Wrapping up Christmas - Part 2

 Thanks for stopping by.

Well here we are at the end of another year.  I'm sharing today the last 2 Christmas cards that I made for 2024

Card #1

First up is this wonderful Nativity card - (Unity Stamps - Born For Us).  

Card Base: Gorgeous Grape, Patterned paper is from an old pad I've had for years.

Image Stamped with Memento Tuxedo ink & colored with pencils.  Added white snow splatters and some sharing.  Stars in the sky have tiny gems on them. - Added a piece of green/gold rimmed ribbon and mounted with foam tape.  

Dies: Rectangle & fishtail.

Card #2

This was a super CAS card done using: Unity Stamps (Guided by Grace) and sentiment is from an old SU set: (For Unto Us)

Card Base: Night of Navy

Image was stamped on Basic White card stock with Versamark Ink and embossed with Cobalt Tapestry embossing powder.  It's a dark blue with flecks of gold in it. - The sentiment was stamped with Gold ep from SU.  I added some dark blue gems to the sides of the card.  Great for a quick yet elegant looking card.

Happy New Year & I'll be back soon in 2025 with new cards to share.

Wrapping up Christmas - Part 1

 Welcome.  I'm wrapping up Christmas cards from 2024 today and tomorrow.

Starting off with a couple of Nature themed cards:

Card #1

For this card I started out with the patterned paper for my inspiration.  It's from Unity Stamps, (Rustic Christmas line)

Next I used 2 stamps (Merry Christmas & a Plaid Stamp) both are from Unity Stamp KOM

The card base was Early Espresso. I cut out the patterned paper with a Unity Scallop/Rectangle die.  Circle Dies were used for the sentiment.  That was stamped on Soft Sea Foam cs and embossed with Gold Glitter embossing powder.  The plaid was stamped with Shaded Spruce ink on Garden Green card stock.  I added some pinecones, leaves and a small poinsettia that were punched with various dies and topped it off with a piece of sparkly gold ribbon and a tiny brown pearl.

Card #2

This was one of my favorite cards I made this year.  I started with a base of Old Olive Card stock.  The stamped a piece of Very Vanilla with the pine cone image from the (Festive Flair - Nov. 2023 KOM)

with Memento Tuxedo black ink.  I used retired chalks from SU to color the pinecones and sprayed with hairspray.  I tore a piece of Old Olive and distressed the edges with Old Olive ink and layered that over the pinecones and cut it out with Unity Postage Dies.  Next up I splattered the image with Antique Bronze Distress Spray and mounted that on the card base. - Finally I used the smaller postage dies and Embossed the sentiment with Copper embossing powder and also distressed the edges and splattered the same spray on it. That was mounted with foam tape on top of the stamped image.

It was very shimmery in real life.

Card #3

This one just made me smile as I knew who it was going to right off the bat. So for this I started with a card base of Cherry Cobbler.  Then I found this cool piece of plaid paper in the little goodie bag from Unity and decided to use it for my card.  I also picked out a piece of designer paper (Unity Rustic Christmas pack) but from there I took a snowflake image from the (Wander and Wonder - Sept. 24 KOM) and some Crushed Olive Distress ink and stamped on top of the designer paper.  I tore the edge, layered it over the plaid piece and cut it out with a Scalloped Rectangle die.

The cat image is from Unity (Ho Ho No Pissy Kitty).  I stamped it with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on Basic White card stock and colored with pencils. Cut it out with SU Stylish Die and mounted it over a piece of Old Olive card stock.  Stamped the sentiment on a Fishtail die and added some red enamel dots to complete the card.

Thanks for stopping by. Tomorrow I will be wrapping up with my final 2 cards that I made for Christmas of 2024.

More Christmas cards.

 Wow it's almost Christmas! - I hope by now you have everything done that needs to be done.

Today's cards:

First up is this adorable mouse image from Unity Stamps September 2024 KOM (Wander and Wonder) Card Details: Ink used, Memento Tuxedo Black. Card Stock - SU Real Red and Basic White,

Dies: Unity Rectangle dies. Pattern paper was from my stash. Snowflake was from a Tag and Snowflake die I received as a free gift with an order from Scrapbook.com I colored the image with colored pencils and blended with Gamsol.  Added some sequins to finish the card off.

Next up is this sweet little deer image, Unity Stamps, (Little Love Deer). The sentiment for this card and the one above are from another Unity set, (Artic Joyride). Card details: Card Stock, SU Old Olive, Cherry Cobble, Crumb Cake and Very Vanilla. Punches are from a set I have so not sure of the source.  Image colored with pencils.  Embossing Folder, Swiss Dot. Also used some green enamel dots, a fishtail die and foam tape.  I lightly brushed a white pigment pad over the embossed panel as well.

