Handmade Christmas Cards from Friends Near & Far

A gorgeous bevy of handmade Christmas cards sent by several fabulous friends, some I've never even met "in person", but they're still BFFs to me!!! I always like how Allison (Stampin'WhenICan) says PSFs (Pretend Stamping Friends) -- makes me laugh! These ladies are truly REAL friends in every sense of the word, as they've done so many kind things for me even though I've never met two of them -- really tugs at my heart strings! Who ever would have thought a little ole blog could bring so much joy into our lives -- I have my nearby sweet friend, Gwen, to thank for that every day!!! All these wonderful ladies are sooo very talented: clockwise from top: Ilene, Kelly, Jak, Gwen, Deva!!!

PTI December Blog Hop: Holiday Inspiration

Our dear friends from MN had us over for Christmas Eve dinner and I chose her gorgeous handmade placemats as my inspiration for Blog Hop. She was helping a friend who was in charge of a Holiday Bazaar, only to learn the placemats she purchased were made by the very friend she was there helping! They're not only gorgeous plaid, but reverse to solid red. Because I've always loved plaids, the Vintage Ornaments Addition's plaid stamp caught my eye. I just love this card's bright traditional holiday colors and I already have a jump on next year's card stash!

Paper: PTI Pure Poppy, Spring Moss & Gold CS

Stamps: PTI Vintage Ornaments, Vintage Ornaments Additions & Everyday Classics

Ink: PTI Spring Moss, Pure Poppy, Landscape

Embellishments: Gold Stickles; Stampendous Star Chain Holograph Gold Stickers

Vintage Ornaments by PTI: Blue/Gold

I regrettably didn't purchase Vintage Ornaments & Vintage Ornaments Additions from Papertry Ink (trying to be practical & buy only one versatile Christmas set & more year-round ones), but boy am I sorry! These are just the most fun to play/create with. Huge thanks to my sweet BBGF Gwen for loaning hers to me. This card was done in blue for someone special (her fav color) and I just LOVE how it turned out! I'd received the Star Chain Stickers as a gift and thought they'd be perfect for hanging my ornaments from & thus my decision to use gold as my accent -- totally classy in person! Don't you just love it when a special card turns out even better than you thought it would?! S-C-O-R-E!!! Of course we won't mention how late it might arrive; we'll just keep believing in Santa Claus (& the Postal Service?) and have hope! ;0) EDITED to add: Now I know this was received, I can finally post it -- Woo-Hoo!!!
Paper: Bazzill CS; Gold Metallic (Layer); PTI's Spring Rain & Gold (ornament) CS
Stamps: PTI's Vintage Ornaments & Vintage Ornaments Additions
Ink: PTI's Spring Rain & Enore Ultimate Metallic Gold (sm. ornament); Versamark & ColorBox Royal Blue (lg. ornament)
Embellishments: Gold Stickers (Michaels); Hero Arts Clear Gemstones (Copic Colored: B29); Stampendous Class A'Peel Stickers; DeNami Gold Embossing Powder
Tools: Embossing Gun

PTI, LPS & Spellbinders' Quick/Easy Christmas Card

Papertrey Ink's 2009 Holiday Tag Collection and Spellbinders' Labels 5 dies made quick/easy cards! The tags could easily be switched out on this basic card sketch too! My Labels 5 were out from making Gwen's birthday card/box, so I ended up using them again here. Took red/green precut/prefolded cards I'd had forever and added two 1/2" PTI Gold CS strips for my "package". Then cut/embossed my Labels 5 shapes from PTI's Ripe Avocado/Gold, stamped my tree label, and added gold & red Stickles. My sentiment from Little Paper Shop's Christmas Tags set finished it off quick & easy!

Spellbinders' Labels 5/K & Company Happy Birthday Gwen

Imitation being the sincerest form of flattery, I had to imitate Claire's adorable box creation for my sweet friend Gwen's birthday! Claire is such a creative genius that I had to carry her idea onto my card. She also has a fabulous Stamp Company, Waltzingmouse Stamps, so be sure to check it out -- you won't be disappointed!!! Her incredible samples are throughout her blog too!

