Two Christmas gifts

Hi.  A very short post today, to share 2 framed layouts that I created for 2 of our nieces.  Now that they've unwrapped their gifts, it's safe to post the photos here!  It was difficult to get good photos because of the glass...so many reflections.  But I still wanted to share.

You wouldn't believe how long it took me to create these.   I know.  You've heard that from me before, huh?  But the time was SO worth it.  It's something I loved doing!

I hope the girls liked them.

For this one stayed with neutral colors, with a few accents of blue to coordinate with the blue background in her photo.  She's in chorus and likes reading and butterflies...so I incorporated a sheet sheet music printed vellum as the background.  Then I matted her photo with a piece of an old book page.  Then the scattering of butterflies.

For the second layout I used her favorite colors...the colors in her bedroom.  Pink and yellow.  I used some banner die cuts, a star border and a zig-zag border punch.

I used the same sentiment stamp for both layouts because I love the message.

"Take a moment to remember how special you are & how lucky the world is to have you in it."  It is so appropriate for 2 nieces that we love so much!

The stamp is from Papertrey Ink.

Thank you for taking a look today!

Merry Christmas with snowflakes

Hi, I'm finally back. It's been almost 2 weeks since my previous post.  I keep thinking that I've finished making all the Christmas cards that we need.  Then I realize I've forgotten 1 or 2 people.  I *think* this is my final card for the season.  This one is going to our paper carrier with a little something inside.

I'm playing along in 2 challenges.

The Paper Players #126 - Ann's CAS challenge, featuring snowflakes

Retro Sketches #42

Here's my take on that challenge combo!

You know what?  I began with the intention of making this a masculine card.  Hence the blue and brown color choices.  Because our paper carrier is a guy.  Um.  I'm thinking I should have stopped myself from adding those pretty blue gems.  So pretty.  But not "manly".

Well.

I guess that's Stanley's problem now.

Cause I just can't bring myself to remove those bits of bling.  No.

Anyway, thanks for stopping by.  I appreciate all of my visitors!  Merry Christmas and Peace Be With You.

The recipe:

Card stock: marina mist, whisper white, early espresso (SU) white vellum (The Paper Studio)

Ink: early espresso (SU)

Stamps: love lives here - holiday (PTI)

DSP: festival of lights pack (SU)

Other: blue gems (The Paper Studio), damask snowflake die, snowflake medley die (PTI)

Merry Christmas - Just Us Girls Challenge

Ahhh.  Today is proving to be much more relaxing than yesterday.  Why do I push myself to get so much done in ONE day?  Anyway.  After addressing all of those cards yesterday, I realized I needed 2 more Christmas cards.  I created this one last night, but couldn't photograph until today.

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This one is also going into the Just Us Girls Challenge #166 - Technique challenge, embossing

I still had my heat tool on my craft table, so I chose heat embossing again. Besides...it's so much fun to watch that embossing powder melt into shiny-ness.  Really.

I embossed the leaf images and the sentiment in gold embossing powder.  Then I used my Wild Wasabi marker to color all of those tiny open areas within the leaves.  This is one of those techniques that I forget to use often, even though I enjoy it.  Very easy card to make and to mail.

Thank you for taking a few moments to stop and look.  I hope you're enjoying your Sunday.

Later!

Supplies:

Card stock: white (PTI)

Ink: wild wasabi (SU), versamark

Stamps: harvest berries (PTI), greetings of the season (SU)

Other: gold embossing powder (SU)

Merry Christmas - 2 challenges

Hey, happy weekend.  It's been such a busy weekend so far, that I haven't had a chance to relax yet.  Hopefully, after I've finished this post I'll settle into my recliner for the rest of the evening...and do NOTHING.

So, when I finished addressing Christmas cards today, I realized that I needed 2 more.  So this little number is one of the cards that (I hope) finishes my stack of cards that will go off the the post office on Monday.

I'm playing along in 2 challenges.

