Christmas Wreath Two-Sided Card

Just a reminder to vote in my poles at the left if you haven't already.  You can keep up with the results too if you like by pressing on the view button.

I have another Christmas card so I don't get caught like last year, with not enough cards for all.  I still really liking making the card with just a front and a back (another green idea) when I can.  The photos make the red look more true red.  Mine is actually a deep pink red.  A very easy card as you will see:

IMAGE AND CARD FRONT:

1. Stamped wreath on white cardstock 3 times (once for base, once for dimensions, and once for the back of card and envy.
2. Painted all of first image, parts of second image for dimension, and trimmed parts for back and envy with twinks.
3. Trimmed and embossed Holly leaves, bells, and bow from back and mounted with 3D pop-dot REMNANTS. (Go green and don't waste the left-over of pop dots.  They work even better than the dots/squares sometimes, if not just the same.)
4. Put white cardstock through Cuttlebug with Sizzix Dots folder, painted the flourish with Twink H20 Solar Gold.
5. Used Bazzill Pirouette taped to Merry Christmas portion of Merry Tree die.

ASSEMBLY AND EMBELLISHMENT:

1. The Bazzill base is 6.25"x4.5".  The white embossed cardstock (5.5"x4.25) was mounted in the middle.  A plain white piece was mounted on the back.
2. The wreath was mounted and then Viva Crystal Clear was added to the bells and Mistletoe.  When dry Stickles Diamonds was added lightly to the Mistletoe berries.  The same treatment was done on the backside of the card with the holly, bells, Mistletoe, and the bow. Spica AtYou pens were used to high light the leaves and bow edges where needed.
3. Two strips of the Bazzill was added to the envy and then the Holly, Mistletoe, etc. like on the back of the envy.
4. The hearts were added with a dot of GA and then hearts added to them with a Quikstik.

That's it for today and thanks so much for stopping by to look and share.

Shirley

SUPPLIES:

Peacock Nouveau

I fell in love with the peacock and feather image when I saw Karen Amidon's and Jenny Gropp's designs on their blogs.  I started my card some time ago and then life happened and I got side tracked, but today here it is:

IMAGES:

1. Peacock was stamped once and the limb (feather) was stamped 3 times and on an envelope with Memento Nautical Blue ink.  They were painted with twinks an fussy cut.  The circles on the feathers in areas were painted with Golden acrylic Iridescent Gold Deep.  Cupped and flat sequins were used too.  The flat sequins are are blue-green AB (Aurora Boreale) and show as different shades of blue and green. The itty bitty gold circles on the bird are left-over punched centers from a bottle of the sequins.  The bow is May Arts.

BACK AND ENVY:

1.  I am really liking using the back of my larger card fronts as the area for writing my letter to the receiver.  I did it on this card too.  It is thinner for mailing and I even though I layer.
2. Spellbinders Enchanted Labels 28 largest die was used for the front and back of the card.
3. Lil' Inker Mat Stitched Circle die cuts were used to mount the image and the sentiment (which was also stamped with Memento Nautical Blue).

I want to thank those of you who sent cards to Edith and her family.  Her sister has been posting thank yous on Donna's blog.  You can go there with the link in my upper right-hand sidebar.

Don't forget to vote by reading the polls in my upper left-hand sidebar.  You can follow the results there too.

Thanks for stopping by to look and share.  Have a great week and weekend!!
Shirley
SUPPLIES:

Online Stencil Class Days 3 And 4

Days 3, 4, and the Bonus were filled with tons of techniques and step by step instructions on pdf and videos for download.  I liked that you could use whichever one you liked most.  I chose to do a quick card I had in my mind so I could move on to the watercoloring class!!  I got the idea for the colors in the flower after seeing Jane's on her blog, Cards By Jane.  Thank you, Jane, for sharing your beautiful card.  Here is what I did:

IMAGES:

1.  Stamped the flower on white CS with black ink, painted with Twinkling H2O's, applied GA to the flourishes; used Black Inkssential for the tiny dots and berries; Gold glitter glue for the frame edge and the center of the flower (in the photo it looks silver and that's because it is lighter than their Golden Rod).
2. The hello die was used on black cardstock and mounted with GA to the pink background.

STENCILING:

1. Used the Dots stencil first with Memento Tuxedo Black applied with a dauber.  I found rubbing was better than dabbing.  LOLOL.  Then I used a spatula with Golden Gel Medium Regular - Gloss.  I don't think I will use it for stencils again.  It is great for copying and transfer of photos, but it stayed tacky and didn't dry until the next day.
2. Mounted to pink cardstock.  Image mounted with 3D pop dots and the sentiment too.  Used leftover black and white dotted ribbon for the bow.

