Jet Black (2nd)  Coloring:  Copics (1st), Tombow markers and blender (2nd)  Dies:  Heartfelt Creations Delicate Asters, Poppystamps Diana Border, Memory Box Buzzing Bumblebees (1st card), Spellbinders Hemstitch Rectangles, MayJoyDIY Ferns (2nd card)  Other:  White acrylic paint (1st), Sugared Almond Nuvo Drops (2nd card)

A Tisket a Tasket A Bunny in a Basket

One more Easter card before the weekend.  I would have liked to do more, but I dallied too long.  Thankfully my bunnies will still be good for next year.  They're the only things I purchased exclusively for Easter, and I'll wager they could make the occasional appearance throughout the year as well.

This card is a mix of Simon Says Stamp and other brands.  The bunny and embossing folder are new to me from SSS.  The flowers are older, but a new-to-me find on Amazon when I was looking for something else not even craft related.  See, that's what happens.  Surely you understand.  They're by Sizzix and I like them a lot.  I thought about draping them across the top of the basket, but then remembered the Easter Eggs.  Now I have both!

About that basket -- I cut it in two shades of gray, but didn't like it for Easter so I smooshed all over with white pigment ink and embossed with some very old Stampin' Up Winter White embossing powder.  Sort of a creamy white.  You can see the powder gave it some texture, too, and now I think it's okay.

As for the embossing folder... well, it's a pretty thing that gives you all those flowers with a space in the middle to use however you like.  It provided just enough non-busy white space to highlight the bunny basket.  Also, you can see it's brushed with color.  I used pink and light orange, but it turned out disappointingly dark... so here comes that white ink pad again.  Smooshed all over and came up with it looking all soft and pretty.

Darnell has started a new month with her 85th NBUS Challenge (never before used schtuff), so I'm linking there with my SSS Fable Cute Bunny and Flower Frame 3D embossing folder, and my Sizzix Woodland Borders (flowers).

Thank you for your visit!  Happy Easter Weekend!

Stamps:  Retired Power Poppy sentiment  Paper:  Hammermill 100 lb premium white, two shades of gray, BasicGrey Sugar Rush designer paper  Ink:  Various Stampin' Up, Memento Tuxedo Black  Coloring:  Ink blending with brushes  Dies:  Simon Says Stamp Country Basket Bouquet (basket only), Fable Cute Bunny, Nested Eggs, Poppystamps Lovely Gift Bow, Sizzix Woodland Borders (flowers), Impression Obsession Grass  Other:  Simon Says Stamp Flower Frame 3D embossing folder, SU Winter White embossing powder (very old)

Easter is Coming

Yes, Easter is coming and I just now mailed my Easter cards.  I made only three this year, but had three left from last year.  I'm lagging behind, but it seems there's so much going on outside my craft room lately.

Today's card is one that made me very happy as I brought all the parts together.  I splurged on a few things from the SSS Beautiful Moments collection and this card represents several of them:  Country Basket Bouquet, Sweet Bunny, Double Loop Bow, Leaf Spin 3D embossing folder.  The tag and sentiment are from my toybox.

I'm delighted with all my new toys but, ohhhh, that Leaf Spin embossing folder... it does speak to my leaf-loving heart!  It made the prettiest background for the basket.  Every bit of color comes from ink blending with brushes.  The card is 4 1/2" x 6".  That little bit extra allows a lot more play.

Linking up with Darnell's NBUS Challenge #85.  Everything except the tag and sentiment is never before used schtuff.

I have little time to linger today as there are many other things that need doing, but I'll be back with one more Easter card shortly.

Enjoy your day, and happy upcoming Easter!

Stamps:  Retired Power Poppy sentiment  Paper:  Hammermill 110 lb premium white, gray scrap  Ink:  various Stampin' Up  Coloring:  Ink blending with brushes  Dies:  Simon Says Stamp Country Basket Bouquet, Sweet Bunny, Double Loop Bow, Poppystamps Stitched Main Street Tags  Other:  Simon Says Stamp Leaf Spin 3D embossing folder, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

Snail Mail and Mouse Nap

Hi there!  A while back I pulled out another of my self-made card kits and started coloring, but then I got distracted by challenges and these cards, though finished and photographed, were not yet posted.  Today is their day.

