TCC127 Very Merry

Hi Friends!

Welcome to The Card Concept #127 {Cozy Cabin} Challenge!

I think that this is a fabulous inspiration photo! I love all of the texture from the distressed cabin walls, the blankets as well as those great pillows with the deer/moose images plus the snow and was inspired to create a Clean and Layered/ Mixed Media card!

I am trying to make an effort to create more Christmas cards throughout the year so that I am not so pressured in late November :-)

I am also linking this card to the Retro Rubber #126 “It's Cold Outside!” (the sentiment used for this card is from a retired Stampin’ Up! set, Short & Sweet circa 2007) and the Word Art Wednesday #422-#423 “Anything Goes” Challenge.

The  central silver panel on this card was originally a piece of light grey miscellaneous designer paper (very thin and from my stash) that was embossed with the same knit embossing folder. 

Several layers of Platinum embossing mousse, pearl texture paste and frost white shimmer paint were applied and spritzed with water to create a metallic look.  Once the panel was dry, it was re-embossed with the embossing folder to bring out more of the texture. 

The deer head was die cut four times (three from  white cardstock and one from black).  All were layered together to create a thicker die cut and a clear shimmer pen was used to add glitter to the black layer.

Close-up to show the shimmer on the deer and center panel

Stamp Sets:  Short & Sweet (retired Stampin’ Up!)

Ink/Mediums: Versamark™,  Nuvo™ Platinum Embellishment Mousse, Faber-Castell® Texture Luxe™ Pearl Paste, Wink of Stella™ Clear Glitter Pen

Cardstock/Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, misc. gray designer series paper

Tools/Accessories: Big Shot™, Tim Holtz™ Sizzix™ Texture Fades Holiday Knit Embossing Folder, MFT Dies- Stitched Rectangle STAX A2 Set 1 & 2, Stitched Squares STAX; Savvy Stamps Deer Head Die; Embossing Buddy®, White Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Rhinestones

Thanks again for taking the time to visit!  I hope I have inspired you to create your own card based on our {Cozy Cabin} photo and link up to our gallery at The Card Concept- we would love to see your interpretation!! The challenge is open until Monday, February 3^rd  at noon EST.

Walk in the Wild

Hi Friends!!

I have one final card to share for this morning (I need to get to sleep, lol!).  This card was designed for my hubby’s birthday using the retired Stampin’ Up! set, Walk in the Wild along with a verse from the current Divinity Designs LLC set, Scripture Collection 11.

I also used several patterns of retired Stampin’ Up! designer series paper- Park Lane (Blackberry Bliss floral pattern) and I am not sure of the name of the collection for the darker green layer.

I incorporated the Splitcoaststampers (SCS) SC582 Sketch Challenge for the layout and am also linking to the 

 2 Crafty Critters Crazies January “Anything Goes with a Critter” Challenge and the Addicted to Stamps and More #372 “Make Your Mark” Challenge.

The main focal image and sentiment were stamped with black ink and heat embossed with clear embossing powder, distress oxide inks were used to watercolor the background and water-based markers were used to color the moose image. 

A bit of paper layering with dies, some retired stitched ribbon and a pewter ribbon slide were used to finish off the card.

My hubby and I love wildlife as well as Scripture- he was thrilled with this card! God's creation is amazing and we would love to be able to see a moose in the wild- maybe one day we can travel to Maine or out west :-)

If you have not had a chance to visit the above challenge sites, I hope you will take the time to do so- such wonderful inspiration from all!

Stamp Sets: Walk in the Wild (retired Stampin’ Up!), Scripture Collection 11 (Divinity Designs LLC)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black, Stampin’ Write Markers- Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Old Olive, Lemon Lime Twist, Mossy Meadow; Tim Holtz® Distress Oxide Ink- Broken China, Picked Raspberry, Tumbled Glass

Cardstock/Paper:  Whisper White, Blackberry Bliss; retired Park Lane designer series paper (all Stampin’ Up!)

Accessories: Big Shot™, MFT Dies- Stitched Circle STAX, Stitched Rectangle STAX A2 Set 1 & 2; Sizzix™ Circles Dies, Embossing Buddy®, Clear EP, Heat Tool, 3/8” Blackberry Bliss Stitched Satin Ribbon, Pewter Ribbon Slide

Thanks again for taking the time to stop by- I am planning on sharing a few more cards that I created recently later this weekend. 

