Silhouette Christmas 2018

I tried something new for this card - I used gold sticker strips to add a border to the card.  The left side features rick rac and a couple of gold strips. The silhouette image is a Stampendous stamp and the die cuts are Spellbinders.
Sketch/colors:  Your Next Stamp
Christmas:   Cutitup challenge
                      Dreamvalleychallenges
                      fussyandfancy
"B" = Bethlehem border:  Pennyblackatallsorts 
silhouette, with die cuts:   Die-cut-divas
New to me technique - sticker border :  Pileitonchallenge
 
                       
 

For Iva

Spellbinder die and embossing on cornflower blue; lace, various circle dies; Cheery Lynn butterfly die; unknown floral DP with a cream bg,  silver "pearls"
Sketch:   Verve
Flowers, pearls, lace:   Fussy and Fancy
Cornflower blue and cream, with a butterfly:   Butterfly Spot
Any:   Through the Craft Room Door 
            Digi Choosday
            Lemon Shortbread
            Pammies Inky Pinkies
            Emerald City Crafts  (10 Ch max)

Belated HB, Leah

Our granddaughter was touring Europe on her birthday, so this card will be late.  I thought this castle from the SU set Provencale would be appropriate, though I am not sure whether or not she did see any castles.  I think this is appropriate for "new" challenges as she has been between seasons with her job - working on the activity staff for American riverboat cruises.  She has not yet heard her new assignment..  I used the ink pad to distress the embossing - folder by Lifestyle Crafts.  I am hoping it looks a bit like stone building blocks.  The edges of the image are also distressed.  The Granddaughter sticker is new, and the post mark sticker is from a set I found buried in one of my boxes!
Sketch:   Your Next Stamp
Distressing:   Fussy and Fancy
New:   Crafty Friends
            My Time to Craft
Add sentiment:   Simon Says Stamp Wednesday 
My word - happy thoughts:  Frilly and Funkie
Any:   Word Art Wednesday 
 

Another try for Janet's BDay

I like this version of the Tuesday morning sketch better than the one in the previous post - though I did change the circle to an oval.  Once again, I flipped the design to have the bird facing the center rather than the edge!  The bird is a stamp by SU  - does any one know the set?  I used a gold sticker strip and gold ribbon with my new (yard sale!!) K&Company papers.  The edging is chalked and distressed.
Sketch:  Tuesday Morning Sketches
Distressing:   Tuesday Throwdown 
                        Fussy and Fancy  (10 challenge max)
Birds of a feather:       Simon Says Stamp Monday
New:   Penny Black at Allsorts
Sentiment:   Simon Says Stamp Wednesday
Any:    Crafty Catz

Not so happy with this one

I was disappointed when I put the final touches on this - I did flip the sketch so the bird was facing mid card rather than the edge - does this bother any one else?  But in doing this I misjudged the size of the vertical strip - too much dotted area and not enough of the other patterns.  I plan a re-do.  The bird image was a single stamp from a yard sale - it is SU but I have no idea of the name.  Coloring is with water color pencils.  Papers by Lily of the Valley.   I distressed the edge of the circle and the edges of the papers. The Washi tape strip is from a new roll.
Sketch:  Tuesday Morning Sketches
 Distressed:    Tuesday Throwdown
                        Fussy and Fancy
 New:    Penny Black at Allsorts
Birds of a Feather:   Simon Says Stamp Monday
Colored image:  Hiding in my Craftroom

Final Christmas 2017

I thought I had finished cards for 2017, but here is one more, using the same image I have already used a lot - it is an older freebie on a blog called Beyond the Fringe.  Thank you!  This card is alrady in the mail as of yesterday so I cannot re-do the photo - I just noticed that the gold sticker strips I used along the edge (below the stars) is not visible.  For the integrity of the sketch - they are there!  I printed the inside verse on a sheet of paper, and used the gold cord to hold it in place.
Sketch:  Feeling-sketchy
Inspiration:   House that Stamps Built
Christmas:   Star Stampz 
                      Sinkin Inkers
                      Fussy and Fancy 
                      Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Challenge
                      Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Challenge2
                      Pink Gem  
Spirit of the Season:   Dare 2b Artzy
Red and Green:   Incy Wincy
Pattern Paper:    Crafty Hazelnuts Patterned Paper
Any:     Morgans Artworld 
             C.R.A.F.T.  
             Tuesday Morning Sketches 
              Word Art Wednesday
            

