Merry Christmas-Watercolor Joy :-)

Hi Again Stampers!

Once I start designing and stamping it is hard for me to stop so I decided to create one more card this evening (well, morning now :-)). 

I wanted to create a card using the Pals PaperArts PPA177 Sketch and chose to use the CC449 Splitcoaststampers ColorChallenge- Old Cobblers Sand  plus this qualifies as one of my Christmas cards for the CCC13 Splitcoaststampers Challenge as well :-)  Both of these sites provide tremendous inspiration- hope you find the time to visit them soon!

To create this card:

Ink the background stamp, En Francais using Sahara Sand Classic Ink and stamp onto a piece of Sahara Sand cardstock.   Trim to size and distress the edges with the Distressing Tool (I used our new tool for this card and it really distresses the cardstock- will need to have a lighter hand next time :-)).  Use the Envelope Punch Board to round the corners at the bottom. 

Stamp the poinsettia and leaf images from Joyful Christmas using Stazon™ Jet Black Ink onto Whisper White cardstock.  Using the AquaPainter™, pick up Cherry Cobbler Classic Ink from the ink pad and apply to the petals and color the leaves with the Stampin’ Write Old Olive Marker.  Once dry, add the Chalk Marker highlights to the petals along the veins.

Carefully cut out the flower and leaves, mount onto the Sahara Sand layer and curl up the leaves and petals a bit.

Layer the Sahara Sand focal image panel onto a distressed piece of Cherry Cobbler (also round the corners with the Envelope Punch Board) and then again, onto another piece of distressed Sahara Sand cardstock (also stamped with the En Francais using Sahara Sand Classic Ink) and finally mount onto the Cherry Cobbler card base.

Stamp the sentiment from More Merry Messages using Cherry Cobbler Classic Ink onto Sahara Sand cardstock, trim to size and use the XL Oval Punch to round off the end near the beginning of the sentiment and the Hexagon Punch to create the banner points.   

Layer the sentiment onto a piece of Cherry Cobbler cardstock and use the punches to mirror the original oval and banner points

.

Add the Pearls to the center of the poinsettia as well as the corner to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets:  Joyful Christmas, More Merry Messages, En Francais

Ink: Stazon™ Jet Black, Cherry Cobbler, Old Olive, Sahara Sand

Paper:  Whisper White, Cherry Cobbler, Sahara Sand

Accessories:  Punches- XL Oval, Hexagon, Distressing Tool, Chalk Marker, Pearls

Thanks again for visiting- have a wonderful Sunday!

Bright Hopes for a Merry Christmas

Hi Stampers! 

I wanted to create another Christmas card design for the CCC13 Splicoaststampers Christmas Card Challenge and decided to use this week’s FMS108 Freshly Made Sketch.   

If you have not visited either site yet, I hope you will take the time to do so- Freshly Made Sketches has a great Design Team with over 80 entries this week and Splitcoaststampers has too many to count :-)!!

This card is a "hybrid" in more ways than one- I have been organizing a bit in my craft room and decided to utilize a few scraps, pre-cut die cuts as well as digital images ….

To create this card:

In My Digital Studio (MDS), open a blank 8.5 x 11 custom page and insert the snowflake stamp image and Merry Christmas sentiment from Bright Hopes (re-size both images).  Print the images using your computer printer and trim to the desired size, create banners for the sentiment either with the 1” Square Punch or by hand and layer onto Basic Black cardstock.  

Use the Big Shot™ with the retired Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder to emboss a piece of Silver Foil Cardstock. Layer onto a piece of Basic Black cardstock and adhere the snowflake image onto the panel.

Cut a snowflake in half (this was a previously cut snowflake from the retired Northern Frost Decorative Strip die) and adhere one half to the underside of the sentiment and the other to the underside of the entire panel.  Attach the sentiment to the panel using Stampin’ Dimensionals (bowing it out a bit for additional dimension).

