Christmas 2013- Cards for the New Year

Hi Again Stampers!!

I am ashamed to say that I did not create enough Christmas cards in 2012 to mail any at all (only hand delivery) so I am going to be more dedicated in 2013!! 

This card was created for the Splitcoaststampers Christmas Card CCC13 Challenge using the colors from this week’s CQC169 ColourQ Challenge.  I was able to create six cards (I decided that my goal of twenty cards per month will be easier to attain if I create smaller batches of different designs) so I will be sharing Christmas cards every week or so throughout the year to be able to make my goal :-)

  

To create this  “hybrid card”- part digital using traditional elements as well:

Print the skate image using the My Digital Studio (MDS) Winter Memories download (six to a page with black printer ink) along with the MDS sentiment from More Merry Messages (in red printer ink). 

Color the skate image using Stampin’ Write markers in Real Red, Pear Pizzazz and Bermuda Bay (both retired In-Colors).  Use a Watercolor Pencil in Gray to highlight the skate laces, heal and blades.

Use the Big Shot™ to emboss a piece of Basic Gray DSP (I used a retired Hostess Pack) and Pear Pizzazz cardstock with the Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder.  Lightly sand the Basic Gray DSP layer to expose the white core.

Emboss a piece of Whisper White cardstock using the Delicate Designs (Lace)Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder .  Layer the Pear Pizzazz onto the Lace Embossed border and a strip of Whisper White at the top.  Adhere to the embossed Basic Gray layer and mount onto the Whisper White card base. 

Cut the skate images out using the Big Shot™ with Oval Framelits™ and cut a second oval image out of Basic Gray (cut this oval in half and layer behind the skate image).  Adhere the layered oval onto a White Tea Lace Paper Doily and add to the card front.

Add the 5/8” Real Red Satin Ribbon bow along with the sentiment banner to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets:  None- MDS Winter Memories, MDS More Merry Messages

Ink: Printer Ink-Black, Red; Stampin’ Write Markers- Real Red, Pear Pizzazz, Bermuda Bay, Watercolor Pencil- Gray

Paper: Whisper White, Pear Pizzazz, Basic Gray DSP (retired Hostess Level I Pack)

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Lacy Brocade and Delicate Designs (Lace)Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folders,  Oval Framelits™, White Tea Lace Paper Doily, Sanding Block, 1” Square Punch (for banner points), 5/8” Real Red Satin Ribbon (retired)

Thanks again for stopping by- have a wonderful New Year!

True Blue Sympathy for Men of Honor

Hi Stampers!!

This month has been one of joyous occasions as well as one of saying goodbye to loved ones.  I found out that one of my uncles passed away (he lives far away from me and I have not seen him in approx. 15 years or more) plus there were two other funerals I attended within the last week for men who were influential in my life as well as others. 

With the flurry of work and Christmas, I had not had the chance to create special sympathy cards for any of the families who lost loved ones, so this weekend I finally had a chance to spend time in my craft room...

I wanted to create masculine sympathy cards and chose to incorporate the SU- Only SUO61 True Blue Color Challenge into the theme of the cards.  I also wanted to use one of the new sets from the 2013 Spring Mini catalog and  I was not aware at the time of designing these cards that the one gentleman who has passed into the arms of Jesus loved the beach and spent vacations there with his family every year –plus the verse in the sentiment was mentioned as one of his favorites at the funeral.   It is truly amazing how the Lord leads you without you even knowing it at the time :-) 

Panel Close-Up 

To create the basic elements for these cards:

The basic panel design was created by brayering ink onto four pieces of Whisper White cardstock- first Bashful Blue, then Marina Mist and finally Tempting Turquoise.  You do not have to be perfect with this step, in fact, the brayered colors on the cardstock will appear a bit contemporary with some of the hard edges showing but do not despair- you will not notice this once the card is finished :-)

Stamp the images using Midnight Muse Classic Ink and punch out the images with the 1 ¼” Square Punch (use the ¾” Circle Punch to punch out the Nantucket anchor image).  You will not be able to fit the entire images into the punched area, so chose the areas that appeal to you:-)

Card #1

With the Color Spritzer Tool and a Midnight Muse Stampin’ Write marker, spritz the images to add a bit if distressing.  Layer onto squares punched from Midnight Muse cardstock with the 1 3/8” Square Punch.   

Card #1- Distress the edges of the Midnight Muse with the Distressing Tool.  Layer onto Whisper White cardstock and again onto Tempting Turquoise.  Add the sentiment layer at the bottom and knotted Hemp Twine with the circular image in the middle.