CASology week #22 - Sparkle (oh yes, I love sparkle)  This challenge blog is new to me, and I'm really excited to play along.  You should take a look at the inspiration provided by the design team!

Just Us Girls #166 - Technique Challenge {embossing}  I enjoy both heat embossing and dry embossing, so it didn't take me long to decide to play along with the girls this week.

I combined these 2 challenges into this Christmas card.

Guess what?  This card came together so quickly, that I wondered if something was wrong. Ha!  Really, though, I'm so pleased with how it turned out.  It was easy AND fun.

I used a set of star dies from WPlus9 for the focal panel, then I adhered a piece of champagne glimmer paper - very glittery - behind the panel.  The sentiment is heat embossed with champagne embossing powder.  After that I just popped up this panel with foam tape onto the card base and I was done.

Thanks for taking the time to stop by.  I hope you'll leave a comment; I love hearing from my visitors!

Supplies:

Card stock: basic black, champagne glimmer (SU)

Ink: versamark

Stamps: Christmas blessings (PTI)

Other: clear cut stacker dies - stars (WPlus9), champagne embossing powder (Recollections), foam tape, scor-tape, anti-static bag

Holiday Hugs - a Christmas Card

Just a quick post tonight to share a card I made yesterday for 2 challenges.  The evening got away from me, so I had to wait until tonight to post.  Those weekends go SO fast.

CR84FN68 Color Challenge

Retro Sketches - rs#40

I made this card for one of my very special Aunts.  I think she'll like it!

I didn't have any natural light to take these photos, so the burgundy looks a bit washed out.  It's much richer in real life.  I did a lot of layering and embellishing on this card.  And it was fun.  Lots of fun!

I'll list my supplies below.  Gotta go.

Toodles!

Supplies:
Card stock: basic gray, naturals ivory, bravo burgundy, silver glimmer paper (SU)
Ink: smokey gray, onyx black (Versafine), cranberry crisp, basic gray (SU)
Stamps: BB:Postmarks, button boutique, love lives here-holiday (PTI)
Die: button card die collection (PTI)
Other: pewter stick pin (Jenni Bowlin), wine organdy ribbon, linen thread (SU), cream pom pom trim (from my stash), mini wooden spool (Maya Road), thread, scor-tape, foam tape, glue dots

Merry & Bright

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I'm sharing a card that I made for several challenges.  The challenge that really jump started this card is the Moxie Fab World Challenge - Keen On Neon.  Rarely do I use neon colors on my projects/cards...but the inspiration that Cath provided was simply irresistible, so I just had to give it a try!

I'm using the colors from Color Throwdown CTD220.  SO pretty, and perfect for going neon.

Crazy 4 Challenges C4C #165 - Create a card that features a snowman.

The Paper Players Challenge #124, Ann's Theme Challenge - Snowmen

I recently saw a tri-fold card made by Julie Ebersole, on Ellen Hutson's Classroom.  That card inspired me to make this card.

I embossed the snowflakes in turquoise, citron and cherry after die cutting a window in the front of my card.  From there, I knew where to place my die cut, snowman stamped, panel (matted in cherry).  I colored the little guy's hat and scarf in cherry, also.  Then added a bit of stickles to the pom pom and trim of his cap.

I stamped a sentiment inside the card, on that center panel.

This card was a little difficult to photograph.  It refused to stay closed!  You'll see in one of the photos that I got a little help from one of my snowman decorative figures.  It worked!

Thanks for taking a look today!

Supplies:

Card stock: white (PTI), cherry cobbler (SU)

Ink: basic black, cherry cobbler (SU), versamark, jet black staz-on (Tseukineko)

Stamps: merry & bright (SU), snowflake medley (PTI)

Embossing powder: cherry cobbler, tempting turquoise (SU), citron (Recollections)

Dies: classic rectangles large (Spellbinders), clear cut stackers pinking squares (WPlus9)

Other: crystal stickles (Ranger), heat tool