Adhere a piece of Eastern Elegance Designer Series Paper (DSP) to the Basic Black card base and add the darker panel to the card front (this darker panel is a piece of the retired Mocha Morning DSP mounted onto a piece of Basic Black cardstock- a bit difficult to see the flocked images in the photo but it adds more texture).

Add the side panels (created from scraps of the embossed Silver Foil, Black and Whisper White cardstock) and add the focal panel to the card front as well.

Add the Rhinestone in the center of the snowflake to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets:  Bright Hopes (MDS)

Ink: Printer Ink- Black

Cardstock: Whisper White, Basic Black, Silver Foil, Designer Series Paper- Eastern Elegance and Mocha Morning (retired)

Accessories:  Big Shot™, retired Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder, retired Northern Frost Decorative Strip Die, Rhinestone

 Thanks again for stopping by- stay tuned for more cards including a new SU-Only Challenge tomorrow!

CAS Christmas Card- 10 Minute "Stepped Up" Version

Hi Stampers!

I wanted to share the “stepped up” version of the 5 Minute Clean and Simple (CAS) card from my previous post using Jaydee’s PP167 colors from The Paper Players and the Acrylic Block Technique. 

This version took a few more minutes and would be a 10-15 Minute card - I was able to complete in 10 minutes but I did use a few scraps in my stash for the layers...

Again, if you have not had a chance to stop by and visit The Paper Players yet, I would urge you to do so- they generally have 50+ entries each week and a wonderful Design Team with some of my all time favorite card artists!

To create this card:

Ink the Stampin’ Up! Acrylic Block D using the Pool Party Classic Ink pad and stamp onto Whisper White cardstock.

Ink the Festive Flurry stamp using Midnight Muse Classic Ink and stamp over the Pool Party block.   Trim to size and mount onto a piece of Pool Party cardstock.

Add the piece of Midnight Muse cardstock to the Whisper White layer, stamp the sentiment using Midnight Muse Classic Ink and mount onto the Midnight Muse card base. 

Add the focal image using Stampin’ Dimensionals®, adhere the 3/8” Midnight Muse Stitched Satin triple ribbon bow along with the Rhinestones to finish off the card. 

Stamp Sets:  Festive Flurry, More Merry Messages

Ink: Midnight Muse, Pool Party

Paper: Whisper White, Midnight Muse

Accessories: Rhinestones, 3/8” Midnight Muse Stitched Satin Ribbon

I have yet to use my coordinating Festive Flurry Framelits™ and will be making an even more “stepped up” version using this color combo, so stay tuned...

Thanks again for stopping by- have a terrific Tuesday! 

A Quick 5 Minute Christmas Card!

Hi again Stampers!!

I am still working on my October CCC13 Christmas card designs and wanted to create a CAS five minute card for the CASology #65 Crisp Challenge along with Jaydee’s PP167 Color Challenge at The Paper Players,   I have been waiting to create an Acrylic Block Technique card with the Festive Flurry set and as soon as I saw the PP167 colors, I knew what I wanted to create (love it when that happens:-))

I hope you have a chance to stop by to visit all of the challenge sites- great cards and entries by all! 

To create this quick five minute card:

Ink the Stampin’ Up! Acrylic Block D using the Pool Party Classic Ink pad and stamp onto Whisper White cardstock.

Ink the Festive Flurry stamp using Midnight Muse Classic Ink and stamp over the Pool Party block.

Trim to size, stamp the sentiment using Midnight Muse Classic Ink and mount onto the Midnight Muse card base using Stampin’ Dimensionals®.

Add the Rhinestones to finish off the card. 

Stamp Sets:  Festive Flurry, More Merry Messages

Ink: Midnight Muse, Pool Party

Paper: Whisper White, Midnight Muse

Accessories: Rhinestones

Thanks again for taking the time to visit- off to finish more for my Christmas stash! I hope all of you have a wonderful Sunday!! 

CAS Christmas- 2nd Attempt at a Color and Sketch :-)

Hi Again Stampers!!