Use the Big Shot™ with the Woodgrain Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder to emboss a piece of Whisper White and Midnight Muse cardstock.  Layer onto Tempting Turquoise and adhere the focal image to finish off the card.

Card #2

Card #2- Use the same steps as in Card #1, except use a piece of Whisper White embossed with the Herringbone Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder (this was already embossed in my scraps).  

Layer a piece of Tempting Turquoise behind the sentiment layer (cut with the Big Shot™ and the Labels Collection Framelits™ ).

A few more punched elements behind the Nantucket image adds additional interest.

Card #3

Card #3- Again the same steps but the Woodgrain folder with Whisper White panel is mounted onto Tempting Turquoise and again onto Whisper White- the sentiment is directly stamped on this Whisper White layer.

Once distressed a bit with Sponge Daubers, the Color Spritzer Tool and the Nantucket stamp, layer the entire card onto Midnight Muse cardstock before adding the Whisper White card base.

Card #4

Card #4- I used the fish and coral images only and added the Nantucket stamp onto those panels.

The sentiment banner was created with the 1' Square Punch for the banner points and the Hemp Twine was noted and wrapped around the edges.

 Add the Woodgrain and Square Lattice embossed panels along with the Circle Brad in the center to finish off the card. 

Stamp Sets: By the Tide, Blessings from Heaven

Ink:  Bashful Blue, Marina Mist, Midnight Muse, Tempting Turquoise

Paper: Whisper White,  Midnight Muse, Tempting Turquoise

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Labels Collection Framelits™, Textured Impressions™ Embossing  Folders- Woodgrain, Herringbone, Square Lattice,  1” Square Punch (for  sentiment banner), 1 ¼” and 1 3/8” Square Punch,  Color Spritzer Tool, Sponge Daubers,  Hemp Twine (retired), Circle Brads (retired)

I hope you like these cards- I am not sure which one I like the best.  My husband likes card#1 - if you have the time, let me know which one you prefer (if any :-))  

Thanks again for stopping by and I hope all of you have a great (safe) week celebrating our New Year! 

If you have a chance, stop by again soon - I will be sharing a Christmas card for 2013 in my next post!

Happy Birthday Darling!!

Hi Stampers!!

I wanted to share the birthday card that I created for my wonderful husband using the Splitcoaststampers’ SC416 Sketch Challenge.  

I love him so much and not only is he the best husband in the world, he is also my best friend !!  We have a lot to celebrate this year since our 30th Anniversary is approaching in a little over a week! 

We love to watch birds so I chose one of my favorite stamp sets, Nature Walk and included a few sneak peeks of items in the upcoming Spring Mini catalog and Sale-A-Bration catalog.   

To create this card:

De-static a piece of Whisper White cardstock with the Embossing Buddy®.  Stamp the bird image and sentiment using Versamark™ink, apply Early Espresso Stampin’ Emboss® Embossing Powder and heat with the Heat Tool.

Once cooled, carefully color the bird image  with Watercolor Pencils (take care not to rub off the embossing powder with the point of the pencil) and cut towards the tail.   Use the 2 ½” XL Circle Punch to punch out the bird (fold the tail back a bit to not punch off the tail).

Lightly sponge the edges around the circle with Crumb Cake, Soft Suede and Early Espresso Classic Ink.  Use the Color Spritzer Tool with the Early Espresso Stampin’ Write Marker to add a bit of distressing.

Punch another circle from Early Espresso cardstock to cut in half and layer behind the bird image.

Use the Big Shot™ to emboss a piece of Not Quite Navy Designer Series Stack Paper (DSP)  with the Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder and a piece of Soft Suede DSP with the new Honeycomb Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder (sneak peak- available with the new Spring Mini Catalog).  Lightly sand both embossed panels to expose the white core of the DSP.

Adhere the Not Quite Navy panel to Early Espresso cardstock and the Soft Suede strip.  Add the 5/8” Early Espresso Satin Ribbon to the edges of the Soft Suede layer.