I knew Gwen liked these DPs by K & Company, so felt I couldn't go wrong there. I love how both turned out! Best part of all was that both Gwen & my other BFF Ilene had time to "do lunch" yesterday and I got to tag along with Ilene & surprise Gwen! She picked a fabulous little restaurant in downtown Chandler (AZ) for lunch. We all had the same fabulous salad, 2 hours of chatter & laughter & a gorgeous sunny day in the mid-70's -- what more could BFFs ask for?!

Paper: K & Company's McKenna & Margo; SU CS

Stamps: PTI's Everyday Classics, Friends 'Til the End & Vintage Labels

Ink: Tsukineko's VersaColor: Rose Red

Embellishments: Hero Arts Gemstones
Tools: Spellbinders' Wizard Die Cutter & Labels 5 Dies

New Home Congrats

I was inspired by these talented ladies, Bonnie & Sharon, to grab my Spellbinders gold craft foil & Labels 5 die this morning. I cut & embossed my die and stamped Congrats in Staz-On ink on my label. I glue dotted the holly leaves & berries (cut from green & red foil & left over from a previous project) above my sentiment, punched a hole in each edge for my gold ribbon & tied it around a bottle of bubbly for a surprise toast when our friends arrive from the frozen Midwest. In hindsight, I'd have Copic colored the leaves to better match the bottle's color and layered a larger label behind my foil one. I realize my rushed effort is in no way comparable to Bonnie's or Sharon's gorgeous creations, but using what stamps/dies & little time I had, I still think they'll appreciate the thought behind it! Another friend joked that I'm "re-gifting" because these friends bought this bottle of bubbly last winter to share with us, but we never had a chance to enjoy it. So I think it was meant to be that we use it to toast them & share it together in their new home we helped them find.

Last Chance for These Digital Stamps

If you'd like to have these two FABULOUS digi stamps, rush over to Jak's blog to purchase them for a very reasonable price for BOTH professional images: Little Soldier by Jim Harker & Out There by Mo Manning. Your purchase goes directly to the Meningitis Search 4 a Vaccine Campaign in memory of Jak's precious little 16-mo.-old Great Nephew. They're only available until Sunday, December 12th, so please take a moment and do it now -- it literally takes about 5 minutes to complete your purchase & receive your images! You'll be so glad you did and to have these exceptional images to enjoy! How adorable is the little Sailor boy and his faithful friend on my 2nd card?! You can also see Little Soldier in red for Christmas on my previous post here -- he's adorable in any color. These are such professionally-drawn images that even though I'm a beginner with Copic coloring & shading, they allow me to create gorgeous cards!

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!!!

Cuttlebug Baubles & Bows Card

The Cuttlebug blog challenge is to add glitter/bling! After embossing with my Baubles & Bows folder, I used my Quickie Glue pen, Martha Stewart glitters and Copic-colored Hero Arts gems to add some sparkle. My stamped sentiment is mounted on a second Fancy Tag to finish it off -- fun pr0ject!

Paper: PTI's Shimmer & Pure Poppy CS; Bazzill CS

Stamp: PTI's 2009 Holiday Tag Collection

Ink: PTI's Pure Poppy

Embellishments: MS Garnet & Turquoise Glitter; Hero Arts gems

Tools: Cuttlebug Baubles & Bows Embossing Folder; Spellbinders' Wizard, Fancy Tags & Curved Rectangles Dies; Copics BG000 & R29

Just Us Girls Week 8 Color & 2S4U Kazan's Sketch 40 Challenges

Tonight I had a bit of time to play, so I'm posting a combination of 2 challenges: JUGs Week 8 Color Challenge and 2 Sketches 4 U (Kazan's Sketch 40) Challenge, pictured above. When I first saw these colors (SU's Pumpkin Pie, Really Rust & Bashful Blue) used here I was skeptical, but just look at their fabulous DT samples -- awesome! I used the exact SU colors, though since it's after 6 PM & dark, my blue looks a bit grayer than it really is. What a fun sketch & fabulous color combo! The little corner detail are pieces die cut from the Spellbinder's Lattice Pendant for my original idea for this card -- never throw anything away!!!

