Monday, December 31, 2012

A series of Thinking of You cards



I am making several Thinking of You cards.  Most of the details are in my gallery at SCS.
The last card uses this sketch:  http://www.sweetsketchwednesday.blogspot.co.uk/
I used misc. papers and an image (SU)  that were gifted to me. The flowers are frpm Petaloo, and the crystals from JoAnn's,  I added a bit of silvery ribbon and a computer generated sentiment.

Saturday, December 29, 2012

For MaryLou

It has been a while - we have just had a week of travel and visiting family - what a great Christmas, to share with family and friends.  I hope you have also had a blessed Christmas.
This is for a friend with many health problems.  The latest issue for her was back surgery - so she spent Christmas in a rehab facility.  It is a very pleasant place, but still lonely.  We had a chance to visit briefly a few days ago, and now I want to continue to do what I can to cheer her.
I used some Spellbinder dies I have had for a long time.  The blue and paisley as well as the ribbon are also from my stash.  I added the gold strips to cover an error in cutting - I suspect a few of you can relate!  The sentiment is Our Daily Bread (Faith).
Sketch, and neglected stash:  http://sketchandstashchallenge.blogspot.com/:
Any:  http://www.ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Shining%20the%20Light%20Challenge
Embellishments:  http://www.pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com/2012/12/pile-it-on-49-pile-on-embellishments.html
Dry embossing:  http://stamptacularsundaychallenge.blogspot.com/
Focus on a sentiment:  http://sentimentalsundays.blogspot.com/
Faith http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Christmas tag

I need a number of tag/gift card holders for grandkids.  Since time is short, I am going for a simple design - though the letter cutting does take some time.  I have more to post later.
Embossed tree -  QuicKutz; snowflake - Recollections puinch;  letters - CB Olivia; glitter, ribbon, tiny punch.  Thanks to a couple of Design Team members for ideas and inspiration.
Tags:  http://sentimentalsundays.blogspot.com/
           http://thepinkelephantchallenge.blogspot.com/
           http://craft-roomchallenge.blogspot.com/
Christmas::  http://celebratetheoccasion.blogspot.com/
snowflakes:  http://www.ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Shining%20the%20Light%20Challenge

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Merry Christmas, every one - my favorite holiday.

I should soon be finished with Christmas cards for 2012!  This stamp is Kolette Hall - I think from the $ bin at Michael's.  The dp is from Paper Studio's Faith pad, and I used a favorite tool - the Cuttlebug embossing folder (snowflakes).  More favorites are the nesties and the Spica pen (gold).
 But the favorite I wish to highlight is the celebration of Christmas, and the message on this card.  This year we are looking forward to celebrating the birth of the Savior, but with heavy hearts, as we try to understand the tragedy in Connecticut.  We keep all those families in our prayers.
Sketch:  http://www.sweetsketchwednesday.blogspot.com/
Christmas:  http://stamptacularsundaychallenge.blogspot.com/
Favorites:  http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/

Glittery White for Christmas

I discovered more names on my Christmas card list!  This was fairly quick, and still meets some challenges, I think.  I added glitter to the snowflake bg, and used shimmery white cs for that layer.  The stars are punched from shimmery off white cs with a Recollections punch.
For this ODB challenge:  N= New punch, Nativity;  O= old lace (that was a hard one);  E= embossing;  L= lace, layers.
NOEL -  http://www.ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Shining%20the%20Light%20Challenge
Sketch:  http://thecraftsmeowshop.blogspot.com.au/
White:  http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/
Sparkle and shine (more IRL than you can see here!):  http://eurekastamps.blogspot.com/2012/12/challenge-18-sparkle-and-shine.html
Snow: http://pausedreamenjoychallenges.blogspot.co.uk/
      http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.com/ 

Friday, December 14, 2012

Tag - Gift card holder

This is dual purpose - a tag and gift card holder - the ribbon means in can hang on the tree also.  Is anyone else like me - pressed for time?  So, I admit, I took a fairly easy way out.  The challenge at Simon Says Stamp and Show is to use a Tim Holtz tag for inspiration.  They are gorgeous, but right now is not the time for me to try one of his techniques.  I chose this tag:  http://timholtz.com/12-tags-of-christmastag-9/  Then I found some double sided DP (Costco) that I thought resembled the tag.  My "sentiment" is our grandson's name, and I used a QuicKutz folder to emboss a tree (well, it is actually debossed!!).  I left the gift card in the holder, so this is designed to hold that size.  Letters are cut with the CB Olivia dies.
Directions:  I cut the cs 12x5.5.  I folded it across, leaving the top layer about 6 inches.  That way, the back is a little shorter than the front.  I made a fold of about 1/3 inch along the entire side.  I trimmed that portion off the back, and adhered this strip along the back.  Easy peasy! 