I was not completely satisfied with my last post using this week’s Create with Connie and MaryCCMC272 Colors along with the CAS Colours and Sketches #46 Sketch Challenge- I know, OK I admit it, I am a perfectionist who is rarely satisfied with my creations but while I still had all of the supplies out, decided to give it one more try and am more satisfied with this CAS card :-))

This one still did not come easy- not sure but I think I may have a problem...first step is admitting, right?  It seems as though when the colors are challenging and I am trying to create a CAS card (Clean and Simple), my brain freezes up! :-)

I thought that the Masking Tape Technique may look better so used the tape with So Saffron Classic Ink onto Whisper White and stamped the smallest snowflake from Festive Flurry in Bermuda Bay, then Rich Razzleberry, punched them out and even had them mounted onto Rich Razzleberry cardstock but still did not seem right (did set these aside for possible future use)...

Then I thought possibly Vellum...tried one in Bermuda Bay and larger in Rich Razzleberry and as I just layered them to see the effect, they were not dry (duh!) and smeared ... 

Then I decided to stamp the Festive Flurry snowflake with Rich Razzleberry Classic Ink onto Whisper White, trimmed and decided to cut it in half to put the sentiment in the center... did not like that look so I cut into fourths but since I did not cut into fourths from the beginning, the squares were not the same size... so I glued it back together and what now??  Should I start over again or just give up???  

Decided to color with the markers and thought, oh no, can you see the seam??  What about the Woodgrain folder- couldit  hide the seams of my mistake??  

So there you have it- you know all my secrets and the story of my creative process...I think I need help!!!  And if you look too close, you can see the seams!!  Oh well, I have learned from my mistakes and if I create any additionals, I will not cut them apart :-))     

To create this card:

Stamp the Festive Flurry image (second from the largest snowflake) using Rich Razzleberry Classic Ink onto Whisper White and trim to size. 

Mount onto So Saffron cardstock and emboss using the Big Shot™ with the Woodgrain Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder and adhere to Rich Razzleberry cardstock (again, trim to size). 

Using Rich Razzleberry Classic Ink stamp the sentiment from More Merry Messages onto the Bermuda Bay lbackground layer  and add the Designer Series Paper cut on a diagonal per the sketch (I used the other half from the last post- Rich Razzleberry piece from the retired International Bazaar).

Adhere this entire panel to the Rich Razzleberry card base and add the focal image using Stampin’ Dimensionals®- add the Pearl to the center to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets:  Festive Flurry, More Merry Messages

Ink: Rich Razzleberry, Stampin’ Write Markers-  Bermuda Bay, Rich Razzleberry ,So Saffron

Paper: Whisper White, Bermuda Bay, Rich Razzleberry , So Saffron, Designer Series Paper- retired International Bazaar

Accessories: Big Shot™,  Woodgrain Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder, Pearl

This card reminds me of the Lancaster PA region and the Pennsylvania Dutch creations that you sometimes see painted on the barns…need to take another visit to that beautiful part of our country :-)

Thanks again for visiting- have a wonderful, relaxing Sunday and God Bless!

Christmas Greeings- A CAS Sketch and Color Combo

Hi Stampers!!

I wanted to create another Christmas card design for my CCC13 Splitcoaststampers' commitment and decided to try using this week’s Create with Connie and Mary CCMC272 Colors (love the colors but ithey are a bit bright together- definitely a challenge for me :-)) along with the CAS Colours andSketches #46 Sketch Challenge. 

Again, I hope you have the chance to visit each site- great inspiration from both Design Teams and other entrants!

To create this card:

Stamp the tree image from Special Season using Bermuda Bay Classic Ink onto Whisper White and trim to size. 

Using So Saffron  and Rich Razzleberry Stampin’ Write markers, color a few of the bulbs and garland.         

                    

Cut the Designer Series Paper on a diagonal per the sketch and layer onto a piece of Rich Razzleberry cardstock ( (I used a few pieces of retired DSP-  International Bazaar and Summer Smooches)). 

  Layer again onto a piece of Whisper White cardstock and add the Bermuda Bay diagonal strip to hide the seam.  

Use the Big Shot™ with the retired Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder to emboss the entire panel and mount onto the Rich Razzleberry card base.