Use the Big Shot™ with the Adorning Accents Edgelits™ to cut the edge of a piece of Cajun Craze DSP and emboss with the matching Adorning Accents Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder.  Cut the edges off to layer behind the main piece on the sides and adhere to the card with Stampin’ Dimensionals®.   A bit difficult to see this layer but it is a bit staggered behind the bird image :-)

Add the bird image, the 5/8” Early Espresso Satin bow and the embossed sentiment (sneak peek at a SAB set) to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets: Nature Walk, Feeling Sentimental (upcoming SAB set)

Ink: Versamark™, Classic Ink- Crumb Cake, Early Espresso, Soft Suede , Stampin’ Write Marker- Early Espresso

Paper: Whisper White, Designer Series Stack Paper – Cajun Craze, Not Quite Navy and Soft Suede

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Adorning Accents Edgelit™, Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folders- Lacy Brocade, Adorning Accents and Honeycomb, Heat Tool, Embossing Buddy®, Stampin’ Emboss® Early Espresso Embossing Powder, Watercolor Pencils,  1” Square Punch (for  sentiment banner), 2 ½” XL Circle Punch,  Color Spritzer Tool, Sponge Daubers, 5/8” Early Espresso Satin Ribbon (retired)

Praying that this card is masculine enough for my hubby - he knows that I love stain ribbon and hopefully the bow will not be too “girly” for him :-) 

Thanks again for stopping by- have a great weekend and I should be able to share a few more cards with you this weekend!

Merry Christmas 2012 !

Merry Christmas!!!

Praying that all of you have a wonderful Christmas with your family and friends!!  Here on the East Coast we were surprised by a brief snowstorm (which caused our candlelight services to be cancelled) but we will have a White Christmas and a very special day with family remembering the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  

I apologize for being absent from posting for a few weeks- I have been preparing for our Awana Christmas party as well as shopping for family :-)  I plan to share a few more last minute Christmas cards later this week so if you have the time, stop back for a visit :-)

This Clean and Simple (CAS) card could not be any simplier- one sentiment stamp, the Embossing Buddy®, the Heat Tool, Silver Embossing Powder and ribbon from my stash. Pop up with a few dimensionals and you are done!!

Quick, simple and very easy to re-create!  

When I chose the colors and technique, I had two challenges in mind- the Splitcoaststamper’sCC406 Color Challenge – Colorless Christmas in memory of Newton, CT and TheFM89 Friday Mashup CAS with Heat Embossing Challenge.   If you have the time to visit these sites, leave them some "love" and better yet, come join in on the fun!

Stamp Sets: More Merry Messages

Ink: Versamark™

Paper: Whisper White

Accessories:  Embossing Buddy®, Heat Tool, Stampin’ Emboss® Silver Embossing Powder, Fancy Ribbon from my stash

Again, quick, simple but a bit difficult to photograph! All of the shimmery silver is difficult to see but it is sparkly in real life! 

Thanks again for stopping by- I hope you like this card and have a great time creating your own bits of art this week!    Merry Christmas!!  

Lacy Snowflakes- Two Challenges in One!

Hi Stampers!

Another week has passed by and I am thankful I could spend time in my craft room!!  I decided to create another Christmas card using this week’s CQC166 ColourQ’s Challenge, and since it is monochromatic, it also qualifies for the HSSCC147 Hand Stamped Sentiments Monochromatic Challenge.  If you have the time to visit the Challenge sites, again, each site provides such inspiration and it is amazing how the themes and colors can be interpreted in so many different ways!  I just love our craft :-)!!

This card utilizes heat embossing- do not be intimidated by your heat gun:-)  The initial steps will allow you to create four separate cards – a great way to maximize your stamping time!

To create this card:

De-static a piece of Midnight Muse, Tempting Turquoise and Pacific Point with the Embossing Buddy®.  Stamp each of the four snowflake images using Versamark™ ink onto each piece of cardstock and heat emboss with White Stampin’ Emboss® Embossing Powder.

Once cooled, punch the images out using the  1 ¼” Square Punch and layer onto Cool Caribbean cardstock.  Use the paper trimmer to trim around the squares and repeat the layering/trimming process again using Midnight Muse cardstock.

Use the Big Shot™ to emboss a piece of Whisper White cardstock with the Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder.  Attach the 3/8” Midnight Muse Stitched Satin Ribbon strip and mount the background panel onto Midnight Muse cardstock.  

Adhere the snowflake squares with SU! Dimensionals™, add the stamped sentiment banner, rhinestones and triple ribbon bow to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets: More Merry Messages, Lace Snowflakes (retired)

Ink: Versamark™, Midnight Muse

Paper: Whisper White, Midnight Muse, Pacific Point, Tempting Turquoise, Cool Caribbean (retired)

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folders, Heat Tool, Embossing Buddy®, Stampin’ Emboss® White Embossing Powder, 1 ¼” Square Punch, 3/8” Midnight Muse Stitched Satin Ribbon, Rhinestones

Thanks again for stopping by- I hope all of you have a blessed week and find some time to relax and create !

Garden Snowmen- Two Challenges in One!