Tag:  http://simonsaysstampandshow.blogspot.com/
Gift card holder:   http://sentimentalsundays.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Christmas #21

I used Paper Studio DP for the body of the card.  I bought a package of misc. paper items at a yard sale (#1!!) and discovered a sheet of stickers.  IRL they are quite shiny and nice, with gold edges.  I thought these two complimented the DP - and worked for the sketch!  I bought the DP a year ago, and have hardly made a dent in the stack.
Sketch:  http://feeling-sketchy.blogspot.com.au/
Christmas: http://dreamvalleychallenges.blogspot.com/
                  http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://christmasatsweetstampinchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/

White, snowy Christmas

I sometimes think improvise is my middle name!  Nothing I had seemed to work for the embellishments beside the main image of this sketch - so I made snowflakes from a bit of an EKSuccess border punch.  I used glittery cs for these punches and die cuts.  The image and sentiment are from an unnamed cube.  The BG is the CB snowflake  folder, and the stamped snowflakes is Your Next Stamp.  I added a bit of lacy ribbon and some Doodles die cuts (Spellbinders).
Sketch:  http://sketchsaturday.blogspot.com/
Snow/snowflakes:  http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/
                       /http://stampinfortheweekend.blogspot.com/
White, with black and ribbon:  http://reasonableribbon.blogspot.ca/search/label/challenges
White:  http://craftyannschallengeblog.blogspot.com/
Uplifting  - the greatest gift of Christmas: http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/

Monday, December 10, 2012

Christmas #20

This is the same image I have been using - with a JustRite sentiment.  I used two different papers from the Paper Studio Faith stack, and added ribbon as well as dark green mats.
Sketch:  http://www.sweetsketchwednesday.blogspot.com/
Christmas:

Christmas #19

I actually have more than 19 cards, but this is a way to change titles here LOL!  I tried  for a vintage look with the sepia/brown image and slightly distressed edges.  I also have vintage lace - purchased at an estate sale, and I am sure it must be over 50 years old (come to think of it, I am a lot older....!!!).  The snowflakes are embossed on shimmery cs, and that reminds me of the ceilings in some old buildings.  I added shimmer to the star with my new gold Spica pen.  Otherwise, everything here is at least 6 months old and some much older - the sentiment says SU 1995, though I have owned it for just a few years.
Sketch & vintage:  http://willowsketchiechallenge.blogspot.com/
Snow:  http://oldiebutagoodiechallenge.blogspot.com/
Light (star):  http://twistoffaithcards.blogspot.com.au/

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Blue and White Christmas

Here is another Christmas card in blue and white.  I used my brand new LifeStyleCrafts ef - Woven, and some new rhinestones from Joann.com.
Sketch - rotated:  http://tuesdaymorningsketches.blogspot.com/
Christmas:  http://shoppingourstash.blogspot.com/
Blue and white, ovals, ribbon, dry embossing:  http://www.atjoansgardens.com/2012/12/this-weeks-challenge.html
Blue and white:   http://pausedreamenjoychallenges.blogspot.co.uk/

Christmas 17

I used my new Christmas tree embossing folder (QuicKutz) for this, as well as Nesties circles and ovals.  The trees are from an unidentified cube stamp I have had for a long time.  I added some glitter.  The sentiment is Hampton Art.  In addition to blue and white CS, I used a bit of DCWV glitter cs, and embossed snowflakes on it.  The ribbon is light blue.
Sketch:  http://www.ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Shining%20the%20Light%20Challenge
Blues and "snowflake": http://theplaydatecafe.blogspot.com/
Blue, with ribbon, ovals, and embossing:  http://www.atjoansgardens.com/2012/12/this-weeks-challenge.html
Blue and white:  http://www.vostamps.blogspot.com/http://www.vostamps.blogspot.com/
Winter scene:  http://eurekastamps.blogspot.com/2012/12/challenge-17-winter-wonderland.htmlhttp://eurekastamps.blogspot.com/2012/12/challenge-17-winter-wonderland.html
Die cut:  http://especiallymade.blogspot.com/p/weekly-challenge_14.html