BACK OF CARD AND ENVY:

1. So in my blog hopping I thought I saw someone doing the back of the cardfront like the inside w/o the other side.  Hope I didn't confuse.  The photo should clear it up.  So I thought I would try it with this one and kind of like it.  Figured my signature after my written message with a date could suffice for signing the card.
2. I stenciled again with the black ink but did not use the medium.  I used the gold glitter glue to offset the dots a little.

I found FREE polling software so you can tell me what you prefer to use for posting comments and the size of photos in posts.   I hope you will leave me your answer to the questions posted in the upper left-hand sidebar.  I used Blogger for the first attempt and all of a sudden the votes disappeared.  I want to thank all of your who chose before and be assured that Pollcode.com said I could have the poll open for a year with no problem.

I am not off to start the watercolor class over at Online Card Classes.  The stencil for 5 days was $12  and the watercolor for about 12 days of lessons I think.  You get pdfs and videos for each day that are downloadable if you like to do that.

Hope your weekend and holiday were great.  Thanks for stopping by to look and share.

 Shirley

SUPPLIES:

Stencil Class Day 2 - A Rose Is A Rose

Stenciling Day 2 covered using stencils with stamps, masking, watercolors, colored pencils, and using the negative portions of sticker sheets, etc. as a stencil.  Another packed lesson with the lessons in downloaded pdf and videos too.

I chose to use my stencils with inks, stamps, and watercolor too.  This is what I did:

STENCIL IMAGES AND SENTIMENT:

1. Stenciled CW Echoes with TH Antique Linen on white cardstock.  Used tiny leaf and dot stamps from IO Branches Of A Tree inked with Memento Pistachio and Angel Pink over the AL.  I did the same to the corner of a wrong A2 envy.  Trimmed the corner and mounted on square envy so could still mail at cheaper rate.  Used Lil' Inkers Square for die cut.
2. Taped MFT Rose Builder onto white cardstock.  Painted stencil areas with twinks.  Went over inside edges for depth with Niji waterbrush and ink gathered from ink pads for Pistachio and Angel Pink.  Embossed white areas with stylus.
3. Used the negative leftover image from Day 1 on Dotted Swiss CS mounted on white CS as sentiment for today.

ASSEMBLY:

1. Mounted Echoes BG on pink CS, then green, the white.
2. Mounted rose on leaves.
3. Mounted rose and leaves on Echoes BG with 3D Pop-dots.

 INSIDE CARD:

1. Lined with dotted swiss and white CS.  Used left over remnants from stenciled Echoes for sides.
2. Used Stitched Square die cut, sponged frame, added leftover Echoes remnants to frame, added smallest Spellbinders Classic Hearts die cut from Echoes leftover.

EMBELLISHMENTS:

1. Added Wink of Stella to some of the little pink stamped dots, the edges of the rose and leaves, the white area of hello, inside for the same pink dots.  Added white pearl heart stickers as shown and white pearl corsage pin with dotted swiss bow.

Off to do Day 3.  Loving all of it so far.  Thanks for stopping by to look and share.

 Shirley

SUPPLIES:

Stencil Class Day 1 Card

 

I was so thrilled with the class.  They had 3 different excellent instructors and 4 videos.  They give you a supply list, but I tried to use what I had. since I've been stamping 14 years.  I learned about inking and masking with stencils and using inks and sprays with them.  Above is my first card that I inked with a stencil on the card front.  I did not use their masking technique on the envy, but it is masked and I can explain how I did that below.  Here is what I did.  The background sample is one I saw on Pam Sparks' blog HERE, while looking at their great pre-course gallery.  She even had a tutorial for it HERE......and yes, I ended up ordering the flower die she used too.

IMAGES:

1. Stamped image on vellum with Golden Glitz; painted with Twinkling H20 watercolors, highlighted with a Spica At You glitter pen; mounted the waxed white string bow.  set aside.
2. Envy - Stamped smaller image on vellum twice.  Once for mask on envy and once for inside to mount on the left like I did the card front. When I did mask I used Tombow removable tape between the mask and image. To remove it you just rub it off.  Very easy.