 

Happy 99th birthday

Seems like I am making a lot of birthdays for the 90+ age group!
I used a pre colored digi from TLC - I have had some problems with my eyes and I appreciate having a colored image to use.  Sentiment - QKR Stampede; Paper Studio dp/ Darice butterfly folder, Cuttlebug Swiss dots and numbers; misc. circle dies; Stickles.
Sketch:   Cuttlebug Mania
Spring:    Fussy and Fancy
Wings:    Patties Creations
 Any:      Jo's Scrapshack
               Word Art Wednesday           

Special birthday

A friend asked me to make a card her her sister's 90th birthday - seems like I have done several of these lately.  Must be something about my own age...!!!  I used a stamp that has been collecting dust (not sure it has seen ink before) and I think it will soon be a favorite - I like the black and white look and it lends itself to that.  It is by Fiskars. Watercolor pencils with an aquapen added a bit of color.  The floral embossing is a new (prize) folder by WeR Memory Keepers.  I used some scraps for the stamped panel and the bg as well as the punched butterflies.  A bit of glitter adds sparkle.  The sentiment is by my computer.  What is my favorite tool?  It is certainly my die cut machine - for dies and embossing - I make very few cards without one or the other!
Sketch:   Your Next Stamp
Flowers:   Crafting When we Can
                  Allsorts
                  Morgans Artworld
                  Simon Says Stamp Wednesday 
Butterflies:   Pink Gem
Favorite tool:   Simon Says Stamp Monday
Favorite stamp:   Penny Black at Allsorts
Fancy:   Fussy and Fancy
Any:    Lemon Shortbread
             Digital Delights 
Scraps:    Hiding in my Craftroom 

Special card for Linda

A friend asked me to make a special card for her friend Linda.  Linda needs all of our prayers as she will be undergoing extensive treatment and a long recuperation.  I made the card 4.75x6.25.  The new dark teal cs is embossed with a Darice butterfly embossing folder.  The cs is white core so a bit of white was exposed, but I did sand it a little more.  The butterfly layer is placed under the strips of lace.  The SU image is stamped with teal, and edged with the same ink.  The sentiment is computer generated.  I know most of you are much more imaginative than me, but I made a discovery.  I wanted the sentiment to match the image, but of course the labels1 die is basically square.  I cut the piece with the smallest die, then traced the die at the top and bottom of the tag so I could fussy cut the top and bottom to match the image.  I used Petaloo flowers and Spellbinder Blooms 2 dies with shiny gems for embellishment.  I hope this will cheer Linda.
Sketch:  Cheerful Sketches
U for Under:   Butterfly Spot Challenge
Add butterflies:  Pink Gem
Fussy, fancy:   Fussy and Fancy 
New:    Aloha Friday
Any:     Word Art Wednesday

Tri fold Christmas 2016

I hope you can see the opening at the middle - not sure if this is called a trifold, double gate fold, or???
Image - QKR stampede; sentiment - Hampton Art; glittery star; gold striped sticky paper, blue and shimmery champagne cs.
Sketch:   Tuesday Morning Sketches
More than one ( stamp):    Paper Shelter
More than one fold:   Star Stampz
Special fold:    Fussy and Fancy 
Little animals:    Crafting by Designs 
Christmas Critter:    Simon Says Stamp 
Christmas:    Christmas at Sweet Stampin 
                       C.R.A.F.T.   

HB, Margaret

I thought this would be a fun birthday card for my sister-in-law, a retired teacher.  I got to use a new die from Couture as well as some well used Nesties.  The embossed greeting is a Cuttlebug folder I had forgotten about - enhanced with dark rust ink.  The Dearie Doll image is a pre-colored free digi.  The card is 4.5 x 6.5.  IRL the colors are salmon and rust.
Sketch:    Verve Sketches
School:     C.R.A.F.T.
                   Aloha Friday
Teacher's Pet:   Mod Squad
Fly away:    Fussy and Fancy
F for feathers, fly:   Polkadoodle 
At least two dies:   Allsorts
Birthday:   Die cuttin Divas
Dies:    Jo's Scrapshack