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Fall card with circles

I should have completed this challenge a few weeks ago - but I did manage to do a fall card, and one that expresses thanks, using a stamp by Unity (Faith).  I used Nesties to cut circles for layering the flowers.  The DP is DCWV, and the flowers are Petaloo, with half pearls added.  some gold ric rac, and an edge by Martha Steward complete the look.
Sketch:  http://mojomonday.blogspot.com/
Circles:  http://kaboodledoodles.blogspot.com/
Fall:  http://www.theunitystampco-challenge.blogspot.com/

Friday, December 7, 2012

An angel has charge over you

This Madison Window die vanished for a while, and I am glad it is back in the fold.  I thought I would try it with the angel (SU On Angel Wings).  I will use one of the verses from the set on the inside - For He shall give His angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy ways )Ps. 41:11).
The red is embossed with my brand new QuicKutz Woven folder, and I used one of Spellbinder's Doodles around the window.  The gold is a piece of a roll of gold mesh, with a gold ribbon added down the center.
Sketch:  http://sundaysketchandstamp.blogspot.com/
Red and white inspiration photo - with a window:  http://stamptacularsundaychallenge.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://corrosivechallengesbyjanet.blogspot.com/
And:  http://ppp-makeitmonday.blogspot.com /
View from the inside of a house:  http://simonsaysstampandshow.blogspot.com/

Christmas Cards 15, 16


I have added several Christmas cards to my SCS gallery, but I am still behind LOL!  I am using the Paper Studio Faith stack (dp), my unknown rubber stamp, and the Snowflake EF.  The sentiment at the bottom is JustRite.
TOP card:
Sketch - http://sundaystamps.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.com/search/label/challenge
BOTTOM card:
Sketch:  http://christmascardchallenges.blogspot.com/
Non traditional Christmas colors:  http://sentimentalsundays.blogspot.com/
And:  http://incywincydesigns.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Thank You in B&W & Maroon

After a series of green cards, it is time for something different.  This is a thank you - I think you can see bits of the TY embossing folder (CB).  The image is Hampton Art, and I hope the color is close to maroon!  The black strip is cut and embossed with a Spellbinders border die.
The sketch:  http://freshbreweddesigns.blogspot.com/2012/11/fbc-121-november-prize-challenge.html
Black, white and maroon:  http://theplaydatecafe.blogspot.com/
The thank you challenge is also a thank you to this blog for sponsoring 100 challenges - they will be closing at the end of the month, and I want to say thank you to them for so many challenges - you will be missed! - http://doyoustackup.blogspot.com/

Monday, December 3, 2012

Simple tag

In reality, I seldom make tags - and most definitely not fancy ones, except for special situations.  So this is a pretty simple one.  I adhered the Basic Grey cs to the base - cut with dies #3 and 4 from Labels4.  After I embossed the snowflakes I realized I had placed the tag upside down in the folder.  So it is debossed - but the back is nicely embossed LOL!!!  The tag section is computer generated and cut with edging scissors.
Tag:  http://skippingstonesdesign.com/
Tag, with Basic Grey cs:  http://basicgreychallenges.blogspot.com/
Tag, using a Snowflake (Cuttlebug) EF available here:   http://www.atjoansgardens.com/

Get Well, son-in-law

If you read my previous post, you know about our granddaughter.  Well, her dad had minor surgery the day before her injury - he will need some rest and recovery time.   I thought Riley depicts the rest he should be getting.  These are some old DCWV papers used with an Argyle embossed piece.  The trim is a Spellbinders doodle, with a few tiny punches - I have trouble with embellishments for a guy!  Oh, yes, I used a scrap of the negative from a border punch as a mat for the sentiment.
Sketch:  http://seemsalittlesketchy.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/

