Blue Car Christmas

I really enjoyed making this masculine Christmas card which I designed for my daughter's boyfriend who just recently purchased a new car, blue in color.

Starting with white card base, I layered it with blue mirror paper, followed by a layer of silver embossed card stock. I added one more layer in white on which I created my focal point....the blue car (which was die cut).

I stamped some ornaments in blue and snow flakes in silver. I came up with what I thought was an appropriate "sentiment" for the theme and had it computer generated. On the inside of the card I added that ..."too bad, you already bought yourself one so maybe this will help to accessorize it" and then attached it to his gift.

I was so pleased that he liked his card and loved his gift!

Daughter Christmas

Hello everyone!  I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas with your family and friends and that Santa was good to you. I haven't posted any of my work for a while because I was busy making my personal Christmas cards and getting the house decorated and doing everything else that comes with my favorite holiday. And this Christmas turned out to be one of the best...nice cozy atmosphere, good food, great gifts and best of all...great company.

I couldn't post all the Christmas cards I made (each one was different) but I did showcase some of them in my last post. But I did want to post this card I made for my daughter which I gave to her on Christmas day.

The photo doesn't do it justice. I used white card stock for the card base and layered it with denim blue card stock which I had embossed with Spellbinders Adorning Squares dies. The words Merry Christmas and Daughter were created with Cheery Lynn individual script dies. And the snowflake burst in the lower right corner was cut with a Memory Box Snowflake Corner die.

The poinsettia was created with a Just Rite Festive Poinsettia stamp, which, by the way, is an absolutely stunning stamp. Various size poinsettia leaves were stamped on vellum, embossed with white EP and then cut out with Spellbinders Layered Poinsettia dies. Finally the cut leaves (petals) were layered to create the flower and a white pearl was added to the center.

My daughter loved her card, especially the poinsettia flower. I hope you like it as well.

Christmas Elegance in Gold

Using gold in card making is ever so elegant, especially at Christmas time when creating cards for friends and family. Here is the card I made with that thought in mind.

For my base I used gold card stock and created a 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 base card. In the next step I cut a 5x5 inch panel in white. Using one of the Spellbinder Heirloom Ornament 2011 dies I cut out the die shape in the middle of that panel. This panel was then embossed with a Nellie Snellen Christmas Round-1 embossing folder.

I prepared another white panel, just slightly smaller than the embossed one and adhered it to the base card. Next, I die cut an ornament using the Memory Box Snowflake Ornament die and embossed it in gold. The bow was cut with a die from Memory Box Crisp Bows and also embossed in gold. I cut off the bottom part of the bow. The gold embossed ornament was adhered to the white panel. The embossed panel was popped onto the white panel, the gold ornament showing through the cut out, and the bow adhered at the top.

For the sentiment, I stamped it in Versamark using GKD's Sentimental Holiday stamp set and embossed it in gold. Then it was cut with one of the dies from Spellbinders Grommet Tags. To give the card a finished look, I cut some pine sprigs with Impressions Obsession Pine Sprigs Cluster dies, embossed them in gold and attached them to the sentiment tag.

I hope you enjoyed this post and are well on your way to creating your Christmas cards. It won't be long before the snow flies!


This card was entered into the following challenge(s):
2 Sisters Challenge Blog  -  Challenge #165 - Anything Goes
Word Art Wednesday  -  Challenge #101 - Anything Goes
Sister Act  -  Challenge #28 - Anything Goes

613 Avenue Create  -  Challenge #41 - Anything Goes

Silver Christmas

In making this card, I decided to use some not-so-traditional colors. I chose denim blue, silver and white. I started out with a base card in denim blue. Next, I embossed a silver layer with a Sizzix Peace Poinsettia folder and adhered it to my base card.

For the focal point of my card I started with a white scalloped oval cut from Marianne Creatables Anja's Large Ovals die. Next, I cut a lattice scalloped oval in blue denim using another of the dies from the same set. My sentiment (Stampabilities) was stamped in Versamark and embossed with silver EP. The completed panel was then popped onto the base with dimensionals.

The poinsettia was made by stamping an HFC Christmas Poinsettia background stamp on vellum, embossing the flowers with silver EP and then cutting them out with an HFC Sun Kissed Fleur die. The cut poinsettia petals were layered and then adhered to the card.

And this completed my project. Until next time, make it a creative day!

