Experimenting with Tri-fold Nativity by AI

This uses a new set, Nativity,  from Art Impressions - a prize that I just won.  It includes 4 stamps and 2 dies.  You see the 3 layers in the view above - the main stable and sentiment, the inner manger, and the baby revealed in the last view.  The two dies create openings to show the inner layers.
I used chalk and stencils for a background - in subtle colors.

Challenges:  
Christmas:   Diecuttindivas
                     Modsquadchallenge 
                     Cutedaisymay
                      Sasayakiglitter
Inspiration:   Pinspirationalchallenges
"On" (star on roof):  ABC Christmaschallenge 
Any:   Createsandmakes
            ttcrd.blogspot 
           Simonsaysstampblog Wednesday
           Crafting-with-friends

The Crafter's Cafe challenge #198 - Lots of Layers

 

This is my card for challenge #198 at the Crafter's Cafe.  Please join us during the next two weeks. The theme is lots of layers, and this sketch is perfect.  In some spots, there are 9 layers.  I used papers from my stash, and a piece that is probably upholstery trim for the corner squares.  That adds some nice dimension.  The image, Drummer Boy, is from one of our sponsors - Cute as a Button. The sentiment is a part of the image.

Sketch:  Sweetsketchwednesday2

"o" - layer ON layer:   ABC Christmas Challenge

Christmas 2018

I am determined to upcycle several of the Christmas cards I have been saving.  Unfortunately, I am also addicted to sketch challenges, and many of the sketches do not work well with the shapes of cards I have.  So when there is one that works, I want to jump at the chance!  This is a sort of spotlight technique - after I cut the oval I decided that I could use the rest of the image for a background - bonus!!!  The card base is actually a double sided piece of cs  The stars are punched, and I added gold cord.
Sketch:   Tuesday Morning Sketches
"on" the snow:   ABC Christmas Challenge
 Christmas in July:    Whoopsie Daisy
                                   Ikesworldchallenge 
                                 Kitty Bee\
                                  Star stampz.
Any:   12monthsofchristmas
 

Beccy's 2017 Christmas challenge "A"

I am planning to enter as many cards as I can in Beccy's alphabet challenge.  This is "A" for angel.
Sketch:   Your Next Stamp
Beccy's  Christmas "A":  Beccys Place
Any/Christmas:  Angies Digital Stamps
Add a sentiment:   Dream Valley
W for white:  ABC Christmas Challenge
                         Simon Says Stamp Wednesday

TeaPot party for CalVets

This week the cards from SplitCoastStampers Tea Pot Party will go to CalVets.  They give cards to resident veterans.
The deer is die cut from a piece of card stock prepared with a faux, iced leather technique found here 
The die is by Poppy Stamps, and the  branches are Cheery Lyn dies.
Sketch:.  Tuesday Morning
Leaves:   Dies R Us
Christmas:   Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Challenge2.
                      ABC Christmas Challenge  

Christmas 2017, 10-21

This lovely DP came in a grab bag of supplies - no labels!  The stars are acrylic stickers; the stamp - Stampalicious; die cut added to the corner.  The bas cs is dark green.
Sketch:   Stella Says Sketch
Leaves (on dp):  Double D
Nature (tree):   Penny Black at Allsorts 
Creatures:  Southern Girls
Any Christmas:  Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Challenge2
                             ABC Christmas Challenge  

Christmas 2017 - recycled

I am continuing with my personal challenge of recycling at least a few of the manycards I have been accumulating over the years.  Sorry the colors are not good - the DP is more of a teal and not as purple as it appears.  The dies came in an unmarked package.
Sketch:   Tuesday Morning Sketches
Christmas:   ABC Christmas
                      12 Months of Christmas
Any:   Digi Choosday
           Word Art Wednesday
         

Christmas Blessings 2017 - stampmommas fall fest

This will be my first entry in this year's splitcoaststampers Falliday Fest - there will be 30 challenges, and we have until the end of Oct. to complete them.  I already know I will not attempt all 30 this year, but I will do several, and probably multiples of some of them.  This one required the word Blessings for a Christmas or fall card.  You will see more I am sure.  What are my blessings?  Too many to count.  However, the ones that have especially touched me recently are faith, family and friends.  My husband I, and our families, have experienced a fair amount of adversity recently,   Hubby's back pain has not responded well to treatment, and he was recently diagnosed with Parkinsons.  At the moment our son-in-law is hospitalized as a result of a serious stroke.  At the least he faces a very long recovery.  You can see why I am blessed to have faith, family and friends for support.
This Nativity die is unnamed; the Blessings if from Cheery Lynn.  The ribbon is metallic, and the base is dark blue.  Maybe I should cut the dies with the same blue cs rather than black.  What do you think?
Sketch    VLV Sketches.
Unlimited:   ABC Christmas Challenge
Christmas:    Simon Says Stamp
Any (option - CAS):  Crafty Catz 
Any:    Word Art Wednesday