Broken nose

Yes, that is a bit of a real bandage.  We just heard that our granddaughter's bad luck has continued.  She injured her shoulder twice during volley ball season.  She just made HS varsity basketball (as a sophomore) - and was accidentally hit on the face during a game - resulting in a broken nose.  We are waiting to hear if she needs surgery.  I just got this image from iclassygirl (my winnings) - I did not expect to need it this soon.  I colored with Prismas.  I used some Recollections papers, a Martha Stewart punch, a couple of ribbon scraps, glitter,  a rhinestone bauble - and, of course, a bit of a bandage.  (Read my next post for more...)
BTW, I used her school colors.
Sketch:  http://www.sweetsketchwednesday.blogspot.com/
Ribbon:  http://paperprettiesblog.blogspot.com/
Two ribbons:  http://craftyribbonschallenge.blogspot.com/
Across the miles (they live 750 miles away):  http://freshbreweddesigns.blogspot.com/2012/11/fbc-124-across-miles.html

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Christmas #10,11

Here are two more!  I am finding that I am able to make this image work for any number of sketches LOL!!!

The top card: 
Sketch #74 (we had our choice of sketches):   http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/
Christmas: http://crafts4eternity.blogspot.com/
The second card:
Sketch:  http://classygirlmusings.blogspot.com/search/label/challengeshttp://classygirlmusings.blogspot.com/search/label/challenges
CAS - the image is stamped on cs cut slightly smaller than the base.  The sentiment is from an older SU angel set.  I wove narrow ribbon through the Martha Stewart trellis punched piece.  For the sketch, I used a corner embossing folder from Cuttlebug. -  for:  http://www.clearlyistamp.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Clearly%20Inspired%20Challenge



Christmas #9

I finished one more Christmas card!  This is in gold (from a gift bag) and blue - the dark blue cs has white flecks that remind me of a starry sky.
Sketch: http://tuesdaymorningsketches.blogspot.com/
Christmas with no red or green:  http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.com/
Any http://partytimetuesdays.blogspot.com/

Friday, November 30, 2012

Masculine Birthday

I need to add some masculine cards to my stash.  This image by Rubber Cafe is one I like a lot.  The sentiment is the library stamp from 7Gypsies.  Dp is Paper Pizazz, and the twine from PizzazzAplenty.  I used a button die - I struggle to find "embellishments" for the guys!\
Sketch:  http://sweetstopsketches.blogspot.com/
Colors (my eye had trouble seeing some of them so I hope I found the right ones):  http://critterchallengeblog.blogspot.com/
Any but Christmas:  http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com/
Any:  http://partytimetuesdays.blogspot.com/

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Christmas#8

Are you tired of my Christmas cards yet?  I do have trouble making all of mine - and usually end up sending several "store bought" cards - I prefer using the same image so I do not have to remember for next year!  Since I am making them anyway, it is a good way to meet some of the challenges - though I like some results much better than others.  BTW, this is the last "big" silhouette for me!   The DP I am using is from a stack called Faith by Paper Studio - much of it can be used for other subjects as well.  The downside is that there is no blue.  If you are wondering about counting the cards - there are a few others in my SCS gallery!
Sketch:  http://sundaysketchandstamp.blogspot.com/
The star in the night sky:  http://crafts4eternity.blogspot.com/
Die cuts:  http://christmasstampin.blogspot.com/

CAS Sympathy

I hope you can see this.  I usually run from CAS designs, but when I saw the photo challenge here:
  http://dianamlarson.blogspot.com/2012/11/dlart-thankful-thursday-challenge_15.html ,  I was immediately inspired to use this embossed piece.  Because it is large, there is not much space for anything else on an A2 card.  I used my sister in law's folder, and added a sentiment from Paper Inspirations.  The Nestie is Labels4, and I added sheer white ribbon I get at Dollar Tree.  It does not show up well, but the main panel and tag are pale lavender, and the mat is purple.

Golfer's birthday

I have a lot of friends who golf, and many of them will appreciate the rest of the sentiment,,,"when the score gets too high, stop counting!"
The sentiment is computer generated.  I used the CB Birthday folder, and a Martha Stewart leafy border punch.
This "ugly sweater" challenge is to use ugly DP at the bottom of our stack.  Well, this green dp has been lingering for a while.  The pattern sort of looks like a green peacock - though obviously I have only used portions of it here.  http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com/
The sketch:  http://thepaperplayers.blogspot.com/2012/11/paper-players-challenge-123-jaydees.html