Paper: All SU CS

Stamp: Technique Tuesday's Whirly Gigs

Ink: PTI's True Black Palette

Embellishments: Michaels Gems (colored w/Copics: YR07 & B21

Tools: Paper Shapers Scalloped Punches & Spellbinder's Wizard & Lattice Pendant Die

PTI November Blog Hop: Quick & Inexpensive Tags

This month's PTI Blog Hop Challenge: create a quick & inexpensive wrap or tag that can be the perfect solution for "grab & go" gifts! Since most of our family live in far-away states, my main "wrapping" is baskets of fruits/nuts/candy with cellophane & a fun tag for friends or neighbors. Sooooo fun, quick & simple to create tags using Nesties and PTI's 2009 Holiday Tag Collection. I used a package of large tags I'd picked up years ago on clearance for $.50 and placed my circle Nestie just above the "hole" in the tag, cut & embossed. I inked up "Joyeux Noel" with Ripe Avocado & Dark Chocolate Palette cubes (so easy with the cubes). Stamped that & the "to/from" dotted line stamp, added a little ribbon & done! For my next two tags I used my Labels 1 Nesties. Cut/embossed a tag from the left-over bottom portion of the purchased tag. Left the die on after embossing and stamped the Spring Rain snowflakes just inside the embossed frame on the right & added "to/from" in Dark Chocolate @ lower left! Next, cut my Labels 1 in PTI's Shimmer CS, inked & stamped my "to/from", holly & dotted border Vintage Labels stamps in Dark Avocado & added Xmas Red Stickles to the berries. I could punch a hole in these tags too. Lastly used Labels 4, PTI's Shimmer CS and the new Flurries Cuttlebug Embossing Folder, Let It Snow sentiment & PSX Diamond Sparkles. That's my quick/inexpensive Christmas tags ready to add to my last-minute gift baskets and it's not even December -- now that's planning ahead!

Taylored Expressions Sketch Challenge #92

Now that my Wizard die cutting machine is repaired, I need to concentrate on cranking out Christmas and birthday cards for family and friends. I decided to do this fun TESC challenge today to kick start the creating frenzy that hopefully will follow. Our friends who bought a winter home here will arrive in just 3 short weeks, so I need to get my act together pronto! My simple little card really requires no explanation.

Paper: PTI's Spring Moss CS & Holiday Vintage Prints DP; Bazzill CS

Stamps: 2009 Holiday Tag Collection

Ink: PTI's Dark Avocado

Embellishments: Amuse Twinkle Sticker (star) Copic Colored Lipstick Red (R29); PTI button; ribbon from stash

Tools: Spellbinders Wizard & Labels 4 & Round Dies

"Just Us Girls" Week 7 Technique Challenge: Dry Embossing

ETA: I've tried every conceivable lighting possibility available to me (considering my extremely limited photographic abilities), but have come to the conclusion that the large black center of this card is causing all the light on the beautiful pink/white BG to be washed out. So, I've added a close-up photo of one edge of it, along with a close-up of the sentiment (where the bright pink ink was absorbed by the black paper, but I really liked the distressed look of that, since the BG paper is distressed too!)

My die cut/embossing machine crashed Saturday and I just received my replacement handle from Spellbinders this afternoon. I'm hoping to beat the JUGs challenge deadline, but my CFL lighting will not allow me to take a decent picture, so I'll have to reload my photo in the morning! The background paper here is actually a beautiful shade of pink on a white background. I need several birthday cards this next couple of months, so this was the perfect chance to get one ready.
Paper: Making Memories Sabrina DP; black CS from stash
Stamps: PTI's Heartfelt Basics & Vintage Labels
Ink: VersaColor Pink
Embellishments: Making Memories Sabrina Ribbon; Hero Arts Gemstones
Tools: Spellbinders' Wizard & Sizzix Botanical Frame Embossing Folder