Chalkboard Birthday

Hi Friends!!

I am sharing a card this morning that I designed using the Chalkboard- Birthday stamp from Divinity Designs, LLC along with retired Stampin’ Up! Trim the Tree designer series paper stack.  

I have owned this stamp for several years and this is the first time I had a chance to ink up the Chalkboard- Birthday image (love using my stash- the paper was retired a few years ago as well :-))

I incorporated the Splitcoaststampers (SCS) SC758 Sketch Challenge for the layout and am also linking to the Just Add Ink #488 10 Year Anniversary Challenge (what a great milestone!) and the A Place to Start January “Anything Goes” Challenge- optional twist CAS (Clean and Simple) .  This card was very simple for me but I am not sure if it could qualify as a CAS card by all.

The main focal image was stamped with black ink, then heat embossed with clear embossing powder.  I added a bit of layering with designer paper and black cardstock just using a trimmer (versus my favorite dies).  

The card seemed a bit plain to me so I added the black ribbon- hopefully the recipient (my nephew in law) did not feel that it was too feminine (although the gift card that was inside most likely made up for it :-)).

If you have not had a chance to visit the above challenge sites, I hope you will take the time to do so- gorgeous inspiration from all!

Stamp Sets: Chalkboard- Birthday (Divinity Designs LLC)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black

Cardstock/Paper:  Whisper White, Basic Black; designer series paper from the retired Stampin’ Up! Trim the Tree Designer Series Stack

Accessories: Embossing Buddy®, Clear EP, Heat Tool, ½” Black Seam Binding

I am so thrilled that you took the time to stop by! I hope you have a fabulous weekend and you are able to drop in again soon!

I Can Do All Things

Hi Friends!!

I hope all of you are having a great week so far! I had a chance to create several cards this week and am hoping to be able to post each of them soon :-)

I am still working on organizing my craft room as well as setting up an area in my living room (my craft room is not very large and so full of "inventory" that I feel a bit claustrophobic when creating in the room).  Thankfully my hubby likes to have me in the same room that he is usually in (i.e. the living room) so we thought a corner in the living room would be ideal :-)  

I am enjoying being in the living room and having more "breathing" space, but I have to bring quite a bit of "stuff" (as he calls it) out of the craft room.  I seem to be spending more time rearranging, etc. to try to "perfect" the space- hopefully soon, I will have the area the way I need it :-)  

This card was created using several retired Stampin’ Up! sets- Bloomin’ Beautiful and Botanicals along with the current Stamp Simply stamp set, Words of Encouragement.

In an effort to use up some of my stash, I also used some of my retired designer series paper from the retired Stampin’ Up! Scrappin’ Kit Tickets & Tags (circa 2011) and retired SU! Black ¼” grosgrain ribbon.  Some of the treasures I am finding as I organize :-)

I incorporated the Splitcoaststampers(SCS) SC739 Sketch Challenge for the layout as well as the SCS CC764 "Olive Pool Parties and Parades....Don't You" Color Challenge  in the design and am also linking this card to the Word Art Wednesday #422-#423 “Anything Goes” Challenge.

This card was fairly easy with a bit of heat embossing, masking, watercolor as well as a few quick layers.  The script stamp from Botanicals was used in the background of the focal image panel (love that script image :-)).  

If you have not had a chance to visit the above challenge sites, I hope you will take the time to do so- gorgeous inspiration from all!

Stamp Sets: Bloomin’ Beautiful, Botanicals (retired Stampin’ Up!), Words of Encouragement (Stamp Simply)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black, Stampin’ Up! Markers- Pool Party, Poppy Parade, Old Olive; Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen, White Gel Pen

Cardstock/Paper:  Whisper White, Basic Black; designer series paper from the retired Simply Stampin’ Tickets & Tokens Kit; White Tea Lace Doily

Accessories: Big Shot™, MFT Stitched Rectangle STAX A2 Set 1 & 2, Embossing Buddy®, Clear EP, Heat Tool, ¼” Black Grosgrain Ribbon

Thanks again for taking the time to visit- I hope all of you have a wonderful weekend!