This card was entered into the following challenge(s):

613 Avenue Create  - Challenge #40 - Anything Goes

Sister Act  - Challenge #28 - Anything Goes

TTCRD  -  Oct 8 Challenge - Anything Goes

Word Art Wednesday  -  Challenge #101 - Anything Goes
Oozak  -  Challenge #23 - Anything Goes

Believe

  

Hello! Seventy five days to go before Christmas gets here. Although I enjoy the "spookiness" of Halloween and the "feasting" on Thanksgiving, Christmas is by far my most favorite holiday. I love to dress up the inside of my home with a  beautifully lit tree, Christmas villages, candles, pine branches, etc. I don't dress up the outside except for a lit wreath on my door. And on a snowy night, when all the homes are lit up, it is absolutely gorgeous!

Here I am talking about snow when we've had some beautiful weather and there's more to come. But I've zoomed in on Christmas and finding it easier and easier to make my Christmas cards.

Here is one of the cards I made today. It starts out with a white base. On another piece of white card stock layer I created an embossed frame with Spellbinders 5x7 Matting Basics A die. On the bottom edge of this layer I stamped my sentiment (from HFC Holly Berry stamp set) in black ink and embossed it with clear EP. This layer was then matted with red and adhered to the base. 

For my wreath I first created a base (a ring) to which to attach the pine sprigs. The base was made with green card stock using two Spellbinders Standard Circle dies, one inside the other to create a ring. Next I cut many pine branches in the same green card stock using Poppy Stamps Pine Sprigs dies. Then, one by one, I adhered the pine branches around the circle to create the wreath.

I cut a circular frame from Marianne Craftables Tiny Hearts die in white card stock. Next, I cut a lattice oval using a die from Marianne Creatables Anja's Vintage Frame and adhered this to the back of the circular frame. The wreath was then adhered to the completed frame and popped on to the card with dimensionals. For the final touch I added red Stickles to imitate berries and a tiny red bow.

Hope you enjoyed this post! Thanks for stopping by.

This card was entered into the following challenge(s):

Word Art Wednesday  -   Challenge #101 - Anything Goes
613 Avenue Create  -   Challenge #40 - Anything Goes
TTCRD  -  Oct 8 - Anything Goes
Sister Act  -  Challenge #28 - Anything Goes
Oozak  - Challenge #23 - Anything Goes
ABC Challenge  - Oct 1-14th  - W for Words

Glowing Candles

Hello, my crafting friends! This card is 5x5 inches. The base was created by die cutting 2 separate layers with the largest die from Marianne Creatables Anja's Squares. One of the layers was then scored about 1/2 inch from one edge and then adhered to the edge of the other layer. The card would then open by lifting up the top layer. 

Next, I cut a panel in red using the second die from the same Marianne Creatables die set and adhered it to the base card. Then, using Spellbinders Adorning Squares, a white panel was cut which would contain the focal point.

The candles, from Memory Box Glowing Candles die, were cut three times: once in red, once in gold and a third time in green. These were then paper pieced to get the above look and popped on. The sentiment is from GKD's The Magic of Christmas stamp set and was stamped in Versamark and embossed with red EP.

Paper piecing the glowing candles was a lot of work but well worth the effort in the long run. Here is a video tutorial by Pam Sparks on how it was done: Glowing Candles. Hope you get a chance to check it out.


This card was entered into the following challenge(s):
613 Avenue Create  -  Challenge #40 - Anything Goes
Word Art Wednesday  -  Challenge #101 - Anything Goes
Sister Act  - Challenge #28 - Anything Goes
Oozak  -  Challenge #23 - Anything Goes

Happy Holidays Village

Hello everyone! We are having some beautiful fall weather here in my neighborhood and it's not easy trying to think "winter" in the midst of all this warmth. 

But here's another Christmas card I made and just looking at it makes me feel cold. I decided on a green card base. Next I die cut a white layer with a Spellbinders Detailed Scalloped die. I cut out the  center with Spellbinders 5x7  Matting Basics A die which left me with an open frame. Then I embossed another white layer with Marianne Designables Anja's Flower EF and framed it with the scalloped layer. 

For my focal point, I die cut an oval with Marianne Creatables Small Ovals by Petra, added glitter and popped it onto the framed panel with dimensionals. Next I stamped Poppy Stamps Holiday Village in Versamark on white card stock and then embossed it with gold EP. After this I colored the trees and houses with Copic markers, cut out the image with the co-ordianting Poppy Stamps Holiday Village die and popped in onto the glittered oval. 

The sentiment was computer generated, cut out with Spellbinders Ribbon Banners and sponged while still in the die. As the final step, the sentiment banner was adhered to the oval. 

Although it's not entirely visible, the glitter really makes this card sparkle like glistening snow. And we'll be seeing Mother Nature's real life winter beauty in just a few short months.