CARD FRONT and INSIDE LEFT:

1. Card front - Used Bazzill Dotted Swiss for card base.
2. Daubed (sponged) Burlap stencil with Golden Glitz, Peeled Paint, and Worn Lipstick randomly.
3. Die cut BG using Lil' Inkers Stitched Rectangles Mat; mounted; mounted image.
4. Die cut 'hello' using Bazzill Dotted Swiss CS; mounted as shown; added hearts to corners.
5. Inside - Stenciled Burlap down the center of the left side to match the card front; laid a piece of Bazzill CS on the left margin; painted the vellum stamped smaller image like the one on the envy and mounted in the center.
6. I always use cheaper cardstock of the same weight and same brightness for my card folds.

ENVY:

1.  Stamped small image on envy as shown, place stamped mask over it.  Stenciled with same colors as card front; peeled mask off and painted image with twinks and SAY glitter pen.

I would never have tried this without the lesson and, BTW, you also get a pdf with the lessons that were taught in the video.  Very cool.  When I am done with this class I want to take the watercolor class.  Big thanks to all of you who went before me so I could see your gorgeous cards that inspired me!!!  If you don't see supplies in my list below or you click and it comes back to my blog, it means I couldn't find where to buy it or already had it and didn't know the brand, etc.

Off to look at Day Two!  Thanks for stopping by to look and share!

 Shirley

SUPPLIES:

A Belle Flower Hello!

BIG BOLD BACKGROUND BELLE FLOWERS

Okay, so the minute I see a background stamp with distinct image, I often think how I can also use them for the inside and envelope.  I am sure because when I was growing up the insides of cards always matched the outside and sometimes even the envelope too.  So when I saw Chocolate Baroque's Belle Flowers that's exactly what I pictured.

IMAGE:

1. Stamped Big Bold Background Belle Flowers with Golden Glitz on white cardstock twice.  Once for cardfront and once for inside and envy.  Painted with Twinkling H2O's.  Used AtYou Lipstick around the pink flower.  Embellished with Viva pens and Stickles glitter glues shown in supplies below.
2. Trimmed BG to 5 1/8" square and Mounted on piece 5.25" piece of Phoenix cardstock.

DIE CUTS:

1. Die Cut the 'hello' sentiment using white cardstock.
2. Die cut sentiment tag from Polka Dots long narrow die using the red Phoenix cardstock.
3. Mounted 'hello' on red die cut.  Ran gold cord through holes on red die cut and attached to back.  Tied bow.  I didn't want to cover any of that wonderful Belle Flower background!!
4. Added Maya Road white pearl pen and Viva Bronze glitter pen dots too.

INSIDE AND ENVY:

1. Fussy cut pieces of the second background for inside and envy as shown.
2. Used X-acto knife to separate cardstock so I could peel the images for the envelope and inside.
3. Attached trim form the largest Polka Dot die to top and bottom as shown.  Attached images to inside and envy with Glossy Accents from my needle-nosed bottle.
4. Hints about bottle.  (I keep the bottle on its side so the needle part hardly ever gets clogged.  When it does I use long fine bead needle to unclog it.)  *Hint - When I flattened flowers sometimes the GA gets on the cardstock.  It comes right off any paper or cardstock with the non-abrasive Pentel eraser shown in my supplies.

That's it for today.  I am off to get my box for the winner of the blog candy ready to mail and to address the card and color page images ready to mail to Lauryn!  I want to thank all of you for your contributions of cards and/or donations.  Big hugs!  Thanks for stopping by to look and share!!

 Shirley

SUPPLIES:

Twisted Peppermint Moon

I was inspired to use this stamp by Ellen Taylor, who used it in her post HERE.  The colors on my cardfront match the bottom of the card in real life, but somehow when I took the picture it looks like different colors were used on the bottom.  Go figure!

I really like twisted easels and so do my friends.  I used to think they limited my ability to write extra if I wanted, so I started using the back side of the card for my note.  Some said they liked that so they could stand it up for others to see without sharing the personal writing.