Shabby Birthday Card

I have seen so many vintage cards that I admire so much.  This started out to be vintage, but I think the result is more shabby chic.  If you have any special techniques for vintage cards, feel free to include a link.  This clock is from a set called Nostalgique, by EK Success - a set I have had a long time but rarely use.  The sentiment is Whiff of Joy.  I have no books I want to cut up, so I used a book review pamphlet.  The Argyle embossing is on DCWV metallic cs, and the die cuts are Nesties and Lavalier Circle from Memory Box.  I am not sure what to call the small strip - it is from a box of scraps I acquired at a store closing.  It is almost like a thin hand made paper with embedded bits of fiber, and provided a perfect embellishment for this card.
The sketch:  http://chocolatecoffeecards.blogspot.com/
Neutrals, with twine and a sentiment, inspired by a photo:  http://www.theshabbytearoom.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Bright birthday

Inside, the verse reads:  "Happy birthday to the fitness queen from the workout wonder!"  I think it goes with the image, right???  It is an image I have had in my WishRAK stash.  I colored with prismas.  DP is DCWV, and the sentiment is Whiff of Joy.
The sketch:  http://ibsichallenge.com/
The colors:http://catchthebugblog.blogspot.com/search/label/challenge

Two sympathy cards


This is another image I got at creatwithtlc.com   I think it works well for CAS cards - which I rarely do as they are pretty much out of my comfort zone.  For the first one, I used a dark grey backing and corner punch - but do not like it as well.
The second is my re-do for this challenge:  http://marksfinestpapers.blogspot.com/
I used a dark teal and shades of grey for the two colors.  Ribbon, rhinestones, and glitter on the flowers are the three embellishments - and this time I did limit myself to one layer!  I used a pastel chalk pencil for coloring, and an embossed frame from Cuttlebug.

Old Age

I recently discovered a source of digital images I know I will use often.  This blog is not meant to promote any product, but I hope no one minds if I let you know about this source.  I got this image via the blog createwithtlc.com; it is called Learning from Old Age.  I know that my friends will enjoy the humor.
I used shades of lavender and grey; flowers from Petaloo, and vintage lace that came in a box at an estate sale. The DP is Paper Pizazz. The image printed this way, with the lavender strip and shaded image.
The sketch:  http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/

High Hopes ~ Guest designer

I was honored to be selected guest designer for the High Hopes challenge this week.  My supply of High Hopes stamps is limited, so I wanted to use this verse.  I see the reproduction did not come out very well.
Since the verse says there is an angel by your side, I added the angel image (an older SU stamp) at the back.  I placed it in the center for viewing when the card holder is removed.  In retrospect, I should have placed it more to the side.
 I made the card holder with my own pattern.  I cut the card stock (double sided cs from Costco) 1/4 inch larger than needed, and twice as long as the gift card, with a bit extra at the top.  I folded the piece lengthwise, leaving the extra quarter inch as shown above.  I trimmed the extra quarter inch off the "back" of the holder, then folded the excess from the front and glued.  Careful not to glue the top!!!  I added the strip of lace - I had a piece the exact length I needed in my scraps.
The sentiment panel is lightly sponged, with half pearls added.  This is made as a card, with a verse on the inside as well.  I will probably make some more of these - including some to hold (folded) checks for the grandkids.  Or maybe we should decide on gift cards this year???
Here is the High Hopes challenge site, including this week's challenge to make a gift box or card holder.  what great ideas you will find.
http://highhopesstamps.blogspot.com/

Monday, November 26, 2012

Peacock colors

I wanted to use my JustRite "Smile" stamps - only to discover that the wooden stamper has gone AWOL, along with my favorite sentiment from the set.  I experimented with using an acrylic block - the result is that only the outer rim of the border made an impression, but I think I managed to make it work.  I used Spica pens to color the border, and added some sparkly jewels to add to the jewel tone/peacock look.
The DP is K&Company, and I have dark blue bg cs.
Sketch:  http://willowsketchiechallenge.blogspot.com/
Peacock/jewel colors:  http://justritestampers.typepad.com/justrite-inspiration/justrite-friday-challenge/
Any, with an encouraging sentiment:  http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/

Happy 75th

This is such a fun image by Gina K.  Accessories:   pink ribbon, Petaloo flowers with added crystals, CB happy birthday embossing folder and Olivia numbers, Nesties ovals, Prismas for coloring, DCWV dp
Sketch:  http://www.sweetsketchwednesday.blogspot.com/
Pink, aqua and brown:  http://www.trimmiescraftchallenge.blogspot.com/
Numbers:  http://doyoustackup.blogspot.com/