This card was entered into the following challenge(s):
Word Art Wednesday  - Challenge #100 - Anything Goes
Crafty Catz  -  Challenge #201 - Anything Goes
Speedy Fox & Friends  -  Challenge #180 - Winter Scene

Marianne Designs Divas  -  Anything Goes

White Christmas

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas......and it's only the early part of October! In my opinion, there's nothing like Christmas Day covered with a white blanket of snow.

 

I wanted to make a white on white card and this is what I came up with. My base card measures 5 1/4 x 5 1/4". I embossed a slightly smaller layer with a Nellie Snellen Christmas Square-1 embossing folder and adhered it to the base. The tree was cut with Marianne Creatables Christmas Tree die, glitter added and popped onto the embossed layer with dimensionals. The little poinsettias, which I just love, were cut in red with Poppy Stamps Small Blooming Poinsettia die. A dot of Stickles was added to the centers and then the flowers were adhered to the tree. The sentiment was computer generated and then cut with a Spellbinders Ribbon Banners die and popped on.

I really love this card and I hope you like it too. Until next time, make it a wonderful day!

 

This card was entered into the following challenge(s):

Sister Act  -  Challenge #27 - Anything Goes

613 Avenue Create  -  Challenge #39 - Anything Goes

Word Art Wednesday  - Challenge #100 - Anything Goes

The Outlawz  -  GCC 0930 - Anything Goes

Crafty Catz   -  Challenge #201 - Anything Goes

2 Sisters Challenge Blog  -  Challenge #163 - Anything Goes

Christmas Blessings

I just love the traditional Christmas colors: red, green and white. I find them to be so festive and cheerful....and oh so Christmassy!

So here is another Christmas card I made using the traditional colors. I started with a 5x5" base card in white. I added a red layer. Next, I embossed a white layer with a Darice Stripe Background EF and adhered it to the red layer. I cut a panel from red card stock using one of the dies from Spellbinders Marvelous Squares and stamped the sentiment (PTI Signature Christmas) in Versamark and then embossed it with gold EP. This was then adhered to the white layer.

The poinsettia flowers (HFC Christmas Poinsettia) were stamped on red card stock with Versamark, embossed in gold and then cut with HFC Sun Kissed Fleur die. I layered the different size flowers to create the completed poinsettia and adhered it to the lower left corner of the red panel. Finally, I cut some pine sprigs in green card stock with Poppy Stamps Pine Sprigs dies and adhered them to the poinsettia.

As much as I love the traditional colors of Christmas, I plan to make other cards using other colors. But time and time again, I come back to the reds and greens.

Hope you enjoyed this post and will create today!

This card was entered into the following challenge(s):

TTCRD - Oct 1-7 Challenge - Anything Goes

Word Art Wednesday - Challenge #100 - Anything Goes

Sister Act  -  Challenge #26  -  Anything Goes

613 Avenue Create  -  Challenge #39 - Anything Goes

The Outlawz - GCC 0930 - Anything Goes

2 Sisters Challenge Blog  - Challenge #163 - Anything Goes

Poinsettia on Mexican Tile Pattern

This card was inspired by one I saw on the Internet. I wasn't sure how it would turn out but I was very pleased with the end result. 

This is a 5x5" square card with a white card base. The red square patterned frame was created with a Cheery Lynn Mexican Tile Pattern die and adhered to the base. I added a white square panel in the center and stamped the sentiment (from GKD's The Magic of Christmas) on all four edges in Versamark and then embossed each with red EP.

For the poinsettia, I stamped a HFC Christmas Poinsettia background stamp on red card stock, embossed it with gold EP and used the HFC Sun Kissed Fleur die to cut out the individual flowers. After shaping each petal and layering and adhering the individual flowers one on top of the other, I adhered the finished poinsettia to the center. The leaves were punched with a MS leaf punch.

Hope you liked it and will be inspired to create your holiday cards. Remember.....there are only 84 days left til Christmas!

This card was entered into the following challenge(s):

TTCRD - Oct 1-7 Challenge - Anything Goes

Word Art Wednesday - Challenge #99 - Anything Goes

Sister Act  -  Challenge #26  -  Anything Goes

613 Avenue Create  -  Challenge #39 - Anything Goes

The Outlawz - GCC 0930 - Anything Goes

2 Sisters Challenge Blog  - Challenge #163 - Anything Goes

Christmas Cards

Hello fellow crafters! I have not posted anything in almost a month nor have I submitted any projects into challenges. I have been very busy trying to come up with ideas for Christmas cards. It seems my creative juices took a sabbatical and left me stranded. Fortunately, I talked them into coming back and start flowing again. Do any of you have days, weeks or even months when your creativity goes into sleep mode? Please say you do!