CARD FRONT AND IMAGES:

1. Stamped Peppermint Moon with Espresso Truffle on white cardstock twice, painted with Twinkling H2O's, cut out, embossed with stylus from the back, and mounted on Lacey Circles largest die cut from white cardstock.  Cut out extra sash and tree, painted with H2O's, embossed from the back with stylus, and mounted with 3D pop-dots on main image.
2. Stamped two more trees from the main image, painted and trimmed (one for the easel bottom and one for the envelope).
3. Created card front and bottom bases using the outised of  the Curved Matting Basics largest die as a stencil on white cardstock. Used as a die to get 2 red die cuts.  Stamped CAC Thick Stripes on white 8.5"X11" cardstock with SU Real Red twice along the length. 
4. The bottom was built just like the top, only Lacey Ovals was used for the sentiment.  The sentiment from Round Ornaments was stamped with Real Red too.  The extra tree was mounted on the smallest Lacey Circles die cut.
5. 2mm round and 5mm heart pearls, Glossy Accents for the stars, Glitter, a bow, and heart pen were added to embellish.
6. *I've had the glue bottles you see in Supplies for nearly 6 years.  I use them for Glossy Accents and other adhesives.  They're great for small places.  **At first I thought the QuikStik would be awkward, but after using it I love it!! Thanks to you, Kitty Caracciolo. It doesn't grip it as hard as the AIG Sticky Sticks and means the Glossy Accents doesn't have to have started drying for the item to release.  Also, that green stuff you see on the tip lasts forever.

TWISTED EASEL BASE:

1. I did the easel base the same as my tutorial HERE.  As an extra step on this card I trimmed around the rounded corners on the front so they lined up after mounting the cardfront.

Thanks for stopping by to look and share everyone!!

 Shirley

SUPPLIES:

Cut-Out Sparkle

A quick card with a bit of whimsy using the Cutout Christmas Tree Die.  I tried a new way of taking the photo to see if I could pick up more sparkle and I think it worked.  I laid the cardfront down flat and took the photo from above, just as I do supplies, etc.  The pearls don't show as white as they truly are though.

CARDFRONT BASE:

1. Cut cardfront dark green background of 5.25"X5.25", and white dotted swiss at 5"X5" and mounted.
2. Stamped CAC Mesh Circles with VersaMark on white cardstock, applied stamp and bond powder, heated to a gloss, applied glitter, and heat embossed to seal; trimmed to 5"X5".
3. Added ribbon to green CS
4. Die cut Mesh Circles BG with Spellbinders Scalloped Labels One die and mounted frame to cardfront with 3D pop dots..  Saved die cut for inside.

CHRISTMAS TREE CUT-OUT:

1. Cut clear acetate 3"X4".
2. Die cut Christmas Tree Cutout and mounted on acetate, trimmed around with scissors.
3. Added yellow and clear sparkle glitter glue to light and ornament areas.  Next time I would like to try Glossy Accents and glitter for better dimension.
4. Added Viva Ice White Pearl to the trim area.
5. Added the flourish to the base and mounted in open area with 3D pop darts.
6. Added ribbon as shown.

INSIDE LEFT:

1. Mounted dark green cardstock on die cut left from the cardfront area.
2. Stamped Peace Hope Joy and Love with Olive Grove on white cardstock die cut and
3. Mounted inside left at a slant.  Attached a piece of the dark green cardstock.
4. Added Glossy Accents, white pearl heart, and glitter to bottom of sentiment.

Hope you enjoyed my project.  Thanks for stopping by to look and share.

 Shirley

SUPPLIES:

Triple Thanks

This card happened by accident.  I had something else planned, but I have a neighbor boy who comes over and helps me with my flowers and weeds.  He sees me out there and just starts doing what I do.  He saw my cards the other day and asked if I would make him one.  This is to thank him for his help.  His favorite colors are purple and yellow.  Here is how I put it together:

IMAGES:

1. Stamped Sketchy Flowers with Memento Pistachio ink on Neenah Solar White cardstock.  Used Spellbinders Majestic Elements as die for the Bazzill base and the Sketchy Flowers background.
2. Created die cuts from Basket and Grass dies using Bazzill Dotted Swiss colors.  The basket has a slit ready to take the Grass, (stems for the flowers).
3. Created 3 sets of Spiral Daisy, Layered Floral flowers and leaves.
4. Did 2 die cut sets of the Heart Stems.
5. Die cut a Sign Post for the sentiment and stamped it with "Heartfelt Thanks" from Thank You clear set.

ASSEMBLY:

1. Mounted the Sketchy Flowers background to the Bazzill carstock.
2. Inserted the stems (Grass) into the basket and mounted with 3D pop-dots.
3. Rolled the Spiral Daisies.  Kittie has a great tutorial on how to roll all of the IO spiral flowers.  See it HERE.  The only difference is I use Glossy Accents as glue.  I place it on the inside part as I roll and then on the bottom before I put a glue dot between the bottom and the round dot on the bottom.
4. Mounted the Layered Floral flowers and leaves with glue dots and 3D pop-dots.
5. Mounted white hearts on green heart stems and inserted in basket.
6. Used Stickles glitter glues for the centers of the flowers and Viva Decor Yellow Glitter for the hearts
7. Mounted sentiment and bow.  The grass on the basket is leftovers from Grass Border.