  

SCS Dare to Get Dirty - jbgreendawn - birthday

This is another entry in the Splitcoaststampers Dare to Get Dirty challenge.  I think I am going to get to complete all 40!  This challenge is by Stacy, jbgreendawn - originally posted in SCS Aug. 6.   Flowers are by All Night Media, and the sentiment by Inkadinkado - it looks like flowers ere picked during a walk in the garden: 
 Sketch:  Watercooler
Garden:    Fussy and Fancy
Flowers:    Crafters Cafe
Inspiration:   Cupcake Inspirations
                        Pinspirational 
Colors (pink, green, blue, cream)  Your Next Stamp

Christmas 2016 - 3

Image:  QKR Shepherd boy;  DP - Faith by Paper Studio; gold glitter cs;  punched star; Cheery Lynn branch die cut; gold ribbon:
Sketch:    Sweet Sketch Wednesday2
Christmas:   Cheery Lynn Designs
                       Happy Little Stampers
                       Fussy and Fancy
                       C.R.A.F.T.
                       Deep Ocean
                       Kitty Bee 
Any:               DLArt

Christmas 2016

Addicted to Stamps

I have not yet decided on the image to use for our Christmas cards for this year, but it maybe this great shepherd boy (QKR digis).  I prefer to use mostly the same image, and for me simple is best!  This layout works well, but there will be other sketches out there to use!  I am just not sure DH will go for the non-traditional colors, but I like this striped paper!  The tabs are a glittery gold ribbon, and the star is punched from glitter paper.  I edged the image layers with Memento London Fog ink. The cs is shimmery Champagne from Recollection.
CHALLENGES:  
Sketch #2:   Verve Sketches
All lined up:   Frilly and Funkie
Stripes:     Come and Get It 
Christmas:     Deep Ocean
                        C.R.A.F.T. 
                        Fussy and Fancy
Holiday:          Addicted to Stamps
Any:                Word Art Wednesday
Song "Do you hear what I hear...  said the shepherd boy..."   Holly Jolly
                        

Happy 62nd Anniversary

Our friends are celebrating their 62nd anniversary - truly an occasion to commemorate.  Recently Mary Ellen Smith at Dearie Dolls posted an image of this couple - seated at opposite ends of the couch!  I asked if she could get them to pose again, seated closer!  She responded with two additional versions, including this one.  Perfect!  Mary Ellen, you are so great to respond to individual requests.
Recipe:  Darice embossing folder (hearts), some purple lace, floral FunTape, die cuts for letters and numbers; 7Gypsies library stamp for sentiment.
CHALLENGES:    
Sketch:   Tuesday Morning Sketches
Celebrations:   Get Creative
Lace:      Fussy and Fancy 
Flora:   Smon Says Stamp Monday Challenge
Any:    Art Impressions
             Jo's Scrapshack 

Baby Card - Design Team card for Eureka Stamps challenge 187

I thought it would be a good idea to have a generic card in my stash - hence the "neutral" yellow tones!  This adorable Baby Zebra and the sentiment with the great font are from the digis available at Eureka Stamps - they also come in the more traditional rubber stamps.  This week the challenge is to create a baby card.  The challenge is open through Sunday, and you may enter a maximum of 3 times.  The papers, button and Washi tape are from my stash.  The image is colored with a dark grey Prisma.
I used the sketch from Paper Craft Crew, but I am entering too many challenges to participate in theirs.
CHALLENGES ENTERED:
Make your mark (color):  Addicted to Stamps
Button:                                The Paper Shelter  
Pastel:                                  Fussy and Fancy 
Yellow:                                 Fresh Brewed Designs
Baby:                                    Crazy Challenge
                                              Crafting-with-dragonflies
Any:                                      Crafting in a Beautiful Mess   
                                              Crafting-with-friends                 
                                              Crazy4challenges 
                                              Creative Moments  
                                              Little Claires Designs 
                                              Crafty Sentiments
                                              Crafty Gals Corner
                                              Artistic Inspirations
                                              Lemon Shortbread
                                              The House that stamps built 
                                              Inspiration Destination 
                                              Simon Says Stampblog Wednesday  
                                              DLArt