I'm posting photos of several Christmas cards that I've made in the last few days.  Each year I have made a different card for each recipient. No two were the same. This year I was planning to make only 1 or 2 types of cards to send to family and friends. However, once I made one, I wanted to make a different one, and then another different one, and so on. So, once again, no two cards will be alike. Why do I punish myself like this you may ask?  Because I love making Christmas cards!!! 

And here are a few of the cards that I've made:

 (the poinsettia was made from vellum, embossed in silver and die cut)

 (love this twig wreath)

 (No, I did not color this scene. It's a desktop wallpaper that I found on line)

 (The die cut layer is a spruce green, although it looks black, and it's matted with gold card stock. 
The sentiment is embossed in gold as are the holly leaves in the opposite corners)

Thanks for stopping by. Hope you enjoyed my burst of creativity. I love comments so please don't hesitate to leave one.

May your creativity never leave you stranded. Have a wonderful day!

Owl Birthday

I made this card for my nephew's 29th birthday. I really enjoyed making this card and love how it turned out.

I started out with an ivory base. Next, I cut a layer in GKD Honey Mustard card stock and dragged GKD Honey Mustard ink over the entire layer and then cut a circle in it using a Spellbinders Standard Circles die.

Next, I inked the raised side of a Darice wood grain embossing folder with Memento Rich Cocoa ink. I then used the inked folder to emboss the honey mustard layer. I matted it in black and adhered it to the base card. 

The owl is a digital stamp which I colored with Copics and then cut out. The leaf branch was cut with Memory Box Lorelei Leaf die, trimmed and adhered to the card. I created the sentiment with my computer and then cut it with Spellbinders Ribbon Banners die and then sponged it with ink while still in the die.

I really like how the "tree bark" turned out. I thought it looked pretty realistic. What do you think?  

Thanks so much for stopping by. I hope you liked my card and come back again. I love to receive comments so please don't hesitate to leave one. And please feel free to become a follower of my blog.

Have a wonderful, creative and safe Memorial Day weekend!

This card was entered into the following challenge(s):
Sister Act  -   Challenge #22 - Anything Goes
Word Art Wednesday  -  Challenge #95 - Anything Goes
613 Avenue Create  -  Challenge #34 - Anything Goes
MFP Speedy TV  -  Simple Salutations 8/28/13
TTCRD  -  Challenge Aug 27-Sep 2  -  Anything Goes

Aster and Ivy Birthday

 

My daughter's birthday was a few days ago and we celebrated it in my home with a delicious crock pot dinner called Chicken Supreme (per her request) followed by an ice cream birthday cake from Dairy Queen.  I have a candle that plays a "Happy Birthday" tune which I use for every birthday. Sure beats lighting umpteen candles. LOL  Anyway, everything was delightfully delicious and for a gift she received a crock pot (of all things) which she had been asking for. And I believe she is making the Chicken Supreme recipe in her crock pot as I post this. Hope she invites me over for dinner!!!

This is the card that I made for my daughter. It's another big one. The base card is ivory, layered with GKD Sweet Mango and Honey Mustard card stock. Next is an ivory layer embossed with a Cuttlebug Chicken Wire folder. The sentiment was computer generated and then cut with Spellbinder's Floral Oval die and sponged with Memento ink while still in the die.

The flower was created using HFC Delicate Asters and the leafy vine was cut with Cheery Lynn's Ivy Corner Flourish die. Stickles was added to the center of the aster to give it some sparkle.

Hope you enjoyed today's post and will stop by often. And I hope you've been inspired and your creative juices are flowing. Have a productive day!

This card was entered into the following challenge(s):

TTCRD  -  Aug 20-27 - Anything Goes

Word Art Wednesday  -  Challenge #94 - Anything Goes

The Outlawz  -  Twisted Thursday - Anything Goes

Sister Act  -  Challenge #21 - Anything Goes

613 Avenue Create  -  Challenge #33 - Anything Goes

Retirement Congratulations

Good morning, everyone! I've been busy making cards but couldn't post them just yet. Here is a 5.25 X 7.25 card that I made for a dear friend who is retiring. This card is much larger than ones I usually make but I wanted to use the large scalloped rectangle. I just love the mustard colored card stock matted in black. I think it is so striking. And the scalloped rectangle just frames the embossed focal point layer so beautifully. Below is a list of the products I used in this project:

Card Stock  -  GKD white, honey mustard, black onyx, grass green

Dies  -  Spellbinders Detailed Scallops, HFC Delicate Asters

Embossing folder  -  Marianne DS0908

Punch  -  MS leaf

Sentiment  - computer generated

Other  -  glue dots, foam dimensionals, Tombo Mono adhesive, Stickles

This card was entered into the following challenge(s):

Sister Act  -  Challenge #21 - Anything Goes

Word Art Wednesday  -  Challenge #94  -  Anything Goes

TTCRD  - Aug 20-27 Challenge -  Anything Goes
The Outlawz  -  Twisted Thursday - Anything Goes
613 Avenue Create  -  Challenge 33 - Anything Goes

365 Cards  -  Day 234 - So Big

Gardenia Birthday Wishes

One more card for today. In this one I used a Cheery Lynn Mexican Tile Pattern die and matted it with purple. I just love this die. It is so very intricate. It also has a center square pattern that you can remove after die cutting, which I did. 