Next we have this sweet Penguin image from Unity Stamps, (Artic Affection).  The sentiment was a freebie from Unity in one of their awesome little goodie bags they send with orders. Patterned paper is also Unity (Rustic Christmas).  I embossed the image with Versamark and Detail Black embossing powder and then water colored the images with various SU inks.  Card Base was, Garden Green and I also used some Pretty in Pink card stock as well as Basic White.  Circle Dies and Rectangle dies are from Unity.  I added some pretty glitter and a pink heart gem to complete the card.

Finally finishing off today's cards with another darling deer image:  

For this card I used Real Red, Pretty in Pink, Basic white card stock.

I stamped the image with Memento Tuxedo black ink and colored with pencils blended with Gamsol.  The patterned paper is from, Scrapbook.com Holiday patterned collection.  I also used Unity Scallop and Rectangle dies. Swiss Dot embossing folder,  Unity Grunge Cut tag dies, a small punched star and some baker's twine.

I hope you have enjoyed this group of cards.  I had a lot of fun creating them.

Non-Traditional Christmas

Hello,  Hope you are enjoying the last few days before Christmas - It's such a busy time of year.  

Today I'm featuring a trio of Christmas cards that are not quite as "traditional" as they feature metallic colors.

First up is a card that I made using scraps left over from a this card from 2020

Here is this years version using the same color scheme.

So for this card I used the same patterned snowflake paper but added an embossed white panel. They used my new Joy die (Unity Stamps) and some paper from SU that has silver lines on it.  Circle dies are also Unity. Added a small shimmer pearl to the center of the snowflake. Sentiment panel is raised using foam tape.

This one is much prettier than the picture shows.  It's done in White and Copper Colors.  The embossing folder was a gift from a friend.  I added copper color splatters to it and some copper toned gems.  The stamp is from an old SU stamp set.

Finally a card featuring Navy, White & Gold for the color scheme.

Patterned paper was purchased at a JoAnn's store.  Snowflake die is from Momenta and I added stickles to it.  Used Gold Embossing for the sentiment which is from an old set from, Lizzie Ann Designs that I've had for years.  Added some tiny gold gems in various places.

All these card really sparkle and shine but it's hard to get good photographs of that.

Joy and Peace at Christmas - NBUS#68

 Hello and Welcome.

Today I'm sharing the 2nd card I created based off Lisa Arana's cards:

This one was inspired by the card on the right side of the photo (click to enlarge all photos).

Unity has some awesome paper packs and I really like the one that Lisa used but don't have that one.  Instead I used another of their great paper packets for my card and yes it's a more traditional color palette for Christmas.

I'm using new to me paper and dies for this card so will be including this on NBUS#68

I really liked the distressed feel of Lisa's card and of course that awesome little tag.  So here is what I created using her card as my inspiration:

For this card I layered a piece of (Rustic Christmas) patterned paper onto an A2 size piece of Garden Green (SU) card stock. - I wanted to add a little texture to my card so I changed up my design by adding a strip of Garden Green card stock that was embossed with the Pine branch embossing folder from (Spellbinders).

For my tag I used (Grunge Cut) tag dies from Unity. These are very popular and it looks like they are sold out again.

The sentiment is from an older 2023 KOM (festive flair).

I cut my tag out on Basic White card stock and distressed it with Red paint spritzed with a little water and brushed on randomly with a paint brush. The sentiment was stamped in Memento Tuxedo black ink on another piece of card stock and glued on top of the tag.

I cut out my pine branches, berries and pinecone with Garden Green, Real Red and Chocolate Chip*retired card stock.  The dies are from a set I have from (Momenta).  Then I distressed them with some white paint.  I didn't like how the paint dried so I decided to add some sparkle using Versamark ink and some White Diamond embossing powder.  I used glue to hold them down onto the tag although some pieces are raised up.

Next I tied some silver twine around the tag and used foam mounting tape to raise the tag up on the card.  -  Grunge usually isn't my style but I like how this turned out and hope you do as well.

Again a big thanks to Lisa for sharing her wonderful cards and inspiring mine. - Happy Stamping.

Poinsettia Magic and Wonder

Welcome! - Today I'm sharing another Christmas card with you.  I took my inspiration from this card:

The card on the left.  -  These cards were created by Lisa Arana from Unity Stamp Company.

I liked the look of the craft cardstock but decided that I wanted color on my card so while I was inspired by her card it is totally different than hers.

See I told you it was quite different.  The things I was inspired by from Lisa's card,  Kraft Card stock, Distressing, Poinsettia, Speckles.