Hope your weekend was great and your week better.   Thanks for stopping by to look and share!!

 Shirley

SUPPLIES:

Layered and Foiled By The Sea!

I chose Grace for today's tutorial.  I used a couple of different techniques.  The first was using a heat and stick embossing powder to attach some mica flakes and the second is foiling Graces shell.   Below is how I created the card.

Images First:

1. I built the card from the back to the front so I inked up Clouds with Memento Summer sky and stamped on Neenah Solar White cardstock, and then
2. I inked Rolling Waves with Fluid Chalk Alabaster on blue cardstock, then
3. I used a caramel colored piece of Bazzill Dotted Swiss and stamped it with VersaMark and CAC Dots, applied heat and bond embossing powder, heated until clear, applied Mica Flakes Gold Dust and then heated again to seal it.
4. Stamped Grace (from my clear set) twice on white cardstock with Memento Toffee Crunch.  Painted her with twinks.  Applied Jones Tone thin layer to the shell.  Let dry for an hour and applied the Pearl foil.  BTW - if you buy any of this, you don't need a lot. The piece you see there is about 8 years old and still has lots more to use. One copy of Grace will be used to layer (of course).

Building Background:

1. Die cut the card shape using Resplendent Rectangles.
2. Used the die as a stencil to get the Clouds background.
3. Lined up the Rolling Waves on top of that.  Have to admit this was a leftover from a previous card.
4. Tore the Dots background along the top.  Cut it 2" deep.  Taped it in place and used the bottom edge of the Clouds to trim it.  (Do you follow this?)  If not you can ask.  :-)  Applied glitter glue to the torn edge and applied Mica Flakes Gold Dust on top of that.
5. Threaded pink organza ribbon around the edge and tied a bow.
6. Mounted to another piece of caramel cardstock.

 Finishing The Card:

1. Finished Grace, embossed her from the back and mounted with 3D pop dots.
2. Cut out the Starfish, Scallop, swirled shell, and flower in her hair.  Embossed them from the back and mounted them.
3. Used Glossy Accents on the swirled shell and the Starfish.
4. Used Gesso in a little fine tipped bottle I have for the Scallop.
5. Added a 2mm pearl to the flower in her hair.
6. Added a heart shaped pearl to the lower right hand corner with Glossy Accents.  Dusted with the Mica flakes.
7. Stamped By The Sea sentiment with Memento Toffee Crunch.

It was a fun and fairly quick card.  Thanks for stopping by to look and share!

 Shirley

SUPPLIES:

It's Almost Here

And this could be my last post until after Christmas.  It all depends on what I get done.  :-)  This card was done using another Twisted Easel.  It looks like a square easel, but is isn't totally.  If it was a square one it would be 5X5.  I hated seeing the large margin on the right of square easels, so I changed it a little.  The fold for the easel part is the same.  A piece of cardstock cut 5"X10 and folded in the middle for the 5"X5".  Then don't forget top fold the top as from bottom left to right top (to make a triangle).  Look HERE.  Now for the difference.  I made my card front 5.25" and then mounted it so the overhang would be on the right.  Any questions, ask me.

I used Flourishes Poinsettia Boxwood Set for the flowers and the sentiment is from Flourishes Sleigh Ride.  The large flower was stamped twice, cut out, was painted with Twinkling H2O's, bottom and top turned over and embossed on mat with stylus, and layered with 3D pop dots.  3MM Mark Richard pearls were added to the center and Stickles Yellow was added in between them.  The leftover petals from the second Poinsettia were painted with Twinkling H2O's Olive Green and then mounted as shown after the flower was mounted.

The frame for the flower was done using Spellbinders Labels Thirteen.  You can see how I did it HERE.  The white embossed background is Cuttlebug's Kassie's Brocade 5"X7" embossing folder.  Since my card front was 5"X5.25, the next layer is Bazzill's Dotted Swiss Blissful 4.45"X5.0", then Kassie's Brocade at 4.5"X4.75, then Labels Thirteen frame mounted on a white BG, then on Kassie with 3D pop dots, and last the Poinsettia mounted with 3D pop dots.