The flower was created with the Memory Box Gorgeous Gardenia Outline and Background dies. I paper pieced the leaves with green card stock and scored them to make them look more realistic. I popped on the flower, stamped the sentiment (GKD Framed Greetings) and was done.

This was a quick and easy card but the end result is a lovely one. Hope you liked it and were inspired to create.

This card was entered into the following challenge(s):

The Outlawz  -  TT080113 - Anything Goes

Word Art Wednesday  -  Challenge #91 - Anything Goes

Sister Act  -  Challenge #18 - Anything Goes

2 Sisters Challenge Blog  -  Challenge #155 - Anything Goes
Tuesday Throwdown  -  Challenge #158 - Birthday Party

Thank You Good Friend

Hello again!  Here's another card I made for this week's challenge at Joan's Gardens. Now, I'm not sure whether this card qualifies as having "negative space" but I thought I'd enter it into the challenge.

Once again, I used white for my card base and embossed a purple layer with a Darice EF to give it texture. Next, I stamped my sentiment (from GKD Botanicals) on white and cut it with Spellbinders Decorative Labels One. Using dimensionals, I popped it onto the card. 

Now for the negative space........I used the outline die from Memory Box called Gorgeous Gardenia and cut two outlines in purple and adhered one over the other, but offset them just a bit. This open die cut was my negative space. Next, I cut a solid gardenia using the Gorgeous Gardenia Background die in a lighter shade of purple and used that to back the outline. I cut another solid gardenia in green and snipped off the leaves and paper pieced them on the solid flower shape. (Have I confused you yet?)  The completed flower was then popped onto the card.

When I began this project I wasn't sure how it would turn out, but I was pleased with the result. I do love that outline die and will use it over and over again.

This card was entered into the following challenge(s)

Joan's Gardens  -  JG0801

Word Art Wednesday  -  Challenge #91 - Anything Goes

Sister Act  -  Challenge #18  -  Anything Goes

The Outlawz  -  TT080113  -  Anything Goes
2 Sisters Challenge Blog  -  Challenge #155 - Anything Goes

Best Friend Ever

Hello, everyone!

Today I made this card for this week's challenge at Joan's Gardens. The requirements were: die cut using its negative space, colors of purple and white, a textured layer and some leaves.

For the base I used white card stock. I added a purple layer which was embossed  with a lattice pattern. (I never labeled the EF so I don't know the name or manufacturer). 

My focal point was created with Marianne Creatables Small Ovals by Petra. In the center of the oval I used Memory Box Wild Blooms die to create the negative space left by the die cut. The leaves in the corners were cut with Marianne Creatables Anja's Vintage Swirls. The sentiment, from GKD Stately Flowers 7, was stamped with Memento ink.

Until next time, I hope your weekend starts out great and ends even better! Have a creative one!

This card was entered into the following challenge(s):

Joan's Gardens  -  JG0801

Word Art Wednesday  -  Challenge #91 - Anything Goes

Sister Act  -  Challenge #18 - Anything Goes

TTCRD  - Challenge Jul 30-Aug 5  -  Anything Goes
The Outlawz  -  TT080113  -  Anything Goes

Praying for You

Hello, everyone! This card is another one that I made to include in the boxed set that I am donating to my church's fall festival next month. It will be one of the door prizes given out at the event.

I wanted to make a get well card that was a bit more appropriate for a serious illness. I came across this sentiment, computer generated, and thought it would be a good one to use on this card.                                                 

Starting with white card stock for my base, I added a layer of red. I embossed a white layer with a Couture Creations embossing folder, added red dots with a Memento marker and adhered it to the red layer.

After printing out my sentiment, I die cut it with Spellbinders Adorning Squares and matted it with another panel in red cut from the same die set. This was then popped onto the card with dimensionals.

The leaf branches were created with Marianne Creatables Vintage Swirls and adhered to the focal point panel.

This card will complete the boxed set. I hope whoever wins this will enjoy sending or giving them and I hope the recipients enjoy receiving them.