Sparkly recycled Christmas card 2017

I am finally succeeding in recycling some old Christmas cards - though doing so is definitely not a time saver for me!  This image and sentiment are from two different cards.  There is glitter highlighting the image, and I added some shiny metallic stars.  The cream cs is Shimmery Champagne by Recollections; the green DP is from a DCWV pad.  I used Spellbinder ovals and Nestabilities Majestic Elements ovals. as well as a Cuttlebug border die and cream ribbon.

 

Sketch:   Sweet Sketch Wednesday2
SSW2 Sketch:     ABC Christmas
Stars:     Inky Chicks
Any/dies:   Cuttlebug Mania 
Christmas:    Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Challenge
Pattern Paper:     Cafty Hazelnuts Patterned Paper  


 

Christmas 2017

Time to get serious about Christmas cards!
Image -PSX; Sentiment - SU; Deep red, white, gold cs; gold cord, sheer gold ribbon, Cheery Lynn pine branch die; QuickCuts Life Style Craft Vine embossing folder.
Sketch:  Sketch Saturday
Christmas in July:    Deep Ocean 
N is for New - ribbon;  O is for Old - stamp:  ABC Christmas Challenge
Any:   Word Art Wednesday 

Same colors and image - glittery Christmas

 I use the same image and similar colors for most of our Christmas cards - and am always happy to find a sketch to  use!
Image - QKR Stampede;  Cuttebug snowflake embossing folder; star stickers; silver glitter; silver strip; shimmery silver cs.  I hope you can see the glitter scattered over the snowflakes - and elsewhere.
Sketch:   Sweet Sketch Wednesday2
Glitter:     Sparkle n Sprinkle
Shine:      Simon Says Stamp Monday
V=vertical:    ABC Christmas Challenge
Snowflakes:   Crafty Catz
                       Pink Gem Challenge    
Christmas:   Digistamps4joy-
                      Imagine That Digi Stamp

Christmas with a touch of gold

Image- QKR Stampede; Stampourri sentiment; shimmery cream and blue cs; oval dies, metallic ribbon, star brad, snowflake embossing folder.
Sketch:   Mojo Monday
Snowflakes:  Gem Challenge
Get ready for Christmas:  Art Impressions
I see a Star:   City Crafter
Touch of Gold:   Mod Squad
Vertical:    ABC Christmas Challenge

SCS Falliday Fest - Kelli Jo's snowman

I am quite sure this is the last card I need to do all 30 cards in the SplitcoastStampers Falliday Fest.  Our challenge is to build our own snowman.  This is way out of the box for me!  I used the snowflake embossing folder.  To follow the sketch, I added some curling ribbon - maybe you can imagine icicles or melting snow!  I used circle dies to cut the snowman and his hat.  Gems, washi tape, and an orange carrot nose complete the look.
Sketch:    House That Stamps Built
Snowflakes:   Gem Challenge
Vertical:   ABC Christmas Challenge  
Get ready for Christmas:  Crafting by Designs
Die Cuts:    Crafty Catz
Any:  Simon Says Stamp Wednesday
           Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Challenge

Christmas in Blue and white

Image and sentiment - QKR Stampede; snowflake embossing folder. Cheery Lynn "Little Flowers" die, Star punch, gold metallic cs; dotted sticker paper. (I hope the embossing and "little flowers" make you think of stars!!! I need a star embossing folder.
Sketch:    Sketch Saturday
Technique - embossing:   Holly Jolly Challenge
Animal:   Inky Chicks
Fav season - Christmas (winter):   Crafting by Designs 
T - two (blue and gold; 2 printed panels):   ABC Christmas Challenge
Any:    Snowflakes Promise
             Cheery Lynn

Shepherd Boy Christmas

I make most of my Christmas cards using the same image and sentiment, so I enjoy trying different layouts and backgrounds. This non frills version is great for a guy on our list.
Shepherd Boy by QKR; sentiment by Hampton Art; cream ribbon, die cut with hand made paper; Labels 4 dies.  I bought a pack of 25 sheets of this striped cs (Not paper!) at a craft expo for  $1 - but I forget the name of the vendor.  Lots of great deals there!