The layering of the bottom is pretty self explanatory.  I painted the small Poinsettia with the same colors as above.  The pearls are 2MM.  The sentiment was stamped with StazOn Blazing Red and the die from Spellbinders Fancy Tags One was used as a stencil around it.  The die cut was done using more Blissful.  The pearls are 5 and 7MM.  The ribbon is May Arts and done with the Bow-Easy.

I am using the InLinkz Link Manager again.  Some of you said it was helpful.   Hope you enjoyed your visit.  If I don't make it by your blog to say so before Christmas, I hope yours is MERRY and BRIGHT!!  And a very HAPPY NEW YEAR too!!  Thanks for stopping by to look and say hi!!

 

 Shirley

 

SUPPLIES:

Oh By Gosh By Golly....

Silly as it may seem, when I saw the sentiments in this stamp set it reminded of when I used to watch the Christmas musicals on TV, and I won't tell you who was singing them.  :-D  This is one of the hardest pictures I have taken.  The Whites just really didn't show right.

The card fold is again the Twisted Easel for 4.25X5.5 cards and the instructions can be found HERE.

All of the images on my card are from Flourishes Meet Me Under The Mistletoe.  The mistletoe was stamped twice with Brilliance Galaxy Gold ink, cut out, and painted with Twinkling H2O's.  The base was done by first using a Spellbinders Circle die with Bazzill Dotted Swiss Irish Eyes DP, cut and embossed.  Next, the white layer was first embossed with Cuttlebug folder D'Vine Swirls and then embossed again using their Swiss Dots.  A Spellbinders Picot Edge Circle die was then used for the shape.  The first mistletoe image was mounted.  Then the second one was embossed using a stylus to raise the bow, leaves, and berries, then mounted, using the first one as a base.  Glossy Accents was added to the berries.

Both the card front and the base were done with the same cardstocks and techniques as above.

The sentiments were done using Memento Bamboo Leaves ink on white cardstock and then using the same embossing folders as above.  (You would have a hard time stamping over the Swiss Dots) :-D  The shape for the first one is from a Spellbinders Circle die and then then Magic Matter with the Bazzill Dotted Swiss Irish Eyes DP for the bottom circle.  The second sentiment was done the same as the first with the exception that a Spellbinders Tags One die was used and adjusted as shown for the edges.

The ribbon is leftover from I think Michaels.  The pearls are Mark Richards 3 and 5mm.  The stick pin is from Maya Road Trinkets and the beads are Czech glass beads.

That's all for today!  Thanks for stopping by to look and say hi!!

 

 Shirley

 

Supplies:

Snow Family Fun And No Patterned Paper

The IO blog is having a "No Patterned Paper" challenge this week, and although I didn't play, I couldn't resist finishing this card that would have been okay to enter.  I love Alesa Baker stamps and had started this card a while back.

For some reason I did the card front and base backgrounds first this time.  I wanted a 5" square easel card.  I used a 5"X10 piece of Domtar Cougar Super Smooth White cardstock for the card.  You can find the measurements and instructions HERE.  If you would prefer a video, you can go HERE.  (You could increase the top half by .25" so it would cover more to the right when open, and set further to the right when flat.  It would extend .25" over the bottom part.  It would still fit in a 5.5" square envelope.)  I may try that next time myself.

The bottom cardstock is 5"x5" Bazzill Basics Blissful from their Blissful Trio collection.  The next layer (for the card front) is Neenah Classic Crest Solar White cardstock stamped with my Mega Mount and Impression-Obsession Cover-A-Card Pine inked with SU Old Olive.  I used snow behind the family that I had left over from another project.  I had stamped Cover-A-Card Dots on Neenah CC Solar White Laid CS with VersaMark, added Deco Art Crystal Glamour Dust, and heated it to set.  The layers were torn to give a snow drift effect. Then it was layered onto the Pine as shown.

I stamped Impression Obsession Snow Family Fun using Brilliance Galaxy Gold ink on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White cardstock.  They were painted with Twinkling H2O's, cut them out, turned them over on my Pergamano embossing mat, embossed their caps, scarfs, and buttons with a stylus, and then layered them on top using 3D pop dots as shown.  I added Glossy Accents to their buttons, coal, and carrot noses. :-)  Viva Decor Ice White Pearl Pen was added to the dots on the little snow-girl.