This card was entered into the following challenge(s):
TTCRD - Anything Goes - Jul 29-Aug 5
Word Art Wednesday - Challenge #91 - Anything Goes
The Outlawz  -  GCC0729 - Anything Goes

Daisy Blues

Hello fellow crafters! Hope you had a wonderful weekend! Mine was spent cleaning out clothes closets which was a task that was long overdue. Next stop.....the linen closet. 

But I did get time to make this card for a challenge at Joan's Gardens. The project was to include a floral background, a doily, and three dimensional flowers with greenery. And this is what I came up with....

I knew I wanted to make a square card so I started with my base, making it 5x5 in white card stock. Next, I die cut my layers. I cut the floral designed digital paper using the scalloped edge die (second from largest) from Marianne Creatables Anja's Squares. I matted that with blue using the largest die from the same die set. 

My next step was to create a doily. However, I only have one doily die but I felt it was too large for the card, so I used a circular die from Marianne Craftables Tiny Hearts. I then cut two circles with Spellbinders Standard Circles dies (large and small), one in white card stock to stamp my sentiment (GKD Spring Mix STV Kit) and the other in blue to mat that sentiment circle. The matted circle was than adhered to the center of the doily. This doily was then adhered to the base card.

If you look very closely at the floral designed paper you'll notice that there are small blue flowers that look a little like daisies or asters. So....I made the three flowers using two different size dies from Heartfelt Creations Delicate Asters. I used both blue card stock and blue vellum to make these. I added Ranger Star Dust Stickles to the centers of the flowers and arranged them around the doily edge.  The greenery was punched with a MS punch and adhered to the flowers.

This completed my project....now on to cleaning out the linen clost.....(sigh)

This card is being entered into the following challenge(s):

Joan's Gardens -  JG0725
Word Art Wednesday  - Challenge #90 - Anything Goes
Sister Act  - Challenge #17 - Anything Goes

613 Avenue Create  - Challenge #30 - Anything Goes

The Outlawz  -  TT072513 - Anything Goes - Summer Flowers
The Outlawz  -  GCC0729 - Anything Goes
Marianne Design Divas  -  Layer It Up 

Thinking of You Ivy

Hello fellow Crafters! I am working on preparing a boxed set of all occasion cards to donate to my church's fall festival which is taking place next month. This card is just one of twelve that I will be including in the set which will contain a few CAS cards as well as more intricate ones.

As you can see this particular card is a CAS one. I started out with a white card base. I die cut a blue layer with Spellbinders A2 Matting Basics B and a white layer with A2 Matting Basics A. These were then adhered to the base. 

I used smaller dies from the same sets to make the panels for my sentiment, which is from GKD Framed Greetings. This was then popped on with dimensionals. The ivy leaves were cut with Marianne Ivy Corner dies.

And that was it. Easy as pie!

Floral Birthday Wishes

Hello there! Hope the weather has cooled down for many of you who have had to endure extreme temperatures. It's cooler here in my neighborhood but the humidity is still a bit uncomfortable. Not to worry.....autumn is just around the corner!

For today's card I began with ivory card stock for my base. The bottom edge was then die cut with Spellbinders Scalloped Borders One. Of the various borders in that set, this particular one is my favorite. 

Next, using the second largest die from Spelbinders Decorative Labels One, I cut a panel in ivory. Then I cut another panel in peach using Spellbinders Labels One and adhered it to the ivory panel. The sentiment, from GKD Elegant Florals, was stamped and embossed on ivory and then cut with the next to the smallest die from the Spellbinders Decorative Labels One set. The sentiment layer was popped onto the peach panel and then the entire panel was popped onto the base card.

The flowers were die cut from Memory Box Bella Bouquet. While still in the die, I sponged the flowers with Memento ink. I adhered the bouquet to the card and added some greenery using a MS fern punch.
 

This card was entered into the following challenge(s):

MFP FOSTV - Challenge #82 - No Designer Paper

Crafty Cardmakers  - #96 Birthday

Sister Act - Challenge #16
613 Avenue Create - Challenge #29 - Anything Goes

White Christmas Poinsettia

Here is another Christmas card I made for this week's challenge at Joan's Gardens. However, the glitter on the poinsettia and the holly branch doesn't show up at all in this photo.

I started out with an ivory card base. Next, I embossed a green layer using a Darice Interlocking Circles EF and adhered it to the base card. The holly branch was cut from ivory card stock with Memory Box Holly Vine die and adhered to the green layer. Red pearls were added to the vine to represent berries. The sentiment is from Stampin' Up Bells & Boughs and was stamped on ivory and then cut with Marianne Passe-Partout Oval die and popped on.

The poinsettia was created in ivory using Spellbinders Layered Poinsettia dies. While still in the die, I sponged each petal with Memento Desert Sand ink. Next, I added glitter to the petals, shaped and layered them to make the flower. I also added glitter and shaped the poinsettia leaves. I felt the poinsettia needed something more so I added additional leafy branches cut by an MS punch. And finally, I added a pearl for the flower's center.