In Memory of Layton and Copic Colour Challenge 39

My dear friend Jak's 16-mo.-old Great Nephew passed away on Oct. 27th from Meningitis. Two exceptionally-talented artists have given their time to create Digi Stamps: Jim Harker made the Little Soldier Stamp I've used here and Mo Manning made the Out There Stamp, both available on Jak's blog for a single £4.00 (about $6.65 USD) donation and immediate download. All proceeds go to Meningitis search 4 a vaccine campaign. I'm fairly new to digis & Copics, but trust me when I tell you that these are exceptionally well-drawn images for an exceptional price!!! In addition, on Jak's blog you'll be able to link your card made with either of these digis for another fabulous giveaway she's sponsoring until next Sunday -- a wonderful deal for such a small amount and such a HUGE cause! Go check it out!!! Since I wanted my Little Soldier to be for Christmas, I used two new Copics (thanks to Hobby Lobby's 30% off sale 3 weeks in a row!) purchased specifically for the Copic Colour Challenge 39 and will have my Little Soldier do double duty -- I don't think he'll mind!!!

Paper: PTI's White CS

Digi Stamp: See link above to Jak's blog

Copics: R29, R59, G07, Y08, Y17, BG000, C1

Embellishments: Gold Pearls (Michaels); ribbon (from stash)

Spellbinders' Eyelet Pendant Pumpkin

When I saw this adorable pumpkin on Kimberly's blog (right after I bought the Eyelet Pendant with a coupon from our new Hobby Lobby), I just had to CASE it. Finally got around to doing it today using some lightly textured paper from Bazzill's Warehouse Sale. Full directions are on Kimberly's blog, along with a smaller one made with the next smaller die in the Eyelet Pendant set, so I won't repeat them here. The smaller one is totally cute too, but my beloved Wizard is "acting up", so I haven't made a small one.

Paper: Bazzill CS; PTI's Dark Chocolate

Embellishments: PTI's Leaf Ribbon

Tools: Spellbinders' Wizard & Eyelet Pendant & Tags Trio dies

PTI: 2009 Holiday Tags: Christmas Tree

Got my Christmas present from Hubby today (even though we really don't exchange gifts), but it can't go under the tree, as I need it to make cards for our Holiday card giving! Lucky me!!! We have four children between us with 3 December birthdays (both boys on the same day even) and our youngest in mid-January, so between their birthdays & Christmas for them & his 2 grandchildren, we rarely "do" Christmas gifts for each other. Honestly, we just get the things we "need" throughout the year & concentrate on them at this time! So, here's my very first little card from Papertrey's Holiday Tags -- I LOVE this set! Everything here is PTI except the ribbon from my stash.

Paper: PTI's White & Pure Poppy CS, Holiday Vintage Prints DP
Stamps: PTI's 2009 Holiday Tag Collection
Ink: PTI's Pure Poppy & Ripe Avocado
Embellishments: Amuse Stickers: Star & Rhinestones (Copic Colored w/R29 Lipstick Red); ribbon from stash

Tools: Spellbinders Wizard & Double-Ended Tag Dies

Cuttlebug "Lace Tree" Christmas Card

Another borrowed item from my friend, Ilene (what WOULD I do without her?)! Had seen a card done on the amazing Becca Feeken's blog awhile back, so decided to see what I could come up with using this embossing folder. It was a struggle, but finally embossed it on the green suede paper, added Stickles, a star and sentiment on a Fancy Tag all glittered up! Are you feeling the Christmas spirit yet?

