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!

#JOSTTT012 Very Merry

Hi Friends!!

I am thrilled to be the December Guest Designer for The Joy of Sets #012 December Tic-Tac-Toe Challenge!!  

One of the “perks” of being chosen as a winner at The Joy of Sets Tic-Tac-Toe Challenge is that you have a chance to be a future Guest Designer.  They chose my Gratitude leaf card as their October winner- what an honor!!

I thought all of the blocks in this month's Tic-Tac-Toe Challenge chart would be great for Christmas and since I am still concentrating on using stamps that I already own (and have not inked in a while), chose to use the far right column down- Reindeer, Ribbon and Plaid so I could ink up my neglected Dasher stamp (retired Stampin' Up!).  

I have not had a change to ink up this image in several years and paired it with a sentiment from Short & Sweet (also retired Stampin’ Up!).

I also incorporated the Splitcoastampers SC377 Sketch Challenge for the layout and will be linking to the Simon Says Wednesday “Traditional Christmas” Challenge  and the 2 Crafty Critter's Crazies #33 December Challenge- "Anything with a Critter" .

If you have not had a chance to do so, I hope you will play along with The Joy of Sets Tic-Tac-Toe Challenge this month- I know that they would love to see your card in their gallery!

To create this card- Stamp the Dasher reindeer with Versafine™ Onyx Black Ink onto white cardstock,  apply clear embossing powder and heat with a heat tool.  Die cut the image using a stitched oval die, mount onto another die cut with black cardstock (I split the black die in half and layered behind the main image).

Tear a piece of sticky note paper to create a few snow drifts in the background, use a water brush with a water-based marker to apply a bit of gray along the torn edges.  Once dry, use a clear glitter pen to add shimmer along the edges.

Emboss a piece of white cardstock with the Tin Tile 3 D embossing folder, cut into strips for the vertical background strips and mount onto black cardstock, trim close to the edge.

Die cut a piece of white cardstock with a stitched rectangle die, mount onto black cardstock, trim close to the edge.  Mount the vertical strips onto the background per the sketch.

Die cut a piece of plaid designer paper with a stitched rectangle die, mount onto black cardstock, trim close to the edge and mount onto the card front.

Wrap a piece of 1” black satin ribbon over the card panel, adhering the ends behind the panel.  Mount the entire panel onto the white card base.

Add the reindeer oval to the card front with dimensional foam or chipboard.

Heat emboss the sentiment as described above for the reindeer image, die cut with a stitched rectangle die, mount onto black cardstock, trim close to the edge.

Mount onto the card front and add a few rhinestones to the sentiment and reindeer antlers to finish off the card.

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

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black, Stampin’ Write Smoky Slate Marker, Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen

Cardstock/Paper:  Whisper White, Basic Black, retired Trim the Tree Designer Series Stack (Stampin’ Up!)

Accessories: Big Shot™, My Favorite Things Stitched Rectangle A2 STAX Set 1 & Set 2, Stampin’ Up! Tin Tile 3-D Embossing Folder,  Embossing Buddy®, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, AquaPainter™. 1” Black Satin Ribbon, Rhinestones

Thanks again for taking the time to stop by- I hope all of you have a wonderful weekend/week! 

Ornate Christmas Tree- One Layer

Hi Friends!!

Today I am sharing a card designed with the retired Stampin’ Up! set that I will have to look up the name (it has a tree image, mittens and a few others and my apologies, I left the actual stamp set at our weekend home and only brought the tree image to ink up- duh!!).   

I wanted to participate with the Less Is More “Pick A Triangle” Challenge - I decided to pick the lower triangle area for this card .

I have to admit CAS (Clean and Simple) cards are difficult for me.  I tend to want to add layers and embellishments, but I do like to stretch myself and get out of my normal "box" at times.  I am thankful that there are challenges specifically focused on CAS cards and Less is More is one of my favorites (although I do not get to play along as often as I would like :-)).



I am also entering this card in the Just Add Ink #485 "Just One Layer" Challenge and the Simon Says Monday "Let's Sparkle" Challenge (hard to see in the photo but the gold embossing dies sparkle).

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

This card was so quick and easy to create, but I know some of you are new to cardmaking so here are the steps to take:

1). Fold a piece of white cardstock in half for the card base (this card base is 4 1/4" x 11" to result in an A2 card 4 1/4" x 5 1/2").

2). De-static the front of the card with an embossing powder tool, ink the tree image with Versamark ink, stamp onto the panel, apply gold embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.