I'm disappointed that the photo does not show the glitter on the poinsettia and leaves. It really sparkles!

Thanks for visiting and here's hoping you've been inspired to create today!

This card was entered into the following challenge(s):
Joan's Gardens  -   JG0718
MFP Speedy TV  - Challenge #54 - Simple Salutations
613 Avenue Create -  Challenge #29 - Anything Goes
Tuesday Throwdown - Challenge #156 - Anything Goes
Sister Act  - Challenge #16 - Anything Goes
Oozak  -  Challenge #18 - Anything Goes with Texture

Thanksgiving Wishes

.

This card was made for a challenge at MFP Speedy TV which called for any type of holiday card. I chose Thanksgiving as my holiday creation.

I started out with GKD Sweet Mango card stock for my base card. I added a layer of brown from PTI.  Next I die cut a panel in white card stock using Spellbinders Radiant Rectangles and then layered it with some fall digital paper. This was then adhered to the brown layer. 

The wheelbarrow is an image from GKD Beyond Baskets stamp set and the pumpkins are from GKD Heartfelt stamp set.  These were colored with Copics and then popped onto the background. 

The sentiment was computer generated and then cut out with Spellbinders Distressed Edges die, sponged while still in the die, and then popped on with demensionals.

That's two holiday season cards in one day....and in the middle of July! Is this wishful thinking that this torrid summer be over???

Hope you're having a summery day!

This card was entered into the following challenge(s):

MFP Speepdy TV  -  Challenge 54 - Simple Salutions
Sister Act  - Challenge #16 - Anything Goes

The Outlawz  -  Twisted Thursday - TT071813
TTCRD - Anything Goes - Jul 16-Jul 22
Tuesday Throwdown -  Challenge #156 - Anything Goes
CMC Copic Challenge  -  Challenge #73 - Anything Goes

Christmas Poinsettia

It's 94 degrees in my neighborhood and I'm making a Christmas card. Right now it's a most refreshing and cooling thought. It's a pleasant distraction from this tremendous heat.

Actually, this card was made for a challenge at Joan's Gardens in which traditional Christmas colors were to be used along with the addition of something from nature.

I made my base card from white card stock. I added a layer of dark green (GKD All Spruced Up). I embossed a white layer with a Sizzix Peace Poinsettia EF set and adhered it to the green layer.

I cut a red and green oval from Marianne Small Ovals by Petra die. I adhered the two together, the green a bit higher than the red to create a shadow of sorts. Next I cut another oval in white from the same die set and adhered that to the red oval.

I created the poinsettia petals with Spellbinders Layered Poinsettia dies. I  layered them and added gold glitter. The pine branches were cut in green using Impressions Obsessions die. I created the effect of snow with Liquid Applique. The sentiment is from GKD Wishing You Joy STV Kit and was stamped in Memento Tuxedo Black ink on a panel cut from Spellbinders Distressed Edges die.

And that was my very first Christmas card of the year. Although, I do start working on my personal Christmas cards in August since I send a different one to each recipient. Lots of work but I love it!

Thanks for stopping by. Hope you enjoyed your visit!

This card was entered in the following challenge(s):

Joan's Gardens  -  JG0718 

The Outlawz  -  GCC0715 Challenge
Tuesday Throwdown  - Challenge #156 - Anything Goes
Sister Act  -  Challenge #16 - Anything Goes
TTCRD  -  Anything Goes - Jul 16-Jul 22
Oozak  -   Challenge #18 - Anything Goes with Texture
Marianne Design Divas  -   Layer It Up
ABC Challenge  -  R for Roses are Red (red flowers)

Basket of Birthday Wishes

 

My very creative sister-in-law, who lives in Georgia, celebrated her birthday this weekend and I made this card for her.

I started out with a base card in ivory and cut the front bottom edge with a die from Spellbinders Scalloped Borders One. Next, I used brown card stock and cut the bottom edge with another die from the same set. This was then adhered to the base.

I cut a panel of digital paper slightly smaller than the brown layer and cut the bottom edge with the same die. I stamped the floral basket image (HFC Sun Kissed Tags and Basket) and the flower image (HFC Tattered Blossom Swirls) and  colored my images with Copics. I added my sentiment (GKD Floral Wreath) using Memento Tuxedo Black ink and embossed it with clear EP. I adhered this layer to the brown layer.

I then stamped a few small flowers from HFC Sun Kissed Fleur background stamp on white card stock, colored them with Copics and then fussy-cut them out instead of cutting them with the coordinating die. The cut out flowers were then adhered to the flowers in the floral basket to give them some dimension. I colored pearls to coordinate with the flowers and adhered them to the centers.