Paper: Georgia Pacific CS; Green Suede DP

Stamp: PTI's Everyday Classics (Anniversay set - not for sale)

Ink: PTI's Pure Poppy

Embellishments: Xmas Red Stickles; MS Garnet glitter; star (source unknown)

Tools: Spellbinders' Wizard & Fancy Tags Die; ProvoCraft Lace Tree Emb. Folder; WeRMemoryKeepers Corner Rounder

"Just Us Girls" Week 6 Sketch Challenge/Cuttlebug Challenges University Basics: Let It Snow

Pulled out some stamps and my Copics for the Cuttlebug Challenges University Basics Class featuring basic Copic techniques. I then realized the pieces would fit Just Us Girls Week 6 Sketch well too. Just needed to give this little snowman a bit of color for his hat, hatband & nose, plus a hint of accent on his face and a bit of B21, B24 and Crystal Stickles really made the mittens come alive! I accented some of the dots on the snowflakes with Copic B21 underneath the transparent Stickles, a small effort that really made a difference! Just received my HSN Cuttlebug Winter Folders today (woo-hoo) so I used a few of the small snowflakes from the Cardinal folder on my sentiment strip!

Paper: Bazzill CS; Georgia-Pacific White CS; Bella Press DP
Stamps: Hero Art's Snowflake; DeNami Design's Trifles; Our Craft Lounge's Snowy Sayings

Ink: VersaColor Sky Blue & Royal Blue

Embellishments: Crystal Stickles

Tools: Spellbinders' Wizard & Circle/Scalloped Circle Dies

"Just Us Girls" Week 6 - Sketch Challenge

Here's my Christmas card for the JUGs sketch challenge this week, taking advantage of the loaned Nested Poinsettias dies from my friend, Ilene, before she "needs" them back! Remembered this Bazzill scalloped paper when I got out some of my Christmas stuff and thought the green was a nice compliment to the large red suede paper poinsettia I made a couple days ago. Cut three of the smallest poinsettia dies and used a small flower center from another Nestie on those. Quite simple! Can't wait to see all the other challenge entries!

Paper: Bazzill Scalloped Edge Dotted Swiss CS; Red Suede Paper

Stamps: NONE -- what a shock!

Ink: Didn't need any since I didn't do any stamping - LOL!

Embellishments: Gold Rhinestone Stickers (Michaels); gold braid trim (stash)
Tools: Spellbinders' Wizard, Poinsettia and Flower Creations Three (for smallest flower centers)

Give Thanks Card

EDITED to add: After my card stared @ me for a couple days (LOL!), I decided that at the very least it needed 3 little brown buttons -- there, that's better!!!

Just a simple Thanksgiving card today, as I'm struggling to find my mojo -- seems to have gone missing AGAIN--hate when that happens & I have no good reason for it! My friend Ilene loaned me her Holiday Limited Edition Nesties to try to jumpstart my creativity. I got a bit carried away with my sponge & distress inks on the edges of my pumpkin here and then was at a loss as to what else to do. Do you ever have that problem? I didn't want to waste any more of this lovely Basic Grey Mellow DP, so I finally just stopped after adding the sentiment, leaving the inside blank so I could write a message on it IF I decide to use this card. I'm taking a break & hope to try another card later today--wish me luck, as I obviously NEED it!!!
Paper: Bazzill scalloped CS; Basic Grey Mellow DP
Stamps: Fiskars Turkey Lurkey
Ink: PTI's Dark Chocolate; Rangers' Old Paper & Vintage Photo Distress Inks
Embellishments: Brown Ric Rac & waxed floss (colored with Copic E57; buttons from stash
Tools: Spellbinders' Wizard & Pumpkin Dies

Simple Halloween Card & Dotted Spider

Decided to do a very simple last-minute Halloween card & get three in the mail today, all the while praying they'll all get to their destinations by Saturday. Had a blast last year doing Halloween cards and 3-D items, but for some reason the "spirits" just didn't move me this year--LOL!!! I did add a cute little "Spidey" inside each card (minus the candy) and thought it would be fun to add a new twist -- I ran the scalloped circles through my Wizard with the Dotted Swiss embossing folder and really liked the outcome. Simple pleasures!!!