To finish off the bottom, I used the pine boughs from Impression Obsession's Clear set Winter View, by Alesa Baker on Neenah CC Solar White.  The image can also be purchased in red rubber as Pine Garland Border.  I used a Spellbinders Fancy Tags One die for the sentiment.  The sentiment is from Impression Obsession's Clear set Swirl Tree.  The pearls are Oriental Trading Post 7mm pearls.  The star pin is from aking Memories Mistletoe Deco Pins.  (I altered it in the photo because it looked gray when it really is a pearly white.  :-)

So that's all for now.  If you want to play, you have until this Wednesday night at 10:00 p.m.  The theme is No Patterned Paper and you could wind a $25 Gift Certificate for the online store.  You can get the detials by going HERE.

Hope you are having a great week!!  Thanks for stopping by to look and say hi!!

 Shirley

Supply List:

Meet You At The Mistletoe

Okay, I have to admit, I am in love with A2 Twisted Easel cards.  HERE is my pictorial tutorial.   I also love Flourishes stamps and was looking for the Sunflower set when I found their Mistletoe sets.  The main site was out of the Sunflower and I found it and the others HERE.  It was a great buy and free shipping over $60.  She also has a great selection of dies for Cherry Lynn, Heartfelt Creations, Joy Crafts, Maryanne Creatables, and Nellie Snellen.  I have hunted all over for these in the states.  The service was extra fast.   She is in Las Vegas and I am in NC.  I had them in 3 days.  If you find what you want, tell her I sent you.


For my main image and sentiment, I used Flourishes Christmas Candles.  For the border trim and the bottom sentiment I used Flourishes Meet Me Under The Mistletoe.  All were done on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White cardstock.  All were stamped with StazOn Jet Black and painted with my Niji waterbrush and Twinkling H20's. I stamped the candle twice, cut them out, turned them over on my Pergamano embossing mat, embossed the bottom and candle with a stylus, and then layered the top over the bottom as shown.  I highlighted the berries on the lamp base with a Viva Decor Ice White Pearl pen.

After the sentiments were stamped they were put through and embossed with the Cuttlebug and Spellbinders Lacey Ovals dies.  The die was used as a stencil and a Round Stencil brush was used with Buttercup Twinkling H20's to do the edge around the sentiments.  In the photo it looks light orange when it is actually a pale shiny yellow!

The card front was done using Bazzill Dotted Swiss Irish Eyes DP as the base.  The Mistletoe border was stamped on Neenah Classic White Solar Crest and then put through the Cuttlebug using their  D'Vine Swirls embossing folder.  The candle and sentiment were mounted on top.  The bottom of the easel was done with the same cardstock and DP as shown.  The supports stops for the twist easel card front are Mark Richards Crystal Sticker 10mm pearls.

May Arts ribbon was wound and then threaded through the loops.  The bows were done with the Bow-Easy.   The stick pin is a corsage pin and Czech beads.  The tiny heart above the 'i' on Merry Christmas was done with Twinkling H2O's Garnet and Glossy Accents.  The lower left hand corner of an envelope was also stamped with the border mistletoe and painted.

This did not take long at all.  I love these sets and will be using them more.  Thanks for stopping by to look and share!!  Have a great weekend you all!!!

 Shirley

Supplies:

It's A Chair Affair!

I know, I have used Impression-Obsession's Fall Serenity image before, but I saw a card HERE, that made me want to use it again!  So this time I stamped the image twice with Stazon-Timber Brown, so I could use one as a base, and painted with Twinkling H2O's Warm Pecan, Buttercup, Dreamsicle, and Ginger Peach.  I always paint with a Niji waterbrush.  (I never spray my pots of color, and I paint directly from the pot.)  I cut both images out.   I turned the painted image over and embossed on a Perganamo embossing mat and embossed with a stylus.  I spot stamped the pumpkin on the chair and the little pumpkin on the floor with a dauber of the Timber Brown.  I painted, cut them out, and embossed them too.

Here was the fun part!  I used my Mega Mount to stamp the upper 'wallpaper' behind the chair with Impression Obsession Cover-A-Card Round Floral, inked with Memento Bamboo Leaves, on SU Saffron cardstock (I think) .   Then I stamped IO Cover-A-Card Wood Grain, inked with Memento Rich Cocoa, on Bazzill Monochromatic Walnut cardstock.

I put a piece of Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80lb. cardstock and Spellbinders largest Lattice Rectangle die though the Cuttlebug.   I then used the same die as a stencil to get the wallpaper and floor.  I left a space in between as the 'baseboard molding'.  These were mounted to the die cut.

A piece of Bazzill Dotted Swiss Clover Leaf cardstock was mounted on white cardstock as the base.  The die, with wallpaper and floor, were mounted on to that.  I used my retired SU Small Horizontal Slot Punch to be able to place the May Arts ribbon. 