Hope my sister-in-law had a wonderful birthday and liked her card as well!

This card was entered into the following challenge(s)
CMC Challenge  - Anything Goes Challenge #72

Harvest of Memories

It's not apple harvest time yet, but I wanted to use a new stamp that I just received from Gina K Designs. So I opted to use it for today's CAS challenge at The Outlawz.

This challenge project required stamping an image(s) right on the base card, no extra layers. So I prepared a 5x5 inch card using white card stock and stamped my basket of apples image (GKD Harvest Memories). Next, I colored it with Copics. I used a circle die from Spellbinders Standard Circles Large to create an embossed edge around the image. Leaving the circle die still around the image, I sponged with Memento New Sprout ink. The sentiment, from the same stamp set as the basket of apples, was stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black.

This was an easy card to make and I loved coloring the basket of apples image. 

Thanks for stopping by and please, come again!

This card was entered into the following challenge(s):

The Outlawz  - CAS Challenge

613 Avenue Create  -  Anything Goes Challenge #28

Sister Act  -  Anything Goes Challenge #15

CMC Challenge - Anything Goes Challenge #72

Peach Pretty

Hello, Crafty Ladies (and Gents)! Today is an absolutely perfect day....sunny, low 70s, not a cloud in the sky. It would be even more perfect if the entire summer were like today. But alas, such is not and will not be the case because we must endure two  more months of heat and humidity. Sigh.....

But neither rain nor snow, nor sleet or heat will keep me from making cards! And today I made this card for this week's challenge at Joan's Gardens which called for pastel peach, green and white colors, a fancy corner, a layered flower and a heart.

I started out with making my base card from white card stock. I didn't have any pastel peach paper so I ended up finding digital paper on line. I cut one corner of the peach paper with Marianne Creatables Anja's Corner die. Next, I matted it with some dusty sage card stock and adhered all to my base card. In the center I added a lattice frame cut from Marianne Creatables Anja's Vintage Frame die. 

My flower was made from vellum using Marianne Creatables Flowers Fantasy die. I used two shades of peach colored vellum and adhered the floral layers, alternating the colors ending with the darker peach on top.  I wanted the flower to be darker than the layer it was adhered to in order that it didn't get lost in the background.  I added six tiny pearls to the center.  Next, I cut and embossed leaves in dusty sage with Marianne Creatables Flowers and Leaves die, adhering two sets to the flower and a third set in the lower left corner.

Finally, I cut two heart shapes, one in white and the other in dusty sage, using Spellbinders Classic Hearts dies. I embossed the white heart shape with a Darice embossing folder and matted it off center with the sage green heart shape to make it look shadowed.

No sentiment, but if need be, one can still be added to the top or lower right. This card can also be presented for a number of various occasions without a sentiment on the front, leaving one to create their sentiment(s) on the inside.

Hope you enjoyed this card and hope you come back again!

This card was entered into the following challenge(s):

Joan's Gardens  -  JG0711

Thinking of You Always

According to our local weather forecasters, we have had 14 days of rain in my neighborhood. Today was the most severe but it is all over. Many areas have had flooding issues as the rain has no where to go because the ground is so saturated. But luckily, we are headed for a dry spell and I know everyone is relieved to hear that. 

The rain kept me inside so I made another card for this week's challenge at Joan's Gardens the criteria, for which, was: plain background, double ovals, 2 or more colors and a sentiment.

 I used white card stock for my card base but cut and embossed the bottom edges of both front and back with Marianne Creatables Anja Lace die. I added a pink layer and adhered a lace corner design (Cheery Lynn Lace Corner Deco B) to opposite corners.

For my focal point, I printed out a digital image of flowers and colored them with Copics. Next, I cut the image using an oval die from Spellbinders Radiant Rectangles and sponged around the image with Memento Angel Pink. I layered that onto another oval made with a Marianne Creatables Vintage Frame die. This was then popped onto my card.

For my sentiment I used a stamp from PTI Year of Flowers: Lily of the Valley and cut it with a Spellbinders Petite Scalloped Ovals die. I sponged around the sentiment with Memento Angel Pink ink and adhered it with dimensionals. I added a green leafy swirl cut from Marianne Creatable Anja Swirls as the final step.

Hope your day is sunny and dry and filled with creative ideas!
Have a great one!

This card was entered into the following challenge(s):

Joan's Gardens -  JG0704

TTCRD  -  Anything Goes Jul 9-Jul 15
Sister Act  -  Challenge #14 - Anything Goes
MFP FOSTV - Challenge #80 - Monochromatic