Paper, Tag & bat brad: Making Memories DP; white CS (stash)

Stamp (inside) & Both Ribbons: Martha Stewart

Embellishment: SU's Black Hemp Twine

Spider: SU's Photo Corners & Scalloped Circle Punch; Dotted Swiss embossing folder

PTI October Blog Hop: Holiday Tea

I always thought these red/green tea leaves papers would make such a beautiful Christmas card and even though I was unsuccessful in actually finding Christmas tea yet in my little neighborhood store, I just had go ahead and make the card anyway! I really like the outcome! I combined PTI's Tea for Two and Everyday Classics sentiments to get my "Christmas blend" phrase and used a Michael's $1 stamp and Copic-colored gems for the holly & berries on my handmade little "teabag" label. To make that tiny thing was the hardest part of this card. I first cut & embossed one of my tiny original Spellbinder rectangles, then used my SU ticket corner punch and trimmed off the top part of the rectangle to acheive a better teabag shape. I then cut one itty-bitty holly leaf from my $1 stamp (something I often do with my stamps), stamped it, added the 3 little berry "gems" colored with my R29 Copic marker and crochet thread "string"! I felt it just added the perfect little detail to my Christmas tea card!!!

Paper: PTI's Vintage Cream & Pure Poppy CS and Green Tea Leaves DP

Stamps: PTI's Tea for Two & Everyday Classics; $1 Michael's stamp

Ink: PTI's Pure Poppy & Ripe Avocado

Embellishments: Amuse Twinkle Stickers (colored red w/Copic R29); Aunt Lydia's Crochet Thread (Wal-Mart); red velvet ribbon (local ribbon store)

Tools: Spellbinders Wizard & Round, Scalloped Round & Fancy Tags Dies; MS Apron Lace Punch; Singer sewing machine

Stamping Sisters in Christ Challenge #9 (SSCC9)

My sweet friend, Gwen, once again pointed me to a challenge blog with a fabulous prize. (God knows what I'd do without her and I have NO intention of finding out -- obviously, she's a total keeper when it comes to great friends!!!) Go here to see the gorgeous Taylored Expressions Christmas stamp set being offered as a prize. The challenge is to make a card or project featuring the nativity or other religious theme about Christ's birth. Again, I've used PTI's Silent Night set from 2008 (still available for purchase) for my entry. I just love not only the elegant gold paper, embossing, ribbon & pearls, but particularly the fact that it reminds us all of the true meaning of Christmas!
You have almost two more days to post your project and be eligible to win -- good luck!!!
Paper: PTI's Vintage Cream & Gold CS
Stamps: PTI's Silent Night
Ink: Versamark
Embellishments: Sheer Gold Ribbon & Gold "Rhinestone" Stickers (both from Michaels); DeNami Design's Gold Embossing Powder
Tools: Spellbinders' Wizard & Fancy Tags Die

"Just Us Girls" Week 3 - Color Challenge

My BBGF (Best Blogging GF), Gwen, found a fun new challenge for us to try. Go check out her card (just click on her name) and the challenge blog here: Just Us Girls!!! The theme changes weekly, which should really keep our creative juices flowing, something I reallly NEED lately! For this challenge, I decided to play with my Spellbinders' Fancy Tags dies. I love how you can use the tag's flourishes as embellishments with other Nesties dies. I added the end flourishes from the largest tag to the edges of my stamped Curved Rectangles and then another underneath the tag containing my stamped sentiment. Copic BGOOO gave my pearls just the right aqua accent.

Paper: PTI's Vintage Cream, Pure Poppy & Aqua Mist

Stamps: PTI's Silent Night
Ink: PTI's Pure Poppy & Versacolor's 138 Seafoam

Embellishments: Pearls & ribbon from stash

T0ols: Copic Marker BGOOO; Spellbinders' Wizard, Fancy Tags & Curved Rectangles Dies

2S4Y Challenge 37

Our DS was able to extend the end of his business trip and spend a day & a half with us this weekend, so I got a very late start on the 2S4Y Challenge. Wouldn't have missed our short & sweet visit with him for anything, but really wanted to try for the fabulous $100 JustRite Stampers prize offered in this challenge. I'm within a half hour of the deadline (I think!), so here's my card and the details. Love JRS and all the versatility their font stamps offer, but at the moment only own one small set. I decided I'd combine that 25-point Times New Roman font with this gorgeous star from Papertry Ink's Silent Night stamp set. Though it was a rush job, I really like how it turned out!