3). Add the small pearl to finish off the card.

Quick and easy, plus no extra postage to mail!!

Thanks for stopping by- I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Snowman Wishes

Hi Friends!!

Today I am sharing a card designed with the retired Stampin’ Up! Garden Snowmen and paired with a sentiment from Beautiful You (a current Stampin’ Up! set).  

I have always loved the fun snowman images in this set and have not inked them in a while.   I will be sharing another card later with the second snowman image in this set :-)

I used the Splitcoaststampers SC372 Sketch Challenge (this sketch is from 2012) for the layout and am also linking to The Paper Players #470  Laurie's “Frosty the Snowman” Challenge and the Time Out #150 “Merry and Cheerful” Challenge.

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

To create this card- Ink the snowman image with Versafine™ Onyx Black Ink and stamp onto white cardstock, apply clear embossing powder and heat with a heat tool.

Once the embossing has cooled, watercolor the image with water-based markers and distress oxide ink.  Die cut the panel with a stitched square die, mount onto white cardstock and trim close to the edge.

Heat emboss the sentiment using the same steps above, die cut with a stitched circle die and mount onto a circle of white cardstock.  Adhere the circle to the main focal image creating the half moon shape for the sketch.

Emboss a piece of white cardstock with a snowflake embossing folder, trim and mount onto the white card base.

Add the layered focal image/sentiment onto the card front using dimensional foam or chipboard (I have been using chipboard) lately.

Use a clear glitter pen to add shimmer to all of the snow, snow balls and snowmen to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets: Garden Snowmen (retired Stampin’ Up!), Beautiful You (current Stampin’ Up!)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black, Arteza™ Water-based Markers- various reds, purple, greens, blues, browns; Tim Holtz® (TH) Tumbled Glass Distress Oxide, Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen

Cardstock/Paper:  Whisper White, Extra Thick Whisper White

Accessories: Big Shot™, My Favorite Things Dies- Stitched Square and Circle STAX; Sizzix Circle Dies (retired SU!), Embossing Buddy®, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, AquaPainter™,  Darice™ Snowflake Embossing Folder

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

TCC125 A Merry Christmas

Hi Friends!

Welcome to the #125 {Home for the Holidays} Challenge at The Card Concept! 

I was inspired by the buffalo plaid along with the colors to create a Classy and Elegant/Mixed Media card!

Since I am still trying to limit my spending and use the stamps that I already own, I paired the retired Bells and Boughs stamp set along with retired designer paper (all Stampin’ Up!).

I also incorporated the Splitcoaststampers SC423 Sketch Challenge for the layout (FYI-their sketch challenges never expire and this one is from Feb 2013).  I mentioned in a previous post, that I have made it a personal goal to try eventually to do all their sketches (they have over 770+ right now and I have completed possibly a third so far, lol)! 

I am also linking to the Retro Rubber Challenge Blog #125 Merry Christmas challenge (this stamp set is from 2010) along with the Simon Says Wednesday "Traditional Christmas" Challenge. the Double Trouble #44 “Wrap It Up (Thing #1- use a patterned holiday paper, Thing #2- add ribbon and/or bows)  and share with the Artystamper Digitals #5 “Winter Holidays”  Challenge .

If you have not had a chance to visit us at The Card Concept or the other challenge sites yet, I hope you will find time to do so- wonderful inspiration from all!

To create this card:

Stamp the poinsettia image onto white cardstock with an alcohol friendly ink (I used Memento Tuxedo Black), color with alcohol markers until you are satisfied.  

Use colored pencils as needed to add additional shadows, etc. and fussy cut the image.

Die cut the two different musical designer series paper panels along with a piece of white cardstock (for the panel under the poinsettia) and the green designer paper (for the horizontal strip under the checked ribbon) with various stitched rectangle dies. 

Once die-cut, emboss the green strip with a music embossing folder and mount all onto black cardstock (trimming close to the edge).

De-static a piece of white cardstock with an embossing powder tool, ink the sentiment with Versafine™  Onyx Black ink, apply clear embossing powder and heat set with a heat tool.  Die cut with a stitched oval die and mount onto another stitched oval die cut from black cardstock (I used the same size oval and split the die in half so that just a bit of the edge shows around the sentiment).

Layer the musical patterns per the sketch, add the green horizontal strip along with the strip of 1” Black and White checked ribbon (wrapping the ends of the ribbon behind the panel).

Mount the entire panel onto a white card base.

Add the die-cut white rectangle onto the card front with dimensional foam (or, I prefer using chipboard), adhere the sentiment and add the poinsettias (again, using chipboard or dimensional foam).