Sketch:   Sketch Saturday
Neutrals:    Double D Challenges 
Q-Quick Layout:    ABC Christmas Challenge
Masculine:    Aud Sentiments

Christmas 2016

Digi mage from QKR Stampede; Hampton Art sentiment; washi tape, narrow yellow ribbon.

Sketch:  Sketch Saturday
Any:       Tuesday Throwdown
Quick Layout:   ABC Christmas Challenge 

For JoAnn

This is a card I did not want to make.  We have known JoAnn for over 50 years, though distance has separated us for several years.  She was diagnosed with cancer a couple of years ago, and now her condition is worsening.  Please keep JoAnn, her husband and family in your thoughts and prayers.
Update:  We just learned of her passing on June 16.
Stamps by Verve, SU turquoise ink; DP by DCWV (garden Party) - in one of my favorite color combos.  I placed the DP under the solid turquoise frame.  The DP was a left over piece from another project - just barely the right size.
Sketch:   Mojo Monday
Inspiration (colors):   Cupcake Inspirations
"I" for important (friendship):   ABC-challenge
Scraps:   Jo's Scrapshack
Birds:   Dies R Us
Flowers:    Addicted-to-Stamps

Norma is 90 - Step card with Kanban papers

I recently purchased a fairly large pack of papers by Kanban.  They are elegant -  black, gold, cream, white, and I am enjoying finding ways to use them.  I am also trying to discover ways to make step cards, using purchased pre-cut card bases.  (Next, I need to learn how to upload pictures rather than scans!).  For this card, I used a 4.25 x 5.5 piece.  I cut the edge strip on either side, and used for the edge of this card.  The remaining center section provides a background for the butterfly, and is the card that is raised when the step card is displayed.  There were 2 left over 1x1 pieces, and they are on the part that folds under.  I used letter dies for the special greeting at the bottom.  The large butterfly is a part of the Kanban collection.    For the inside - I used a coordinating piece and cut it to fit the inner part.  I used shimmery  cs for the computer generated sentiment. I distressed with Tim Holtz distress ink.  I hope you will let me know what you think.
CHALLENGES:
Winged things:    Fabnfunky
Generations:        Sisterhood of Crafters
Pattern Paper:     Southern Girls
Fancy Folds:         ABC-challenge
Any:                      Word Art     
                               DLart   
                               Inspiration Destination

Inside

New to my stash

I waited a while to get an order of new "stuff" - then have been busy with Valentines and a special order - no time to play with that order!  So I tried here - using a Kanban kid for the butterfly and gold scroll border.  The image is Unity, and I followed their Facebook sketch challenge - though I have not yet figured out exactly how to participate, since I am pretty new to that platform.  I used a dark brown cs, embossed with the Embossalicious happy birthday folder, for the background. 
Challenges entered:  
Animal/bird:     ABC-challenge  (A)
                          Crafty Friends
Any:                  Digi Stamps4joy
                          Through the Craft Room Door

Easter Blessings

My Easter stamp is missing, but I think the Cheery Lynn Blessings die works - this card is for Easter.  The stamp is Cross and Blossoms by Paper Inspirations; I used a strip of shiny metallic gold that I have had for several years, the bg (the Lord's Prayer) is from Faith by Paper Studio; the mat is a shimmery burgundy.  I added a bit of Stickles to the blossoms - you probably can't detect it here.
Sketch:   http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com/
Holiday, with gold item from stash:  http://clearitoutchallenge.blogspot.com/
Sparkle:   http://www.lovesrubberstampschallenges.com/
Center row of Bingo (die cut, free, glitter):  http://papertakeweekly.blogspot.com/
D is for Die Cuts:  http://abc-challenge.blogspot.com.au/
Any:  http://cheerylynndesigns.blogspot.ca/
          http://cuttinandstampinchallenges.blogspot.com/ 
          http://partytimetuesdays.blogspot.ca/
           http://ema-ginationstation.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2014-10-30T00:00:00-05:00&max-results=1