Hi Stampers!        

                                                                                                       

I am still creating Christmas cards and decided to create one for this week’s PP124 Paper Player’s Theme Challengeusing the Splitcoaststampers CC404 Color Challenge (Early Espresso, Marina Mist and Cherry Cobbler).  

If you have not visited either site yet, check out the Design Team Samples and the other entries- such inspiration!

To create this Clean and Simple (CAS) card:

Use Early Espresso Classic Ink to stamp the snowman image onto Whisper White cardstock and color with Stampin’ Write markers.  Use an Aqua Painter to soften the colors and create the watercolor effect.  Cut the image using the Big Shot™ with a Circle Originals™ Die and cut another circle from Cherry Cobbler cardstock (to frame behind the circle die cut).

 Emboss a piece of Early Espresso Core’dinations cardstock using the Big Shot™ with the Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder and lightly sand the cardstock to expose the lighter core. 

Mount the embossed Core’dinations cardstock onto Cherry Cobbler, add the Marina Mist DSP layer to the lower half.  Add the satin ribbon band , mount the focal image with SU! Dimensionals™, add the satin ribbon bow and sentiment banner to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets:  Garden Snowmen,  MDS- Heard from the Heart

 Ink: Early Espresso, Printer Ink- Black, Stampin’ Write markers- Sahara Sand, Soft Suede, Cajun Craze, Riding Hood Red, Soft Suede, Basic Gray, Crumb Cake, Certainly Celery

Paper:  Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso Core’dinations, Marina Mist DSP

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Vintage Wallpaper Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder, Originals™ 3½” Circle Die, Aqua Painter, Sanding Block, 5/8” Satin Ribbon (from my stash)

Thanks again for visiting!!  I hope all of you are having a great week!  

Touch of Nature- Another True Friend "Hybrid" Card

Hi Stampers!!

I am having such a great time experimenting and creating the "hybrid" Digital cards- I hope you do not mind my sharing them with you :-)  One of the newest downloads is a retired set that I just love called "Touch of Nature".  While I have the stamp set, I like the crispness of the printer ink against Whisper White not to mention the convenience (my printer is in my stamp area).

To create this card:

Using My Digital Studio (MDS), print the image for the bird and sentiment onto Whisper White cardstock.

Use the Big Shot™ with the Apothecary Accents Framelits™ Die to cut out the bird and also use the same die to cut a piece of Lucky Limeade cardstock.  Hand cut the Lucky Limeade piece in half lengthwise to mount behind the bird and "frame" the die cut (do not worry- you will not see your "hand cut" line :-)

Color the bird image using a Stampin’ Write Marker in Soft Suede and Crumb Cake (I had Certainly Celery out for a previous project and used that for the leaves).  To add the distressing to the bird image, use the Color Spritzer Tool with the Soft Suede marker  and finish off with a Sponge Dauber using Crumb Cake and Soft Suede Classic Ink to soften the edges of the die cut.

Use the Big Shot™ with the Woodgrain Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder to emboss a piece of Early Espresso Core’dinations cardstock (lightly sand) and the Lacy Brocade EF to emboss a scrap piece of DSP (I used a piece of the retired Everyday Enchantment for the lower half of the card).  Mount both the Early Espresso panel and embossed DSP panel onto Soft Suede (I ended up trimming this layer a bit too close so it is hard to see it in the photo) and add the Whisper White embossed lace paper edging (ink the interior of the embossing folder with Crumb Cake before embossing the Whisper White cardstock).

Add the ½” Pear Pizzazz Seam Binding Ribbon strip, mount the bird focal image along with the Pear Pizzazz Seam Binding Triple Bow and Antique Brads.  Punch the digital sentiment out using the Small Oval Punch and layer with Lucky Limeade cardstock (sponged again with Crumb Cake and Soft Suede) to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets: None- My Digital Studio- Touch of Nature,  Simple Friendship

Ink: Printer Ink- Black, Classic Ink- Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Stampin’ Write Markers- Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Certainly Celery

Paper: Whisper White, Soft Suede, Lucky Limeade, Early Espresso Core’dinations, retired DSP- Everyday Enchantment

Accessories:  Big Shot™,Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folders-Woodgrain, Lacy Brocade, Delicate Designs (Lace), Apothecary Accents  Framelits™ Die, Antique Brads, Sponge Daubers, Color Spritzer Tool, Small Oval Punch (retired), ½” Pear Pizzazz Seam Binding Ribbon, (retired)

Thanks again for visiting- I hope you like these hybrid cards (can you tell that it is Digital)?  My husband cannot tell the difference :-)

Have fun this week experimenting and creating something in paper!! 

