Two vintage-y Christmas cards

Hey there!  No challenge cards in this post.  Just a couple of vintage style Christmas cards that I made recently.  This was one of those times when a simple design popped into my head and everything just fell into place.  I know.  Shocking, huh?!

Ahhhh.  I love vintage.  And I love these cards.  As long as the glitter stays on the cards, but not on me.  If you've ever worked with glitter, you know what I mean.  Right?

I die cut chipboard that I'd saved from the recycling bin, then die cut my patterned paper.  These two, glued together, gave me a sturdy tree and star to pop up on my cards.  For both, I used some chamomile tea ink from PTI to give the edges of the images an antique look.  After that I used a bit of 2-way glue to adhere a sprinkling of MS glitter (coarse glitter on the star, tinsel glitter on the tree) to the edges.  I love the sparkle!  A few wooden stars on the tree and a ribbon bow for each die cut and I was finished.
By the way, my card base is one of Stampin' Up's new In Colors...baked brown sugar.  Love it.  It was perfect layered with naturals cream for both cards.

Thanks for taking a look.  I love visitors.  Remember, if you get my blog posts via email you can click on the name of my blog - Procraftination - at the very bottom of the email, to go directly to my blog.

CAS(E) this sketch #38 - Merry Christmas

Hi, a quick post (yes, I'll try) to share a card I made for CAS(E) this sketch #38.  It's a sketch by Chrissy Larson.  Take a look.

This is a great sketch.  But, oh man, did I struggle with my card.  I've still not decided if I like it.  Just so you know, it does look better in real life than in my photos.  Okay.  Enough excuses.  Here's my card.

I used a die cut for my sentiment, popping it up with foam tape.  I though maybe a few silver sequins would "save" this card.  Hmmm...still not sure.  Well, it is what it is.  Anyway, I've added another Christmas card to my stash!
Thanks for popping in to take a look!

Supply list ~
Cardstock: real red (SU), white (PTI)
Die: wonderful words-holiday (PTI)
Other: silver sequins (C.Cartwrights)

Dynamic Duos Challenge #63 - Merry Christmas

Hi!  We have another duo of great colors to work with this week at Dynamic Duos #63.  I'm amazed each week at the variety of styles and themes that my team mates create.  I'm learning so much from them...and from all of our participants!

So.  Let's get to it.  Here is this week's duo.

When I first saw this duo, I though summery.  But.  Since I've just begun building my stash of Christmas cards, I knew these colors would be perfect for a holiday card.

I've used 2 neutrals, along with the challenge colors.  Cream and gold.  The holly images and the sentiment are embossed in gold.  I've also added a scallop edged piece of brushed gold cardstock behind the focal panel.   Well, then...I couldn't quite stop there.  So I added gold stickles to the berries in the stamped image.

Even though it's not quite the end of July, it's fun to get started on Christmas cards!

Ok, now it's time to click on over to Dynamic Duos and take a look at the awesome cards that my teamies created.  Thanks for taking a look today!

Supply list ~
Cardstock: garden green, pear pizzazz, confetti cream, brushed gold (SU)
Stamps: bells & boughs (SU)
Other: gold EP, scallop edge punch (SU), gold stickles (Ranger)

CAS(E) this Sketch! - Merry Christmas!

It's mid-July.  You know what that means...don't you?

It's time for me to start building my stash of Christmas cards.  Yes, the weather is hot now.  But I send a lot of Christmas cards, so I've GOT to start early.

I'm sharing a card that I made for CAS(E) this Sketch! - CTS #37.  This sketch by Karolyn Loncon is so versatile.  You could go so many directions with this one.  See?

Of course, I went in the direction of Christmas.  :)

I die cut stars from SU glimmer paper, attaching the largest one with scor-tape and the other two with foam tape.  I love the dimension it adds to the card!  The sentiment is embossed with gold EP.

Thanks so much for popping in to take a look.  I love visitors!

Supply list:
Cardstock: cherry cobbler, champagne glimmer paper (SU)
Ink: versamark
Stamps: Christmas blessings (PTI)
Dies: clear cut stackers - stars (WPlus9)
Other: gold embossing powder (SU)

Dynamic Duos #62

Well, we've got a warm color in this weeks' challenge...to go along with this warm weather in northern Illinois.  This color combo for Dynamic Duos #62 can be used so many ways.  And we've got a dessert option for you. A butterfly theme!