Paper: PTI's Gold CS; black CS from stash

Stamps: JRS 2 3/8" Round Stamper & Times New Roman 25 Point Font; PTI's Silent Night (2008)

Ink: Versamark

Embellishments: Stamp-n-Stuff Opaque Gold Embossing Powder & Gold Rhinestone Stickers (Michaels); Gold-edge Black Sheer Ribbon (from stash) Tools: Spellbinders Wizard; Labels Two Dies; Plain & Scalloped Round Dies; Cuttlebug Dotted Swiss Embossing Folder

Our Craft Lounge: Snowy Sayings II

Maren Benedict's card in the current issue of Paper Crafts Magazine (Pg. 49) inspired me to dig out my Candy Wrapper paper by My Mind's Eye, along with some Spellbinders' Nesties, and here's my result, another fun little card for winter or Christmas. I thought this flower die was perfect with this paper. For some reason I seem to be on a ric rac kick lately, but the first one I chose from my stash was too blue (not aqua enough) so I grabbed my Copic BG000 Pale Aqua and colored a white ric rac & my Copic R29 Lipstick Red to color my clear tiny stars and easily created two complimentary little details for my card -- love being able to do that! I also once again only embossed the same die I'd just used to cut my sentiment label & simply cut around the outside edge to give that extra little color layer behind the aqua. It takes very little time, but adds a lot, I think!

Paper: PTI's White & Aqua Mist CS; Candy Wrapper from My Mind's Eye DP

Stamp: Our Craft Lounge: Snowy Sayings

Ink: Cardinal VersaColor pigment

Embellishments: Doodlebug Design's sugar-coated brad; Amuse Twinkle Sticker (stars); ric rac & ribbon from stash

Tools: Spellbinders' Wizard & Labels Eight & Flower Creations Three Dies; Copic Markers

Our Craft Lounge: Snowy Sayings

A fun little card made with a darling acrylic sentiment set I won from Our Craft Lounge recently, paired with the little penguins from Technique Tuesday's Zoology set I won @ CKC last spring. I thought the two stamps paired up nicely! Wanting to use the red as my accent color, I embossed the red panel with my same Labels Five Nestie that I'd used to cut the snowflake paper & then used scissors to cut around the outer edge (a trick I saw on a blog, but of course cannot now recall from whom - sorry)! It allows you to have that extra incremental layer of color even though the Labels Nesties don't each come in two sizes (maybe they will one day?) though I don't need any more on my already huge list of "must haves"!

Paper: PTI's White & Pure Poppy CS; Debbie Mumm's Harvest & Holiday DP pack

Stamps: Our Craft Lounge Snowy Sayings; Technique Tuesday's Zoology

Ink: PTI's Palette True Black

Embellishments: RicRac from stash

Tools: Spellbinder's Wizard & Labels Five; Fiskars' Upper Crest Punch

WCMD Challenge #4: Australia

Once I saw Australia was the country for Nichole's WCMD Challenge #4 I couldn't stop thinking about all the Outback Steakhouse drink coasters I've accumulated over the years. After much deliberation over what to do for my card for this challenge, I finally decided I HAD to use this coaster -- if you click on the picture to enlare it, you'll hopefully be able to see the rings of little dots above & to the left of the sun, dotted circular reflections of it's bright impact on Australia! I took my scissors from SU (used for cutting their rubber stamps before mounting) & cut off the bottom 1/3 of the coaster (which said: "just have a seat at Outback.") and used my WeRMemoryKeepers Corner Chomper to round the new bottom corners. I stamped the lizard and attempted to add white gel pen dots around it & the coaster, only to realize I need a LOT of practice in this technique!!! To complete my card, I had to finish the inside with the rest of the sentence begun on the coaster!!! Hope it "tickles" (to borrow a phrase made "famous" by Claire on her blog)! Tee-Hee!!!