Stamp the sentiment using Rich Razzleberry Classic Ink onto Whisper White cardstock and trim to size.

Add the tree image and sentiment using Stampin’ Dimensionals®.  Adhere the Rhinestones to finish off the card.

Stamp Sets:  Special Season

Ink: Bermuda Bay, Rich Razzleberry, Stampin’ Write Markers- Rich Razzleberry and So Saffron

Paper: Whisper White, Bermuda Bay, Rich Razzleberry , Designer Series Paper- retired International Bazaar and Summer Smooches

Accessories: Big Shot™, retired Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder, Rhinestones

Not sure if I will create the monthly CCC13 commitment of five to six of this color combo- if you have the time, let me know what you think…too bright or too retro?  Not sure if I am "sold" on it- lol!! 

Thanks again for stopping by- it means so much to me!! Have a great Sunday- God Bless!

Holly, Berry Christmas- A Color and Sketch Challenge

Hi Stampers!

This afternoon I was able to work on another Christmas card design for the CCC13 Challenge and decided to use The Freshly Made FM107 Sketch Challenge along with the PPA175 ColorChallenge at Pals Paper Arts.   I hope you will find the time to stop by and visit each site- again, such great inspiration!

To create this card:

Use the Big Shot™ with the Chalk Talk Framelits™ to cut two of the large tags- one from Whisper White cardstock and the other from Cajun Craze and from Whisper White cardstock one of the narrow rectangular tags.

Stamp the sentiment from the retired set, Contempo Christmas using Cajun Craze onto the narrow rectangular tag and hand cut the banner points (or use a 1 “ Square Punch).

On the larger Whisper White Chalk Talk tag, using Early Espresso Classic Ink, stamp the holly image from the retired set, Ageless Adornments and watercolor using the AquaPainter™ with Always Artichoke and Cajun Craze Classic Ink.  

Use the Stampin’ Write So Saffron marker to fill in the background behind the leaves and add the drop shadow with the Sahara Sand Stampin’ Write marker.

Use the Chalk Marker to add a few highlights and overlay the So Saffon background using Gold Smooch™ Pearlized Accent Ink. 

Layer the Cajun Craze cardstock tag behind the focal image, add the sentiment banner along with the Cajun Craze Candy Dot.

Create the paper bow from Cajun Craze Designer Series Paper (DSP) using the XL Oval Punch.

Use the Big Shot™ with the Pretty Print Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder to emboss a piece of Whisper White cardstock.  Use the Scoring Tool to emboss the edges and mount onto Always Artichoke cardstock.

Mount this layer onto the Cajun Craze card base, add the focal image and Paper Bow using Stampin’ Dimensionals® to finish off the card.  

Stamp Sets:  Ageless Adornments, Contempo Christmas (both retired)

Ink: Early Espresso, Always Artichoke, Cajun Craze, Chalk Marker, Stampin’ Write Markers- So Saffron, Sahara Sand, Gold Smooch™ Pearlized Accent Ink

Paper:  Whisper White, Always Artichoke, Cajun Craze, Cajun Craze DSP

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Chalk Talk Framelits™, Pretty Print Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder, AquaPainter™, Punches- 1” Square, XL Oval, Cajun Craze Candy Dot

Thanks again for visiting- have a terrific Thursday!

An Easy Christmas Quilt

Hi Stampers!

This evening I had a chance to stamp and decided to create a card using this week’s DD74 Dynamic Duos Colors (love this two color challenge site and their Design Team is amazing- hope you can find the time to visit) and another card design for my Christmas cards and the CCC13 Splitcoaststampers Christmas Card Challenge. 

 To create this card:

Using the Embossing Buddy®, de-static a piece of Whisper White cardstock and stamp the Festive Flurry image using Versamark™ ink.  Apply Stampin’ Emboss® White Embossing Powder and heat with the Heat Tool.     

Ink the background stamp En Francais using Cajun Craze Classic Ink and stamp off before stamping over the snowflake.  Gently wipe off the ink from the image using a paper Towel.