This kit features Colorado Craft Company stamps by Kris Lauren.  Very cute!  The set I used today is called This is the Life, gifted to me maybe a year ago.  I always question my sanity when I realize how long I've left something waiting in the basket.

The snail, mushroom, grass, ladybug, and sentiment are all separate stamps.  I stamped the snail, masked it, and then stamped the mushroom and all the rest.  There is quite a lot of fanciful detail in the snail shell.  Coloring is with Copics.

Next up is the little mouse.  Again with the masking and adding in other stamps from the set.  The sketch is FMS #707 which I loved a lot for using designer paper.  I made a point of adding some Cottage Cutz flowers to each card as they were also not yet used, though much newer to me than the stamp set.

NBUS Challenge #84 -- My never before used schtuff is the CCC This is the Life stamp set and Cottage Cutz Flowers.

Gosh, this was fun!  You might think I'm making good progress on my NBUS and maybe I am, but there's still so much!  Not the least of it is gifts from my local soul sister who showers me at birthdays and Christmas, and sometimes in between.  We keep on keeping on.  It's a sisterhood.

Thanks for stopping by.  You know I love it when you do!

Stamps:  Colorado Craft Company This is the Life, Paper:  Neenah Classic Crest Super Smooth Solar White, colored cardstock scraps, Brutus Monroe Autumn Tapestries designer paper  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black  Coloring:  Copics  Other:  Cottage Cutz Flowers

Micey Nice

Hello and welcome to Monday!

Big surprise, more never-been-used crafty goodies came out to play today.  At Can You Handle the Pressure the optional theme is sewing or sewing related, and wouldn't you know I just happened to have a brand new-to-me Stitching Sampler embossing folder from SSS, and a nearly vintage but never-been-used Penny Black Especially Micey stamp set.  I think they were just waiting for each other!

As always, the supporting players get used over and over again, and so everything else on the card has been with me for a good long while.

I used Tombow markers and homemade blender solution for coloring.  It looks like watercolor because the blank Copic marker filled with solution is similar to using a water brush.  The recipe and a picture can be found on this post.

Circle punches, designer paper layered on cardstock, and glossy glaze made the buttons.  Much more mail friendly than real buttons.

You know I love my Penny Black critters.  There's a lot more yet to use in this set so it's still in the PB NBUS basket.

Challenges:

Penny Black Saturday Challenge -- Anything goes or Four-legged Friends

Can You Handle the Pressure -- Anything goes with a twist of sewing or sewing related.
NBUS Challenge #84 -- My never before used schtuff is the Penny Black Especially Micey stamp set, and the Simon Says Stamp Stitching Sampler 3D embossing folder.

 

I'm so glad you dropped in.  Have a mice day!

Stamps:  Penny Black Especially Micey  Paper:  Fabriano Extra White 140 lb watercolor, Hammermill 100 lb premium white, pink Bazzill base, designer paper from The Vast Hoard for buttons  Ink:  Ranger Archival Jet Black, Ranger distress Antique Linen  Coloring:  Tombow markers and blender  Other:  Memory Box Cross Stitched Frame Borders, Precious Marieke Flower Border, SSS Stitching Sampler 3D embossing folder, 3/4", 1/2", 1/4" circle punches for faux buttons, Judikins Diamond Glaze, linen thread

Jellyfish Blooms

Hello crafty friends!  I was excited to be stamping and coloring again in the new year... anything other than a Christmas card... so when my friend's birthday came along last month I felt I had just the right never been used stamp for her card.  This is a Creative Expressions stamp, Jellyfish Blooms, from their Designer Boutique collection.  The sentiment is a CZ Designs for Simon Says Stamp -- You 2.  It was a freebie with one of my orders.  Nice!  Lots of variations in the set.

I colored with Copics on Hammermill Premium 100 lb white, and added several spots of Silver Stickles for sparkle.  It's quite the little fantasy piece, but I do love this type of image that mixes flora and fauna.