So for my card I used a different poinsettia stamp since I don't have the one she used.  Mine is from the Unity September KOM (wander and wonder).  I stamped it twice on Kraft (Crumb Cake - SU) card stock using Memento Tuxedo Black ink.  Then I colored the image with 2 Prisma Colored pencils.  One pink one and one mint green one.  I blended the color with a blending stump and Gamsol.  Next up I splattered it with white paint diluted with a little water and used a tooth brush to splatter by running my finger down the brush (messy but fun).  Next up I also added some splatters of Antique Bronze Distress ink (Tim Holtz) using the toothbrush but no water this time.

Finally I added some Nuvo Dream Drops (Cloud) and sprinkle on some clear white diamond glitter to the center of the flowers.  I let that all dry before assembling the card.

My sentiment is done the same way and is from the same KOM. I used a Banner die (MFT) and layered it with foam tape over the image panel.

Colors of card stock used:  Pretty in Pink and Mint Melody (oh I miss that one from SU). Pink and Mint are some of my favorite colors together.  I also distressed the edges of the craft panel using a distressing tool (retired from SU).

Oh I almost forgot the small pink pearls.  I've had these for years so I'm not really sure where they are from.  The little one is super tiny.

                A close-up of the sparkle and shimmer on this card.

That's the scoop on how this card was made.  Come back again as I will be featuring another card inspired by Lisa from the right side of the photo shown at the beginning of the post.

Thanks Lisa for the "inspiration" and thank you for stopping in to check out my cards.  - Happy Stamping!

Simply Holiday Deer - NBUS#68

 Welcome!

 I'm here on the blog today sharing a couple of Christmas cards.  I'm in Christmas card mode right now so you'll be seeing a lot of them in the next few weeks.

I have 2 cards today both made with the same stamp set:

Simply Holiday Deer from Unity Stamps Uniquely Unity 10/24 Kit.

Submitting to NBUS#68 since this is a brand new stamp set and a brand new paper pack on the first card.

Card 1:

Details: Stamp Set - Simply Holiday Deer (Unity Stamps)

Card stock: Real Red and Basic White (SU)

Designer Paper - Unity (Rustic Christmas)

Dies: Unity (Scallops and Rectangles)

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Other: Prisma Colored Pencils, Gamsol, White Luster Brush,Tiny Gems, Glitter, Foam Tape.

For this card I made my own snow template and blended on some blue ink to create snow banks.  It's hard to see in the picture but there are also white splatters and glitter accents on the trees and deer antlers.  I colored the image with pencils and blended with Gamsol.

Card 2:

This card used the same stamp set, (Simply Holiday Deer) except for the sentiment which came from Unity (Winter Cheer and Deer)

Card Stock: Poppy Parade, Crumb Cake (SU) and I'm not sure what Green I used but it's from (SU).

Designer Paper - Purchased at JoAnn's - Funny story to follow on the paper.

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Colored Pencils,  White Lustre Pen, Glitter, Circle Punches (SU), Dies from Unity. Ribbon (American Crafts) and some small staples.

Again this card also has glitter on it.

So here's the funny story about the paper.  One day my bowling partner showed up with a shirt that reminded me of the paper I had.  She wore it again this week so I had to get a picture of the paper and her shirt:

Here is my paper:

Here is her shirt:

Very close resemblance wouldn't you say! She got a kick out of it when I showed her the paper pattern.

Paper Players #713 and NBUS#68

 Welcome!

Today's card is going into the Paper Players #713 sketch challenge and also NBUS#68

Here is the sketch:

Below is the card that I made for these challenges.

My very first Christmas card of the season.  I'd best get busy on my stash!

For this card I used a set of stamps that I bought last year after I had completed all my Christmas cards so this is it's first time being inked up.

Card Base: Real Red, Other colors used: Basic White and Mint Melody (retired) Designer Paper from SU from a couple of years ago.

Stamp set:  Simon Hurley - Silly Santas and matching dies.

Inks: Real Red, Memento Tuxedo Black

Other: Swiss Dot Embossing Folder, Circle dies, foam tape, sequins

Getting this in under the wire so if you have questions about it feel free to email me.

FMS615 and CTD772

 Hello and Welcome.

Today's card is the card I made for:

Freshly Made Sketches #615 

and Color Throwdown#772

 

 

Here is what I created for these challenges:

 

 Details:  Card Base: Blueberry Bushel cs (SU)

Aqua layer from Hobby Lobby - I embossed it with the Swiss Dot embossing folder and cut it out with a Unity nesting die.  I stamped the sentiment (from a mini set of stamps I bought years ago at WalMart) - I stamped it with Memento tuxedo black ink - then embossed the swiss dots.