Paper: PTI's Kraft

Stamp: Comotion

Ink: PTI's Dark Chocolate

Embellishments: Ribbon (from stash)

Tools: MS Embossed Zig Zag Punch; Copic #YR07 (border)

WCMD Challenge #3: India

Whew -- this took way longer than I'd planned, but with many changes along the creative path, I do like the result! I've posted a photo of the paisley dress that inspired me, though since I had more purple gems, I chose purple & gold colors instead. Nichole is sure making us think outside the box with these WCMD challenges, isn't she? What a really good way to stretch our minds & creativity though!!!
Paper: Bazzill & DeNami Design CS
Stamp: PTI's Friends 'Til the End
Ink: PTI's True Black
Embellies: Hero Arts gems & Sequins; unknown flower gems; Lavender Stickles
Tools: Spellbinders Wizard & Paisley Plain & Scalloped Nesties; ProvoCraft Border Emossing Folder

WCMD Challenge #2: Mexico

Both folklore and archeological finds show that the Chihuahua breed originated in Mexico. The most common theory and most likely is that Chihuahuas are descended from the Techichi, a companion dog favored by the Toltec civilization in Mexico. Gwen, my BBGF (Best Blogging GF!) has three of these little charmers, so I know she'll appreciate my Mexican card entry!!! She and another friend, Ilene, are @ CKC today. They are responsible for getting me into rubber stamping (Ilene) and blogging (Gwen), so they're very important in my life. Finances permitting I'd have been with them today, but I'm so happy WCMD gave me something to think about other than missing the day with them!

Paper: PTI's Kraft & Dark Chocolate CS; PTI's Autumn Abundance DP; Bazzill CS

Ink: PTI's Dark Chocolate

Stamps: PTI's Everyday Classics (sentiment); All Night Media (dog-1999); Copper Leaf Creations (earth-1995)

Embellishments: Ribbon (unknown); stickers (Joann's)

Tools: Spellbinders' Wizard Machine & Dies: Labels One & Double Ended Tags; MS Embossed Zig Zag Punch; Copic Markers

Edited to add: I'd forgotten that I also wanted to post this on Spellbinders' Facebook page to qualify for their random drawing for use of Spellbinders' dies! ;~)

WCMD Challenge #1: Japan

For my first WCMD challenge I'm answering Nichole's 1st of 4 challenges here to create a project that is inspired by either the colors, the design or the themes that are prominent in the Japanese culture. As usual, she has some fabulous prizes up for grabs!!! For my kimono card I had to research kimono folding again (I'd made several kimono cards in the past as I've had two former employers with Asian ties) and I found this video on YouTube, so followed it for my card. I'll simply refer you to Michelle's excellent instructions on her video, as she did a fabulous job. Two things I would mention: I used Papertrey Ink's Scor-Tape (found here ) to attach both my origami DP and my ribbon, which made this soooo easy to create. Secondly, remember to stamp your sentiment low enough on the inside so it won't show above the neckline of your kimono when closed! That's it! Have a fun WCMD everyone!!!

Wanted: Happy Birthday for Bradley

This card is CASED from the one I gave my sweet hubby for his birthday in April because he LOVES it & wanted me to duplicate it for his granson's birthday. Since Brad lives in OK, I think this might be a good fit. I only wish I'd designed the card myself, but it was shared @ our creative Designing Diva's group by our ever-talented friend, Judy. The awesome background papers for the top mat & the little bucking bronco inside the bottle cap (Wanted by Cosmo Cricket) are sadly no longer available (I don't believe). The bottom DP layer & torn strip are double-sided WeRMemoryKeepers' Urban Window Collection (Boho Chic Hobo Hip). I'm not sure if it's still available. The new/unused bottle cap was smashed in my Spellbinders' Wizard machine -- like "buttah"! Punched the little cowpoke out with Martha Stewart's 1" circle punch & topped it with Ranger Glossy Accents. Wanted a bit bigger star, so ended up tracing the smalled star Nestie & cutting it by hand. All other embellishments from my stash. I don't recall the stamp company, but if anyone NEEDS to know, I can find out from Judy for you!