Christmas #6

I have seen so many gorgeous sponged and chalked back grounds, especially the sky, so I have tried one.  I used SU Brilliant Blue and Night of Navy chalk.  I outlined the star (SU Bitty Bolds) with a gold Spica pen. The sentiment is Studio G.
I was inspired by one of the examples here, and I used the sketch:  http://annabellestamps.blogspot.com/
A challenge for Clean & Simple:  http://paperprettiesblog.blogspot.com/
And for anything:  http://stamp-n-doodle.blogspot.co.uk/
Use chalk:  http://chalk-ah-lot.blogspot.com/

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Christmas #5

I discovered I have very little in traditional red and green for Christmas, as I have been using burgundy and gold tones.  I am not sure this plaid fits, but it will do!  The image is from an unmarked cube.  I added green with a Spica pen, and some glitter.  The embossing folder is CB;s snowflakes.
Sketch:   http://skippingstonesdesign.com/
Traditional Christmas (red and green):  http://whimsyinspires.blogspot.com/
                                                     http://delightfulsketches.blogspot.com/
                                                     http://sirstampalotchallenge.blogspot.com/ 
Ribbon and pearls (white pearls did not look right, so I used pale green pearl like rhinestones!!):                                 http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Christmas #4

DP is from The Paper Studio ("Faith" collection); image is my unknown unmounted rubber stamp.  The ribbon and half pearls are Pizzazz Aplenty.  I still have lots of Christmas cards to make!
Using Kraft cs (embossed with CB Snowflakes): http://thekraftjournal.blogspot.com/2012/11/make-it-monday-with-kraft-outlet.html
Sketch:  http://seemsalittlesketchy.blogspot.com/http

Friday, November 23, 2012

Christmas

I was hoping I could do the 20 card challenge from Card a Day on Splitcoaststampers, but lots of events have taken my time.  I will start over in a few days!  This dp is the same Faith collection (Paper Studio) I have been using.
Challenge for a holiday card:  http://www.ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Shining%20the%20Light%20Challenge
I used this sketch as a base, but after a couple of interruptions I forgot just how I intended to complete it - I think I stayed true enough to the sketch:  http://sundaysketchandstamp.blogspot.com/

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Tasty Grapes

The Sweet Stop sketch challenge has a twist - show a tasty treat.  I have several cake stamps, but in the process of moving things around between the RV and the house, one of my boxes seems to have taken a hike.  However, I find a bunch of grapes a most delectable treat!  I sponged the image with chalk, and should have left well enough alone.  I used a garnet Spica pen to color the grapes - not a good idea.  The Spica ink was a bit too dark, and covered the lines marking the individual grapes.  IRL they do not look too bad, but on the picture it looks more like a blob.  They are nice and sparkly! 
The image is SU Provencal - another favorite set I seldom have occasion to use.  The sentiment is from a set by Recollections.  The DP is by K&Company, and the flower Petaloo.  The pink layer is from the Textile embossing folder (CB).
The Craft Your Passion challenge is to use scraps.  I could pretty well include all of my cards.  Specifically, all layers of the small squares and the sentiment are from my "little scraps" stash. 
Sketch, with the tasty twist:  http://sweetstopsketches.blogspot.com/
Use scraps:   http://www.craftyourpassionchallenges.blogspot.com/

Glittery Get Well

May you have a HAPPY AND BLESSED THANKSGIVING!  Most of you are gathered with family and friends, and enjoying a festive meal.  We had family gatherings a few days ago, and decided to have our own Thanksgiving today - united in spirit with our scattered family members and friends.  We had a very meaningful Thanksgiving worship service at our church last evening, and DH is helping a lot with today's meal.  We really like the leftovers, so that is not a problem for us.  Bring on the turkey sandwiches and then turkey soup!!!
I am so far behind in card making so maybe will get caught up a bit!  I need to replenish my stash, so this get well card was needed.  IRL the sentiment is really much more visible.
I have a glittery frame and swirl.  The die cut is from Spellbinders.  DP and CS by Recollections, and the sentiment an unmounted unnamed one I have had a long time.
Sketch: http://sentimentalsundays.blogspot.com/
Use glitter:  http://craftycatzweeklychallenge.blogspot.com/
A get well card:   http://sentimentalsundays.blogspot.com/