I went through my recently reorganized stamp binder and found a set that hasn't touched ink in a long time.  I labeled and reorganized ALL of my rubber stamps.  Now it's so much easier to find what I need.  I don't know why I waited so long to buy a Dymo label maker.  Maybe I'll include a pic of my stamp shelves at the bottom of this post.

Well, I digress.
Using the challenge colors and the dessert option, this is the card I created.

The butterfly image is heat embossed with black EP, then watercolored with Calypso Coral ink.  This is the process I used:
I squeezed the closed ink pad case, to get a bit of ink on the inside of the lid.
Using an Aqua Painter, with no water in it, I dipped the brush in a smidge of water.  Then swirled it in the     ink.  I find that I have more control over the amount of water on my brush, when I use this technique.
Now you're ready to paint.

I tried to go lighter with the ink toward the center of the butterfly and darker toward the outside edges.
I waited until the ink dried completely before adding Glossy Accents to the watercolored areas.

You'll be playing along with me and my Dynamic Duos team mates this week, won't you?  I hope so, because we love seeing what you create!

If you're interested, here is a photo of part of my "newly reorganized" stamp shelves.

I know...not too exciting.  But, what a difference it's made when I'm looking for a stamp set.  I also created a new stamp index binder.  I stamped each set onto a sheet (usually several sets on 1 sheet) of printer paper.  Noted the name of the set and where it's located.  For example: shelf 1, stack 2.
The stamping for the index and the labeling took me most of a day.  Not so much fun, but I'm so very glad I did it.
My clear photopolymer stamps sets are in bins, since they're less bulky. I'm in the process of indexing those too.
Well, if you've read all the way to through this post...you're a loyal follower.  And I THANK YOU!  :)

Supply list:
Cardstock: calypso coral, basic black (SU), white (PTI)
Ink: calypso coral (SU), versamark and onyx black versafne (Tseukineko)
Stamps: take flight (GinaK Designs), beautiful butterflies (PTI)
Other: glossy accents (Ranger)

A trio of cards

It's been a very busy weekend, but a very good weekend.  Lots of time spent with family and friends.  What a blessing!
I found a bit of stamping time today and managed to make this set of 3 cards that will become a gift set.

Once I decided on a theme, I was able to put these together quickly.  I'm really liking how they turned out.
Thanks so much for taking a look!

P.S. All card stock is Stampin' Up!.  Patterned papers are My Mind's Eye. The doily details die is Papertrey Ink.  The label punch is Stampin' Up!.  The stamps are from PTI's Communique Curves.

Dynamic Duos #61 - You're sew lovely

It's Saturday, which means it's time for a new challenge at Dynamic Duos!  It's DD #61.  This weeks colors are so soft and pretty.  See?

I decided to pull out a stamp set that I haven't used in a long time. It's Sew Lovely, from Lawn Fawn.   I did some paper piecing on the dress and dress form.  I find fussy cutting to be so calming.
I stamped the dress form on the white panel also, then layered the pieces onto it.  Then it was time to add a little bling - well, more than a little. :)
I hope you'll play along with me and the rest of the Design Team at Dynamic Duos this week.  We LOVE to see what you create!

Supply list ~
Cardstock: white (PTI), sahara sand, blushing bride (SU)
Ink: momento tuxedo black (Tsukeniko), sahara sand
Stamps: sew lovely (Lawn Fawn)
Other: stitched square die (Lil Inker), pink gems (Recollections)

Thanks so much...for 3 challenges.

I have one card to share with you today.  It's been quite a busy weekend.  Most of it spent at home, but a very good weekend!

This card is going into 3 challenges.

WPlus 9 Monday Mood Board

retro sketches rs#71

CASual Fridays CC108

Three fun challenges that easily fell into place for this card.

I came across Dawn's Monday Mood Board today (yep, I'm a little late to the party) and realized it would work with the other 2 challenges I already planned to use for my card.  I used the pretty colors and shine from Dawn's challenge, the sketch from retro sketches and the material (ribbon and woven golden trim) for the CASual Friday's challenge.

I started by spraying some Mister Huey gold mist on my linen texture card base.  I used the same card stock for the sentiment panel.  Some gold trim and a few gold sequins...and I was done.
Thanks so much for stopping by today.  I love visitors!