With a Sponge Dauber apply Island Indigo Classic Ink over the entire image and again, gently wipe off the ink with a paper towel.

Use the Big Shot™ with the Circles Collection Framelits™ to cut out the embossed image and cut another circle the same size from Cajun Craze cardstock.  Cut the Cajun Craze circle in half horizontally to layer behind the embossed image and adhere to a Tea Lace Paper Doily.

Emboss a small piece of Cajun Craze Designer Series Paper (DSP) using the Big Shot™ with the retired Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder and also emboss a 4 ¼” x 5 ¼” piece of Whisper White cardstock.

Lightly sand the Cajun Craze embossed DSP with the Sanding Block and adhere to a piece of Island Indigo cardstock- mount onto the Whisper White embossed panel on an angle.

Add the Festive Flurry snowflake focal image and add the 5/8” Triple Satin Ribbon bow.  Mount the entire panel onto an Island Indigo card base and add the Pearl to the center to finish off the card.   

I decided to leave the sentiment off the card since I did not want to cover up the snowflake :-)

Stamp Sets: Festive Flurry, En Francais

Ink: Versamark™, Island Indigo, Cajun Craze

Paper/Cardstock:  Whisper White, Island Indigo, Cajun Craze, Designer Series Paper- Cajun Craze

Accessories:  Big Shot™,  retired Lacy Brocade Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder,  Circle Collection Framelits™, Embossing Buddy®, Stampin’ Emboss® White Embossing Powder, Heat Tool,   Sanding Block, Tea Lace Paper Doily, Pearl, Satin Ribbon from my stash

Thanks again for taking the time to stop by- have a wonderful Wednesday!!

Peace on Earth- Wonderful Blessing for the HSSSC169 Sketch

Hi Again Stampers!

I wanted to create one more card this evening using the new single stamp, Wonderful Blessing along with the Hand Stamped Sentiments HSSSC169 Sketch Challenge …I love sketch challenges since they are such a great inspiration :-)   Again, if you have not visited the Hand Stamped Sentiments site yet, I highly recommend that you do so- great Design Team samples and entries as well!

To create this card:

Using the Embossing Buddy®, de-static a piece of Island Indigo cardstock and stamp the Wonderful Blessing image using Versamark™ ink.  Apply Stampin’ Emboss® White Embossing Powder and heat with the Heat Tool.     

Use the Big Shot™ with the Circles Collection Framelits™ to cut out the embossed image and cut another circle the same size from Island Indigo cardstock.  Cut the Island Indigo circle in half horizontally to layer behind the embossed image and adhere to a Tea Lace Paper Doily.

Emboss a piece of Winter Frost DSP using the Big Shot™ with the Pretty Print Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder and a piece of Whisper White cardstock with the Argyle Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folder . 

Mount the Winter Frost DSP layer onto a piece of Island Indigo cardstock and lightly sand with the Sanding Block.  Add the embossed Whisper White layer and a piece of 1/8” Silver Ribbon.

Cut the banners from Winter Frost DSP  (add the banner points using the 1” Square Punch or cut by hand) and adhere to a layer of Island Indigo cardstock.

Mount onto the card per the sketch and add the focal image using Stampin’ Dimensionals®. 

Mount the banner sentiment (retired set, Come to Bethlehem stamped with Island Indigo Classic Ink onto Whisper White and mounted onto Island Indigo cardstock) and add the Rhinestone to the star to finish off the card. 

Stamp Sets: Wonderful Blessing (single stamp), Come to Bethlehem (retired)

Ink: Versamark™, Island Indigo

Paper/Cardstock:  Whisper White, Island Indigo, Winter Frost DSP

Accessories:  Big Shot™, Textured Impressions™ Embossing Folders- Pretty Print, Argyle;  Circle Collection Framelits™, Embossing Buddy®, Stampin’ Emboss® White Embossing Powder, Heat Tool,   Sanding Block, 1” Square Punch, 1/8” Silver Ribbon, Tea Lace Paper Doily, Rhinestone

Thanks again for taking the time to visit- have a wonderful Wednesday!!