HB, Deb

Since our daughter has declined to quit having birthdays (each one she has makes me feel older LOL!) it will be good to remember her special day.  This year it falls on Easter Sunday - a double celebration.  They are planning a visit in June so we will not be together at this time.  This is an image from Beccy's place, and the sentiment is a gift (RAK) I just received from a generous friend, Valerie.  It is from a set called the Stamps of Life.  I used some DP that was also a gift from another friend - I have had it for a couple of years and I am sure she had it much longer..  It is double sided by Craft n Crafting'.  I added a bg of a bird folder by the Paper Studio, and a tiny punched bird - headed for  home!   Shiny gems complete the card.
Sketch:   Viva la Verve #1
Any:        Crafty Sentiments
Green:    Creatalicious Challenges 
Spring:    Digitally Sweet Challenges
Wings:     Fussy and Fancy
Bird:         Avenue 613 
Paper from stash:   Clear it out Challenge
Special female:        Crafty Calendar
Any:                         Julia Spiri

Eureka challenge #183 - paper piecing

The challenge this week at Eureka stamps is paper piecing.  This is a fun way to add texture and a bit of dimension.  It is also a great way to create a different look for items of clothing as well as other images.  I have learned that it is important to choose patterns carefully - I find that dainty patterns work best for me.  I used two different patterned papers - for the dresses, the ribbons in the hats, and the backgrounds. I used markers to add a touch of color to the flowers on the hats. I used a darker golden yellow for the mats, and a sheer gold ribbon to add a final touch - along with the shiny gems.  Here is another tip if this is a new technique for you - color the rest of the image (the part next to the pieced layer) before adhering the DP in order to achieve a well blended edge.  (I'll bet you can figure out how I know that!)  I recently read a tip to use Stickles around the edge of the main image - I tried it here, though you cannot really see it well on the screen.  It does a lot to highlight the image.  I lightly sponged the image and sentiment, and distressed the edge of the circle to give a bit of a distressed look.
The new Eureka image I used is Best Friends, and the new sentiment is also from Eureka.  It is a font I really like.
Sketch:                Share Joy Challenge
Spring (I used colors and the pretty dresses to represent spring):
                             Digitally Sweet 
                             Fresh Brewed Designs
                             Crafty Sentiments Designs
 Bingo:     Row 1 - sentiment, flowers on hat, gems:
                             The Paper Shelter  
Bingo - Row 2 -  distressing, new image, texture, ribbon: 
                             Fussy and Fancy
Touchy, feely:      Simon Says Stamp Wedneday
Ladies:                 Digi Choosday
Child:                   Fan- tastic Tuesday
Sparkle:               Crafting for all Seasons
Layers:                 Frilly and Funkie 
                              Craftin Desert Divas     
Any:                      Lemon Shortbread
                              Jo's Scrapshack 

Black, white, red

Recipe:   Various DP & CS;  Spellbinders Majestic elements (oval dies); unknown digi; Petaloo glittery flowers, shiny gems; Marvy Butterfly punch; gel pens, Pizzazz Aplenty dragonfly brad;  glitter.  Note - I added a bit of glitter for each leaf/flower I colored - before the ink dried.  Just enough glitter adhered to add a bit of shimmer. Sorry, I know it does not show on the screen.
CHALLENGES ENTERED
Sketch:                                          VLV Sketches #2
Black, white, red, flower, heart:  Fussy and Fancy
Use red:                                          Dies r us Challenge
Butterfly and g for glitter:           Butterfly Spot Challenge
Sparkle and bling:                        Dream Valley Challenges
Any:                                               The Sisters of Craft
                                                        Lemon Shortbread

Blue & white thank you

I will have several versions of favorite blue and white cards - for a neighbor.  They are thank you's for kindness shown at the death of her father.  I feel that a more tailored card is suitable for that occasion - I like the white embossing with the blue.  This one has Cuttlebug Swiss dots and Darice butterflies teamed with Stampin Up Reverse prints. 
Sketch:                  Cheerful Sketches
Fav. color combo: Aloha Kitty Bee Challenges
Monochrome:        Fussy and Fancy
                                Crafters Cafe
Embossing:            Frilly and Funkie 
Any:                        Inspiration Destination