Another "Hybrid" Christmas- Touch of Nature for the Dynamic Duos

Hi Stampers!!

I have been busy creating Christmas cards and utilizing the My Digital Studio (MDS) program.  I love the fact that we can re-size images and none of the “stamp sets” retire :-)  plus when you combine it with traditional card making techniques, you can  barely tell that it is digital (I will keep the secret if you do). 

I created this quick and easy card for the Dynamic Duos DD31 Color Challenge- Real Red and Certainly Celery.  I must admit that I have neglected Certainly Celery since we have had so many new green colors to choose from and it was refreshing to pull out this color to use.  The Design Team at the Dynamic Duos have done a marvelous job, and again, if you have not had the time to do so, check them out!!

This card is another Clean and Simple (CAS) card and is so easy to create!    Touch of Nature (MDS version used here) is not normally a Christmas set but I think this color combo feels festive- what do you think?

Print the image from MDS onto Whisper White cardstock (I generally print many images on the same sheet of 8.5 x 11 cardstock leaving room to cut with the Big Shot™ or trim).  Color the stem and flower center using a Stampin’ Write Certainly Celery marker and Real Red Classic Ink with the Aqua Painter.

Use the Big Shot™ with the Apothecary Accents Framelit™ Die to cut out around the image and also cut a piece of Basic Black using the same die (don’t tell anyone but I cut the black layered die piece from one of the black cardstock layers – you will never see it and it helps eliminate some of the weight for mailing).  Cut the black die cut in half lengthwise and position to layer behind the focal image.

Use the Big Shot™ with the Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder to emboss a piece of Certainly Celery cardstock.  Trim this panel to size and mount onto Basic Black and again onto Certainly Celery, Basic Black. 

Add the digital sentiment banner layer, 5/8” Basic Black Satin Ribbon bow and pearl to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets: None- My Digital Studio- Touch of Nature,  Christmas Lodge

Ink: Printer Ink- Black

Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black, Certainly Celery

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Lacy Brocade Impressions™ Embossing Folder, Apothecary Accents  Framelits™ Die, 5/8” Basic Black Satin Ribbon (retired), Pearl

Thanks again for stopping by and if interested, I will be sharing more "hybrid" cards tomorrow eve.   I hope all of you have a marvelous Monday!

True Friend- "Hybrid" Card for Freshly Made Sketches

Hi Stampers! 

I have been busy trying to catch up on creating my Christmas cards and decided to take a quick break from the Christmas cards and create another My Digital Studio (MDS) “hybrid” card.

I love this week’s FMS63 Freshly Made Sketch by Rita and incorporated a previous printed  image from MDS along with the Festival of Prints DSP stack.  If you have not checked out the Freshly Made Sketches' website, I highly recommend it- they have a wonderful Design Team as well as numerous entries each week!!  It never ceases to amaze me on the different interpretations of a sketch or color challenge:-)

To create this CAS (Clean and Simple) card:

Use the Big Shot™ with the Fancy Fan Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder to emboss a piece of the DSP from the Festival of Prints stack.  Layer this onto Whisper White and again onto Lucky Limeade cardstock.

Color the MDS image using Stampin’ Write markers in Marina Mist, Not Quite Navy and Summer Starfruit.  Use the Big Shot™ with the Decorative Accents Framelits™ to cut the image out and alos cut a piece of Not Quite Navy (NQN) to layer behind the image frame (cut the NQN frame in half and adhere as a layer).

Use a Circle Cutting Tool (or Big Shot™ Die)  to cut the 3” and 3 3/8” Circle from the Festival of Prints DSP and Whisper White.  Adhere the DSP to the middle of the Whisper White circle.

Using scraps of Summer Starfruit DSP (from Patio Party DSP) to create the banners.

Layer the elements, add the Decorative brads and sentiment to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets:  None- My Digital Studio- Touch of Nature, Simple Friendship

Cardstock: Whisper White,  Not Quite Navy, Festival of Prints DSP, Patio Party DSP

Ink:  Printer Ink-Black, Stampin’ Write markers- Marina Mist, Not Quite Navy, Summer Starfruit

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Fancy Fan Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder, Decorative Accents Framelits™, Circle Framelits™ (or Circle Cutter), Small Oval Punch (retired), Everyday Enchantment brads (retired)

Quick and easy- that’s why I love using MDS to create cards!  

Thanks again for stopping by- if interested, I will be posting more cards tomorrow eve so stay tuned :-)!!  Hugs to all of you and God Bless!!