TCC126 Time to Celebrate

Hi Friends! 

Happy 2020 and welcome back to The Card Concept #126 {Time to Celebrate} Challenge!

I absolutely love this gorgeous inspiration photo- all of the black, gold, glitter and pearls!  The entire photo inspired me to create a Mixed Media Classy & Elegant easel card for our Anniversary this month- I know, but men can like ribbon and pearls :-).  

I pulled out some of my retired papers and stamps along with a sentiment from a current stamp set, God Verses 2 from Divinity Designs, LLC (formerly Our Daily Bread Designs).  

The clock image was from the retired Stampin’ Up! Sense of Time stamp set and the paper was from the retired SU! Mocha Morning Designer Series.  I still have quite a bit of this paper left in my stash and love the detail of the flocked pages as well as the elegant golds and browns.  

The clock image was initially heat embossed with pewter embossing powder onto white cardstock and once cooled, Nuvo Indian Gold Embellishment Mousse along with distress ink were added to give shine and dimension.  

The same technique was used for the sentiment (but with gold embossing powder versus pewter). 

The retired Script background stamp was used with distress ink to add additional interest to the background of the clock.

I am also linking this card to the Sparkles Monthly #123 “Add Glitter and Sparkle” Challenge along with the SugarPea Designs January “Meant to Be Sent” Challenge* and the Word Art Wednesday #420- #421 “Anything Goes” Challenge.

*As I mentioned, this card will be my Anniversary card for my hubby and will be hand-delivered to him versus mailed (but it will be “sent”).  

Stamp Sets:  Sense of Time, Script background (both retired Stampin’ Up!), God Verses 2 (Divinity Designs LLC)

Ink/Mediums: Versamark™,  Tim Holtz™ Brushed Corduroy Distress Ink, Nuvo™ Indian Gold Embellishment Mousse

Cardstock/Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, retired Mocha Morning Specialty DSP (all Stampin’ Up!)

Tools/Accessories: Big Shot™, Tim Holtz™ Sizzix™ Alterations Clock EF, Embossing Buddy®, Pewter and Gold Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Pearls, 1" Black Satin Ribbon, Gold Trim. MFT Dies- Stitched Circle STAX, Stitched A2 Rectangle Set 1; Sizzix™ Circle Dies

Thanks again for taking the time to visit!  I hope I have inspired you to create your own card based on our {Time to Celebrate}  photo and link up to our gallery at The Card Concept- we would love to see your interpretation!! The challenge is open until Monday, January 20^th at noon EST. 

In All Your Ways Acknowledge Him

Hi Friends!!

I hope all of you had a great weekend!   I had a chance to spend some more time in my craft room today and am sharing an easel card box that was designed for my nephew using some of my retired stash and stamps. 

For the construction of the easel card/drawer box,  I followed the assembly instructions from the YouTube video from Paper Hoarder Disorder and will be using the drawer for a gift card (my nephew is working as a mechanic/service writer).

This project did take a few hours to create but it was fun!  I loved using the various dies, papers and stamps for a one of a kind card/gift. 

The truck and verse images were heat embossed and the rest was mainly layering, dry embossing and assembly. 

I am linking this card to the Word Art Wednesday #420-#421 “Anything Goes” Challenge along with the Splitcoaststampers Ways to Use It WT756  “It Uses Gasoline” Challenge, and The Male Room “A Box of Bag” Challenge.  

If you have not had a chance to visit the above challenge sites, I hope you will take the time to do so- wonderful inspiration from all!

Stamp Sets: Timeless Classic (Impression Obsession), Scripture Medley 1 & 2 (Verve Stamps)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black, Stampin’ Up! Silver Paint Marker; Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen

Cardstock/Paper:  Whisper White, Basic Black, Silver Foil; retired Classic Garage DSP Stack; Medium Weight Black Chipboard

Accessories: Big Shot™, MFT Stitched Rectangle STAX A2 Set 1, La-La Land Crafts Steampunk Border Die, Embossing Buddy, Clear EP, Heat Tool, Sizzix Diamond Embossing Folder, retired SU! Silver Circles Brads

Thanks again for taking the time to visit- I hope all of you have a great week!

Where We Love Is Home

Happy New Year!!