The designer paper was also purchased at Hobby Lobby and cut with a large Fishtail die.  

I embossed a piece of white card stock with Versamark ink and dumped Cobalt embossing powder (PSE) and heat set it.  Then I cut out the snowflake with a Momenta snowflake Die.  I added Gold Pearl accents (Paper Studio). 

The embossing powder is a cobalt blue with flecks of gold in it.

I mounted the snowflake with a couple of foam dots to raise it up off the card.

PP668 - and NBUS

 Welcome.  Thanks for joining me today.

First off thank you so much to Amy for the shout out on Freshly Made Sketches and The Color Throwdown for this card posted earlier this week.

I had so much fun with that stamp that I decided to use it again for this weeks Paper Players Sketch challenge:

Here is the card I created for the PP668 challenge.

 

 This will also go in for NBUS#56 - Yes I know the stamp was used yesterday but it's still pretty brand new.  Plus I used the background paper, ribbon, enamel dots and sentiment stamp for the very first time.

Card Base:  Pretty Peacock, Designer Paper: Dashing Holiday (Memory Box).  Tree Stamp - Unity-November 2023 KOM (Festive Flair.  Sentiment stamp - Unity - September 2013 KOM (Happiness has no limit). 

So for this card I embossed a partial image of the trees on a piece of Basic White cs with Verdigris embossing powder (PSX - I don't think they are in business any longer).  Then I edged it with Gold Pigment ink (Encore) I stamped the sentiment with Pretty Peacock ink and punched it out with an old SU circle punch and layered with a larger circle of the Pretty Peacock cs.  I dry embossed the Brushed Gold (retired SU - How I miss that card stock) with the Swiss dot embossing folder.  This was layered over the designer paper.  I had some ribbons in my stash so I added a couple of those and some new enamel dots (Echo Park).  The tag was glued down and I raised the sentiment up with foam dots.

 The hard part of this card for me was trying to figure out how to measure and cut the angled piece in the sketch.

Be sure to stop by and check out the DT cards.  - Have a great day.

 

FMS#613 and CTD#770

 Welcome - Well it's been a bit since I've posted. - Trying to keep up with getting Christmas cards made (I'm way behind) and of course with the holiday season starting things have been a bit hectic.  Plus on top of that I've been dealing with a cold and bad cough for a couple of weeks.  Anyway today I'm finally back to share a card.

This card is for FMS#613  and CTD#770

 

Here is the sketch:

and below is the Color combo from the throwdown.

 

                                                                                                                                                                       This is what I created for these 2 challenges.  - I wanted to try and do a Christmas card with this color combo - It seems strange for Christmas but it actually works.

 

 This is a pretty simple CAS card but I like how it turned out.  

 

Details:

Basic Black card base.

Trees from Unity November 2023 KOM (Festive Flair) stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on Basic White card Stock.

Colored with Prisma colored pencils and blended with Gamsol.

Strips of Washi Tape, Small Iridescent Sequins were added.

I also used some glue and Iridescent Glitter (Art Institute) to highlight the Joy sentiment.  I was cut out on an SU stylish die.

Focal Image and Banner mounted with foam tape.

 

The hardest part of this card was trying to line up the Washi tape evenly.  I succeeded for the most part.

 

Freshly Made Sketches#611 and NBUS#56

 

 Welcome!

 

Today I'm sharing another card using the FMS#611 

 

This time I've actually made a Square card ( 5x5).

 

I slightly changed the sketch though as I wasn't happy slanting my main focal element. - See card below:

 

 Since this die deer/tree die is being used for the first time along with the patterned paper I'm going to also enter for NBUS#56

 

I bought the die last year and then just couldn't seem to figure out what I wanted to do with it. I think it went well with this sketch.

 

Details:  Card Base: Basic White, Middle Layer, Real Red

Patterned paper: The Paper Studio (Christmas Basics pack) - Which I've had for several years.

 

Dies: Penny Black - Deer in Tree and the Snowflakes are from Memento.

Silver Pearls - Annabelle Stamps (no longer in business).

Sentiment Stamp: Tim Holtz Mixed Media - Stampers Anonymous.

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Foam Tape.

 

So do you think I should have slanted the tree? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Color Throwdown#716 and NBUS#43

 Welcome!

 

Today I'm joining the Color Throwdown blog for challenge #716 

 

Here is the inspiration photo and colors: Plum, Sage & Blush

 Also entering for NBUS#43

 

 

 

 

Here is the card that I created for this challenge. - I really liked the soft colors but could not seem to locate any designer paper in those colors so I decided to stick to using only card stock in those colors.