Add the bow to the corner along with a few pearls around the sentiment and upper right/ lower left-hand corners.

Use a clear glitter pen to add shimmer to the flower petals and an extra fine white paint pen to add highlights to the flower centers.

Close up to try to show the shimmer on the petals :-)

This card took a while to create but I did have the poinsettia image in my stash already colored and fussy cut, so that saved me quite a bit of time :-)!

Stamp Sets:  Bells & Boughs  (retired Stampin’ Up!)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black, Memento™ Tuxedo Black, Spectrum Noir™ Markers- various reds, greens, yellow (sorry I did not write down the codes), Spectrum Noir™ Clear Glitter Pen, Sharpie® Extra Fine White Paint Pen

Cardstock/Paper: Whisper White, Basic Black: retired Merry Music designer series paper and Certainly Celery Hostess Level I Pack (all Stampin’ Up!)

Tools/Accessories: Big Shot™, Sixxiz™ Music Embossing Folder, Dies- My Favorite Things™ Stitched Rectangle A2 STAX Set 1 & Set 2,  Stitched Ovals STAX; Embossing Buddy®, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, 1” Black and White Checked Ribbon, Pearls

Thanks again for taking the time to stop !by  I hope I have inspired you to create your own card based on our {Home for the Holidays}  photo and link up to our gallery at The Card Concept- we would love to see your interpretation!! The challenge is open until Monday, December 16^th at noon, EST.

The Wilderness Awaits

Hi Friends!!

I am having so much fun using some of my neglected stamps!  When I pull out a stamp set that I have not inked up in a while, I have decided to ink several of the images so I can create more than one card from the set.

This weekend, I am sharing one of the cards that I designed with the retired Stampin’ Up! The Wilderness Awaits stamp set.  I love the naturalistic images in this set and especially this elk image.

I am also going back and trying to create a card for each of the Splitcoaststampers Sketch Challenges (currently in #777 and I have only used 1/3 of the sketches so far).  Yes, this is a lofty goal, I know. 

With that in mind, I incorporated the Splitcoastampers (SCS) SC121 Sketch for the layout of this card (the SCS Sketches do not expire and this sketch is from March 2011). 

I am also linking to The Male Room #125 “Inspired by Ugly Sweaters” Challenge and the Simon SaysWednesday “Anything Goes” Challenge.

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

To create this card- Ink the elk image from The Wilderness Awaits with Versafine™ Onyx Black Ink and stamp onto white cardstock, apply clear embossing powder and heat with a heat tool.

Once the embossing has cooled, watercolor the image with water-based markers, distress ink and distress oxide ink.  Die cut the panel with a stitched rectangle die, mount onto chocolate chip cardstock and trim close to the edge.

Die cut a piece of designer paper with a larger rectangle stitched die, mount onto chocolate cardstock, trim close to the edge. 

Die cut another piece of designer paper with a larger stitched rectangle die, mount onto a piece of chocolate cardstock, trim close to the edge and mount onto a white card base.

Adhere the medium rectangle layer (per the sketch) and add the stamped focal image rectangle with dimensional foam (or chipboard).

Heat emboss the sentiment onto white cardstock (as in the first step for the elk image), die cut with a smaller stitched rectangle die, mount onto chocolate cardstock and trim close to the edge.

Trim a piece of chocolate cardstock and create the banner ends by hand.  Split the trimmed piece and mount onto the back of the sentiment layer. 

Add the two brass brads to the edges and mount onto the card front.

Using scraps of chocolate cardstock, hand trim to create a photo corner and add a brass brad to the center.  

Mount onto the upper left-hand corner to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets: The Wilderness Awaits (retired Stampin’ Up!)

Ink/Mediums: Versafine™ Onyx Black, Stampin’ Write Markers- Soft Suede, Smoky Slate, Gray Granite; Tim Holtz® (TH) Tumbled Glass Distress Oxide, TH Distress- Gathered Twigs, Ground Espresso, Tea Dye

Cardstock/Paper:  Whisper White, Chocolate Chip, retired Cozy Comfort and Sweater Weather Designer Series Paper (all Stampin’ Up!)

Accessories: Big Shot™, My Favorite Things Dies- Stitched Rectangle A2 STAX Set 1 & Set 2, Blueprints 20; Embossing Buddy®, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, AquaPainter™,  Mini Brass Brads

Thanks again for taking the time to stop by- I hope all of you have a blessed weekend/week!