I hope all of you had a Merry Christmas and a great time ringing in 2020!  We had dinner with friends and had a quiet evening watching the ball drop at midnight- our 36th time seeing it together!

Many of you who follow my blog know that my hubby has a rare blood cancer called Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia  (WM or Waldenstroms for short).  It is a type of lymphoma that is not curable but treatable. 

He was diagnosed in the fall of 2014 and he has been going through various forms of chemo, immunotherapy and other treatments for the WM as well as for melanoma and bladder cancer (diagnosed in 2018). 

In June 2019, he had to have his bladder and prostate removed and was in the hospital for thirteen days.  The surgery was successful, he recovered quickly over the summer and is doing so much better now!  We are praising the Lord for his most recent clear pet scan- no indications of tumors at this time in his body :-)

Because he was unable to do any yard work or any heavy lifting this summer/fall,  I had the chance to learn how to use our lawn tractor and mow.   I have many allergies, asthma and severe osteoarthritis, so wearing a mask along with a bug hat were required (trust me, it was a sight, lol!).  We (and the yard) survived and we both feel so blessed!

During this time of surgery, yard work and learning how to be a nurse to my sweet hubby, I did find time to create many cards, but did not have a chance to share all of them on my blog or any other gallery (Splitcoaststampers, Pinterest or Instagram).  I am hoping to share several of these cards in the next few weeks.

In the past on my blog, I have been sharing step by step instructions for the card making process- mainly to help those who are new to card making.  For this year, I am hoping to simplify the blog posts and will be summarizing the steps taken (in an effort to be able to post my cards in a more timely manner).

If you ever have any questions on the steps taken for any of the cards posted this upcoming year, please feel free to comment or contact me for more details.

Tonight I am posting a card that was designed for my niece’s housewarming card. She and her husband bought their very first home and it is so cute!!

I have not had a chance to ink up this stamp set in years (retired Stampin’ Up! set, Quilted Quotes ), actually, I am not sure if I ever inked up this image from the set :-).  

This was a quick, easy card to create- heat emboss the main image, watercolor with markers, dry emboss the background, layer and you are done!!

I am linking this card to the Word Art Wednesday #420-#421 “Anything Goes” Challenge along with the Splitcoaststampers Ways to Use It WT749 “You’ve Been Framed” Challenge, CAS566 “Old New is New New” Challenge and the ABC11N14 “N” is for New Home Challenge. 

If you have not had a chance to visit the challenge sites, I encourage you to do so- fabulous inspiration from all!

Stamp Sets: Quilted Quotes (retired Stampin’ Up!)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black, Stampin’ Up! Markers- Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler, Coastal Cabana, Garden Green, Lemon Lime Twist, Smoky Slate; Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen

Cardstock/Paper:  Whisper White, Basic Black

Tools/Accessories: Big Shot™, Stampin’ Up! Tile Tile 3D Embossing Folder, Embossing Buddy®, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, AquaPainter™

Thanks again for taking the time to stop by- hugs and I hope you have a fabulous weekend!

The Card Concept #HOL19 - Favorite Card and/or Christmas Tree

Hi Friends!

Welcome to The Card Concept #HOL19 {Favorite Card or Christmas Tree}!  

For this challenge, the Design Team is sharing our favorite card that we created this year and/or our Christmas tree.   

I decided to share one of the cards I designed in November using the retired Stampin Up set, French Foliage and a Mixed Media technique involving distress oxide inks, stamping, embossing with clear embossing powder and repeating the same process to build up the layers. 

The colors were inspired by our #123 Inspiration Photo and my DT card for that challenge used a circle from the main panel (you can see the details for that card on this post).  

Original DT card created with the emboss resist panel

My original card for our November #123 {Thanksgiving Table} Challenge (see photo at the left) used a circle portion of the 4 ¼” x 5 ½” panel.  

After the #123 challenge had been posted,  I was able to design a second card using the leftovers from the panel (see my original post for the second card here).   

While I am pleased with the original DT card for the challenge, I think I like the 2nd card better- which do you prefer?

2nd card created with the Mixed Media panel and my favorite for the year!

We hope that you will take the time to share with us at The Card Concept- we would love to see your favorite card that you designed this past year and/or your Christmas tree!  

Hugs to all of you and I hope all of you have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!