Supply list ~
Cardstock: white linen textured (Ellen Hutson), kraft (PTI), basic black (SU)
Ink: onxy black versafine
Stamps: think big favorites #1 (PTI)
Other: black ribbon (SU), gold trim (Hobby Lobby), gold mister huey mist (Studio Calico), sequins (CCartwrights)

Poppies in red, blue and purple!

Hi!  Just a quick post to share a gift set of cards for a family member.  I wanted to use a technique that I haven't used in a LONG time.  And it was soooo much fun.  I colored with Distress inks.  I bought this stamp some time ago, but had only used it once.  Well, it got a lot more use today!

This is the Poppy Background stamp from Hero Arts.  So, what stamps is the background...everything around the poppies.  The blooms (except for the lines within each flower) and the stems are left un-inked.  Everything else was stamped with Versamark and heat embossed with clear EP.  Then the fun part!

I swiped some distress in onto my craft sheet, wet my brush with water, then swirled the brush through the ink.  Time to paint.  I loved seeing those flowers come to life as I colored them!

I used watercolor paper for these panels, so you'll see that my embossed areas are slightly rough or dimpled.  That's due to the texture of the surface of the paper.  Not as smooth as embossing on cardstock.

I'm okay with that, though.  I love the results!

Ummm.  I guess this post wasn't so quick, after all.  I got a little chatty.  Anyway, if you haven't watercolored with distress inks, give it a try.  Let me know what you think.  Ok?

Thanks for looking!

Supply list:

Cardstock: white (PTI), watercolor paper (Canson), riding hood red, tempting turquoise, elegant eggplant (SU)

Ink: fired brick, broken china, dusty concord (Ranger), onyx black versafine (Tseukineko)

Other: craft sheet, clear embossing powder, heat tool, SU aqua painter

Dynamic Duos #60 - A Sympathy Card

Hi!  It's time for a new color challenge at Dynamic Duos.  Wait until you see the very summery colors for Dynamic Duos #60.  Here you go!

I have to admit, I've not used much of my summer starfruit cardstock.  I tend to use softer yellows.  But once I started playing and experimenting with this color...I really like the results.  :)
I'm so glad that Lesley chose this color combo, because it pushed me a bit out of my comfort zone.  That's one of the things I love about challenges!

I used Sahara Sand card stock for one of my neutrals; as the card base.  I've matted with the 2 challenge colors, then used linen textured card stock for the other 3 layers.  The sentiment panel is popped up with dimensional tape.  I love the look of the sentiment stamped in Gumball Green.  It adds to the soft feeling I was going for.
Thanks for spending a little time here.  Now, go take a look at what my super talented Dynamic Duos team mates have designed for your inspiration.  We hope you'll play along!

Anne Marie Hile

Alison Barclay

Debbie Henderson

Hayley Kew

Janet Bagnall

Janet Zeppa

Lori Turner

Michelle Folland

Tara Bourgoin

Tracey McNeely

Supply list ~
Card stock: sahara sand, gumball green, summer starfruit (SU), white linen (Ellen Hutson)
Stamps: words of comfort (CTMH)
Ink: gumball green
Other: lattice bigz die (SU/Sizzix)

You are a Blessing - And a Challenge

No, no...you're not a challenge!  I just couldn't resist combining the sentiment from my card, with the statement that I created this card for a challenge.  Ok.  Lame.

So. Moving on.

I found a new-to-me challenge and the colors in the challenge photo were SO pretty, that I had to play along.  Take a look at the inspiration photo from the City Crafters Challenge Week 166 - Cooling Down.

Ahhhhhh.  See what I mean?

So, I created this.

I used one of my favorite Spellbinders dies for this card.  That edge reminds me of a trellis, so flowers seemed like an appropriate theme.  Yes, like I need an excuse to use flowers on a card, right?
I added a little glimmer to the roses with my clear stardust glitter pen.  It's very pretty in real life.  But, I just couldn't get it to show up in a photo.
This card came together quickly and it was fun.  :)
Thanks so much for stopping in for a look!

Supply list ~
Cardstock: soft sky, tempting turquoise, sahara sand (SU)
Ink: soft sky, taken with teal (SU), versamark, onyx black versafine (Tsukineko)
Stamps: rosie posie, rosie posie step 2, signature greetings (PTI)
Other: rose posie die (PTI), lattice rectangles die (Spellbinders), linen thread (SU), stardust clear glitter pen (Sakura)