As for the sentiment, I felt it fit both the image and my friend who has a beautiful spirit and amazing strength considering all she's been through in the last year and a half.  I stamped on SU Bermuda Bay and embossed in white, then hand cut around the "you" and cut the "amaze me" with a random rectangle die from my stash.

It's a 4 1/2" x 6" card with the image panel simply glued to a Bermuda Bay base which I embossed with SU's retired Subtle 3D embossing folder.  The last step was to embellish with some Hero Arts Seashells brushed with Wink of Stella which I tried to capture in the photo below, but it's so much glossier, cleaner, and more shimmery in real life.

My not yet used supplies are bountiful, including a wealth of gifts I was showered with for my birthday and Christmas -- all from the same friend for whom I made this card.  She knows what I like.

Sharing here:

NBUS Challenge #83 -- Never before used schtuff -- Jellyfish Blooms, You 2 sentiment, and Seashells

I'll leave you with a wish for a happy day.  Take good care of yourselves, please.

Stamps:  Creative Expressions Jellyfish Blooms, CZ Designs/Simon Says Stamp You 2  Paper:  Hammermill Premium 100 lb white, Stampin' Up Bermuda Bay  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Versamark  Coloring:  Copics  Other:  Hero Arts Seashells, WOW Bright White super fine embossing powder, Silver Stickles, SU Subtle 3D embossing folder, misc. rectangle die

Celebrate Critter Style

Hello there!  It's another cutie pie Penny Black critter card today, sharing the last of the cards I made with the kit I created for the Time to Celebrate set.  Once I was settled in for Christmas I made three cards one after the other and there were plenty of grins and giggles in the process. The mouse with balloons drifted in from the Birthday Critters set to help the hedgie celebrate.

When I was having fun with this card sketch I found that Spellbinders Hemstitch Rectangles worked out beautifully in the way they fit with each other.  I used an oldie embossing folder for the background, and a flower punch for embellishment.  The "celebrate" die is another Cottage Cutz steal-of-a-deal recent purchase.  In the photo below I think you can see where the glitter is, but you know it's much prettier in real life.

I felt like I could go on and on with this basic card design, but this is the last of them for now.  It's such a great way to use bits of designer paper, and this particular paper is an ages old Memory Box pack I'm trying to use up.  I have so many new and/or not-yet-used pretty papers which I plan to break into, but the oldies must be used as well.

I love that you stopped by today and we'll do this again soon.  Take care!

Stamps:  Penny Black Time to Celebrate (hedgie), Birthday Critters (mouse), Enjoy Builder (stamped sentiment)  Paper:  Neenah Classic Crest Super Smooth Solar White, Memory Box Brioche designer paper  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black  Dies:  Cottage Cutz Celebrate Phrase, Spellbinders Hemstitch Rectangles, extinct leaf die and tag die  Other:  Flower punch, Sizzix Flowers embossing folder, Wink of Stella, Stickles Stardust glitter glue, 1/8" circle punch for flower centers

Let's Party!

Hello, friends!  I know that you know I love my Penny Black critters.  Lately I've been loving the mice as much as the dogs and cats, and the little hedgies are stepping right up there, too.  Today I have another of my self-made card kit creations.

It's the Time to Celebrate set combined with a Cottage Cutz sentiment die, and using the go-to layout I was having fun with at Christmastime.  I changed it up a little with different dies and an embossed background.

There's lots of party time sparkle on the starbursts, punched circles, and party hats.  Coloring is Copics, including sentiment and stars.

Sparkle inside, too, with a Penny Black Birthday Love sentiment.

With all the spots and dots on my card today I'd like to play along in the following challenge:

Sisterhood of Crafters -- Spots & Dots

Well, that was fun!  I made one more card with this set, but I'll save it for later.  I do so appreciate having this craft and my big toy box as a diversion where all is well and happy.  Thanks for being here with me!

Stamps:  Penny Black Time to Celebrate, Birthday Love  Paper:  Neenah Classic Crest Super Smooth Solar White, retired Memory Box Brioche designer paper  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black  Coloring:  Copics  Dies:  Cottage Cutz Fifties Phrases #1 and Nested Wacky Stitched Rectangle Set  Other:  Cuttlebug Seeing Spots embossing folder, 1/8" & 1/4" circle punch, Diamond Stickles