PTI's 2009 Holiday Tag Collection: Mistletoe

A quick/easy little Christmas card using Papertrey Ink's 2009 Holiday Tag Collection's mistletoe tag stamped in Palette True Black on PTI's White CS and cut/embossed with a Spellbinders' circle die. Ranger's White Opal Liquid Pearls highlight the berries and the tag is backed with Bazzill's Emerald City Bling CS punched with Paper Shapers 2" Scalloped Circle. I used Copic YG67 to color the leaves and my (formerly white) ribbon, which matches the scalloped circle IRL, though not in my photo. My background is black suede paper run through the Wizard with my Cuttlebug Dotted Swiss embossing folder. That's it -- hope your Holiday cardmaking and giftmaking are going well for all of you!!!

TEBBLS Challenge #11

Woo-Hoo -- my LAST challenge for TEBB #11! Really, it's been a blast & now it will be fun to see who wins each & every one! So exciting! Never done ANYTHING like this before; hope it's a hit because I just might do it again -- if there's a next time. I feel bad because I own NONE of Taylor's stamps yet, but hope that changes in the near future! I thought it appropriate to do this one last, as I KNEW I'd be DISTRESSED myself -- I only had about 4 hours sleep last night. Even though I often distress edge elements on my cards to make them "stand out", it's not something I'm very comfortable with or skilled at, that's for sure! For this final card I've used an Anna Griffin stamp, Strathmore watercolor paper and SEI's Windsor DP and EK Success punch, as well as Ranger's Antique Linen ink for distressing. Because is turned out rather subtle in color, I thought it an appropriate Sympathy card & it's always good to have one of those on hand. Whew -- I'm tired!!! LOL!

NOTE: It's after 9 PM here so I cannot get a decent photo at all; will reload a new photo in the morning light - hope that's okay?!!!

TEBBSH Challenge #9

Shabby Chic is a tough one for me to pull off, but here's my attempt for TEBB Challenge #9. My sweet friend, Gwen, had used tiny roses like these on a teapot card that I loved, so when I found these recently on clearance at Michaels, I had to have them to duplicate the look from her card. I have been borrowing her PTI Tea for Two stamp set for so long she's probably wondering if she'll EVER get it back! LOL! I just adore this set & must buy my own soon! So, with a little help from flowery Anna Griffin paper from my stash, a Provo Craft Textile Embossing Folder, some lace, pearls & sequin trim, my card was solidified. I know a couple ladies that I think will appreciate my efforts.

CASEd Birthday Card

My dear friend, Gwen, gave me permission to copy and post this gorgeous card, which is one she created for our other dear friend, Ilene, for her birthday this year. I have a special lady who has an upcoming birthday and need several cards for people to send to her, so I knew she'd love this! What woman wouldn't?!!! ;-)
If you love this card, go here and vote for Gwen's glitter card in the EK Success contest!!! It's HER card, not mine -- she's the one who's unbelievably talented in envisioning so many wonderful creations and I'd love to see her win!!! ;-) You can check out her awesome blog here. (Many of you already know that she got me into blogging.)
Paper: Strathmore Cold Press Watercolor paper for the card; Anna Griffin's Lavender DP & solid lavender paper; purple cardstock from stash
Stamp: Stampin'Up
Embellishments: DeNami's Lavender Frost Sparklets glitter; ribbon, pin & beads
Tools: Spellbinder's Wizard & Scalloped Oval Nesties

Anna Griffin Sympathy Cards

I can't seem to get a photo of this first card that will do it justice, but besides operator error, I'm blaming it on the vellum! Hee-Hee!
I'm going through some older cards as well as "card starters", my name for a stamped image that I start out with which ends up in the "pile" and may or may not become an actual card. I tend to not throw things away because it seems shortly after I do toss something, that's when I know exactly the "perfect" way I could have used it! I decided to finish off the first card by adding a sheer nylon ribbon. I then heated the ribbon briefly with my embossing gun to "curl" the ends and added the pearl. For the second card I simply added the cream ribbon and a button from my button box.
Oftentimes I forget about a really great idea to give a card just the finishing touch it needs, as in the ribbon idea here, which is one I learned years ago. I really like it and the way these cards turned out. I'm so glad I didn't throw these "starts" in the trash, as I now have two nice sympathy cards ready for a difficult time when I'll need them and might not have time or feel creative.
Papers: Blue Cardstock; Vellum
Stamps: Anna Griffin Repousse Background and phrase
Embellishments: Blue Nylon Ribbon by Europa Imports; Woven "Dancer" Ribbon by Offray; Gartner Studios Pearl brads

Anna Griffin Ornate Medallions

A simple card using Anna Griffin's medallion stamps on a denim blue cardstock which I think could be used for any occasion -- male or female. I purposely didn't dress it up any more as I think I'll send this to Cards for Heroes and it might be suitable for more situations.

Thanks for stopping by!!! ;-)

Paper: Heavyweight Denim Blue Cardstock/Various Blue Cardstocks

Stamps: Anna Griffin Ornate Medallions Background/Medallion Motif