Friday, November 16, 2012

Give Thanks v.2

This card is a look at the past.  The stamp set is an older one from SCS.  I do not own it, but was the recipient of several of the images - it is a great set.  I also went back to coloring with Brilliance inks and an aqua brush - seems like I do not use them much any more, but I like the look of the silver or platinum for the bucket. The red of the apples may not be exactly what we think of as a fall color, but to me apples are fall!  When we lived in Nebraska we would look forward to the appearance of apples (from Nebraska City) each autumn.
The cs is from AMuse, and the half pearls and twine are Pizzazz Aplenty.
I started with the sketch:  http://sundaysketchandstamp.blogspot.com/
There are several challenges still out there using a Thanksgiving theme and/or colors:
      http://amusestudiochallengeblog.blogspot.com/
      http://shoppingourstash.blogspot.com/
      http://delightfulsketches.blogspot.com/
      http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Give thanks

This adorable birdie looks like he is singing out his thanks!  All stamps are Unity, and the Ribbon is Martha Stewart.
Sketch #2:  http://chickchallengeswithippity.blogspot.com/
Be thankful:  http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com/
Give thanks:  http://sentimentalsundays.blogspot.com/ 
Thanks:   http://simonsaysstampschallenge.blogspot.com/

Christmas 20 in 20 days #2

I used a Just Rite sentiment as well as the tag dies (2 of them) from the Every Day Tag Making Kit.  It is backed with the CB Snowflake dry embossing.  I added a bit of blue and silver embossing, and some glitter on the tag.
Christmas, using a Just Rite stamp and dies:  http://justritestampers.typepad.com/justrite-inspiration/justrite-friday-challenge/

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Christmas

The card a day blog group (SCS) has a challenge to do 20 Christmas cards in 20 days (if I recall correctly) - I need that!  Here is #1 for that mini challenge.  This is the stamp I will use for most of our cards, and I have forgotten where I got this unmounted stamp.  For some reason, it is very difficult to get a solid image.  I added reinker to the Memento pad.  I have decided some of this will have to look like shading or light reflection on the silhouette!
The DP is from a stack called Faith, by the Paper Studio.
Sketch:  http://willowsketchiechallenge.blogspot.com/
Christmas:  http://christmasstampin.blogspot.com/
Favorite Christmas stamp (well, it is my fave this year!):  http://2sisterschallengeblog.blogspot.com/

Fall Thanks

This looked much better in my mind than as a finished card.  Oh well...   I used bits of DaisyD dp that I have had for several years - I like it a lot but it always looks like fall, and I do not make many fall cards. The rick rack is true vintage - I got it at a yard sale and the package is marked $.25!  The flower is by Petaloo.  I embossed the gold cs with a fall leaf folder by Sizzix.
Favorite things - I have so many.  Here they are represented by the dry embossing (I doubt I could create many cards without the Cuttlebug and now the Vagabond!!); fall colors, patterned paper, and being thankful:  http://dutchdare-cardchallenges.blogspot.com/
The sketch:  http://www.sweetsketchwednesday.blogspot.com/
Giving thanks:  http://www.wordartwednesday.blogspot.com/
Fall colors (espresso, cajun, mustard - my substitutes):  http://sundaystamps.blogspot.com/

Birthday candle


I like having a few extra cards in my stash, so I try to make them somewhat universal.  The label on this stamp (I have had for a LONG time) says Oogaloo.  Anyone heard of it?  The DP is from an older DCWV Summer Stack.  The sentiment oval is popped up.
Stripes:  http://chocolatecoffeecards.blogspot.com/
Sketch:  http://cutecardthursday.blogspot.com/
Candles:  http://www.drsdesignsblog.blogspot.com/

Sunday, November 11, 2012

White for Christmas

It is time to get more serious about completing Christmas cards!  I like this CB embossing frame, but seldom think to use it.  I do not have any fancy ovals, so the scalloped one had to do.  The sentiment is computer generated.  (What looks like a smudge is really a sheer ribbon and bow.)
White card:  http://www.ourdailybreaddesignsblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Shining%20the%20Light%20Challenge
Sketch (rotated)   http://seemsalittlesketchy.blogspot.com/