 

I started of with a card base of Perfect Plum (retired SU). Next I created a layer of Sage Shadow (retired SU) that I embossed with a new embossing folder from Spellbinders (Forevergreen).

Next up I stamped my image with Memento Tuxedo ink and used colored pencils to color the image.  I added some glitter to the star and used a gel pen for the little pink ornaments on the tree.

I cut the image out using SU Stylish dies and Circle Nestabilite Dies.

The pink circle was cut from SU Blushing Bride card stock.

Next up I stamped the sentiment from my new SU stamp set:  Brightest Glow with the Tuxedo black ink and used another of the Stylish dies.  I mounted the sentiment and the image with foam tape and added 3 light blush pink dots to complete my card.

 

So now I have my very first Christmas card of the season made.  I'd best get busy though as the holiday season is upon us now and time goes by quickly!

 

Fusion Card Challenge - It's a New Year

 

Welcome!  -  Today I'm sharing a card I created for the new Fusion challenge. - It's a New Year.

 

For this challenge you can either use just the sketch or the inspiration photo or both.

 

 

For my card this time I just went with the inspiration photo.  I really liked all the gold sparkle and the bokeh.  Here is what I created:

 

 I went CAS with this card and also made my very first Christmas card for this year, (getting a head start!)

 

Card Base is Basic White.  Next I added a layer of Brushed Gold card stock (retired SU and my very last scrap of it, boo hoo).

On top of the gold layer I added a piece of white designer card stock that has gold/silver glitter pieces in it.

 

I used some punched poinsettias (Waffle Flower cover die) 

Using the gold/white designer paper from Paper Studio that I purchased at WalMart.  To the center of those flowers I used my new, Gold Luxe Nuvo Dream Drops.

 

I embossed the sentiment (D. Hunter) with Bold Gold embossing powder (SU) on Basic White cs and mounted it with foam tape over the sparkly paper.

 

I really like how sparkly it turned out but boy is it hard to get a decent picture of the sparkle. 

 

Thank you for stopping by & have a nice day.

Christmas Past

Happy 2022 - Welcome,  I hope you are enjoying the New Year so far. It's been a "snowy" one for our area (much to my dismay) but so far I haven't been depressed about it.

So today I'm sharing a couple of cards that I just did not have the time to post before Christmas arrived.

Both cards use the same stamp set: Gifts of Joy (2005 - SU)

Card No. 1 - This card has a "retro" feel to it.

I stamped the Santa image with Real Red ink on Basic White cs and fussy cut him out.  The Card base is Real Red layered with Crumbcake.  The designer paper is a very old DCWV holiday stack.

I used Mint Macaron card stock and a Martha Stewart punch.

The sentiment is from Tim Holtz Bold Tidings  stamp set.  I stamped it with Memento Tuxedo ink and used Circle Dies to cut it out.  I also added some tiny light green gems and mounted the Santa image with foam tape.

 Card No. 2 - For this card I went with more of a sparkly/festive look.

Card Base was, Mossy Meadow layered with Cherry Cobble and a piece of designer paper that I have no clue where it came from.  I also added a small strip of pear pizzazz.  The Santa was stamped with Cherry Cobbler ink and fussy cut.  The sentiment was stamped with Mossy Meadow ink and mounted with circle dies.  I added some green sequins to the card as well and some clear sparkly glitter to Santa. (hard to see in the photo but it was very sparkly). 

 

 

I hope you have enjoyed both of these fun holiday cards.

Rustic Poinsettia Christmas

 Hello & Welcome!

Today I'm featuring a card which was sent to a blogging friend and now that I know she has received it I'm going to show the rest of you.

Now I must confess this card is a "case" of a card I saw in an old stamping magazine. - I kept a lot of the Paper Crafts magazines (how I miss them) and from time to time I get them out for inspiration.  Here is a picture of the card from the magazine:

Kimberly Crawford use to have a stamping blog (https://kimberly-crawford.blogspot.com/) but is no longer posting cards as she has now become a surface pattern designer.  I wanted to give her credit though for the card idea.

So for my card I used the following:

Poinsettia Die - Waffle Flower

Holly Leaf Die - Momenta

White, Green and Red felt

Background Stamp: Retired SU Plaid

Burlap Card Stock: DCWV (Die Cuts With a View)

Card Stock: Crumb Cake - SU

Ink: Real Red - SU

Sentiment: Amuse Studio - Essential Sentiments

This was a fun card to create but I will say that in order to get the felt to cut I had to use a shim and run it through the machine and back several times before it cut completely through the felt.

Have a great day & Happy Stamping!