3D pop dots were used to mount the chair with pumpkins.  Next the larger pumpkin on the chair and the smaller one on on the floor, that were separately cut out, were mounted with 3D pop dots.  The ribbon was mounted.  I made the triple bow with my Bow-Easy.  I twisted each bow loop in the opposite direction to get the swirly effect.

The stick pin was created using a Maya Road Trinkit Crystal pin with Czech leaf and faux pearl beads added after adding a dab of Glossy Accents onto the shaft.  The pearls on the chair back and skirt ruffle were added using Viva Decor White Pearls.

I hunted forever to find a post for the really simple easel card fold I used to do this step and found it HERE, using white cardstock.  I layered the bottom portion with the Bazzill Dotted Swiss Clover Leaf cardstock, created wallpaper, and more white cardstock.

The sentiment is computer generated.  I didn't have a stamp I liked and didn't want to shop or wait.  I ran it through the Cuttlebug using a Spellbinders Fancy Tags One die.  Then I used my Magic Matter around the die cut.  Of course, I had to turn it over on the Pergamano embossing mat and use a stylus around these edges too.  The Self-Adhesive Pearl Jewels are some I've had a long time from Oriental Trading Post.

That's it for today and I hope you are having a great weekend!  Thanks for stopping by to look and say hi!!!

 Shirley

SUPPLIES:

Old Fashioned Santa Easel Card

It was so hard to get a good picture of this.  I used glitter on the snowflakes and snow on the image in places.  The image, Checking His List by Stamps Happen, Inc., was stamped twice with StazOn Timber Brown .on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80lb. cardstock.  The image was painted with Twinkling H2O's. The first image was cut out, turned over on an embossing mat and used a stylus in the areas I wanted to raise. Then I painted and cut out his Holly crown with Cardinal, arm and hand, squirrel, rabbit, and list, and mounted as shown with 3D pop dots.  Flower Soft Polar White was used for Santa's fur trim.  Viva Decor Pearl White was used for the trim on his sash.  The ribbon is May Arts used with a Bow-Easy.  The pin was made using a Corsage Pear Pearl pin and Czech beads.  I always lay a little bit of Glossy Accents along the pin near the top as I slide each bead on and let it sit.  It holds them in place.

The card measuares 5"X5".  I created the fold using White cardstock according to the directions you can find HERE using my Scor-Pal.

The Background card front is from Bazzill Dotted Swiss Clover Leaf and Irish Eyes cardstock.  The next layer was done using my Mega Mount and Impression Obsessions Cover-A-Card Pine and Stampin' Up Classic Old Olive, with Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80lb cardstock, that was embossed using Cuttlebug Embossing Folder Snowflakes, added off center at the bottom.  Deco Arts Glamour Dust Crystal was added to places on the snowflakes and snow using a Sakura Quickie Glue Pen.

The base is the the same card stock assembly as above.  The Snowflakes are die cuts from Cuttlebug Snowflakes #2 and are highlighted with the same Deco Arts Glamour Dust Crystal added to places on the snowflakes with the Sakura Quickie Glue Pen.  The die is from Spellbinders Fancy Tags Two and cut from Bazzill Dotted Swiss Clover Leaf cardstock.  The die was then used as a stencil on Neenah Classic Crest Solar White for the center. The sentiment is StazOn Blazing Red with Hero Arts Merry Christmas.  Hero Arts says this stamp is limited.  :-(

I have made a 5.25X5.25 box for this card, but I am patiently awaiting more of the Dotted Swiss cardstock to finish it.  :-)

That's my card for now.  I hope you enjoyed.  I am off to try and finish some more for Christmas, so I should be back here soon.  Have a great weekend everyone, and thanks for stopping by to look and say hi!!

 Shirley

SUPPLIES:

Well It's About Time, Shirley

I honestly have to say that the detail in this card is not what has kept me from posting.  I am still working on getting my house ready to sell and that means going through my stash in the garage.  LOLOL

The main image is Hero Arts Friend.  I stamped it with Brilliance Galaxy Gold and thought it would be perfect for layering, so I stamped the flower three more times.  After cutting out each layer, the images were then painted with Twinkling H2O's Lemon Yellow, Mallard Green, Royal Satin, and Pink Grapefruit.  The images were then turned over and a stylus was used on each petal on my Pergamano mat.   Each layer was mounted using 1/16" pop dots.

I did the same thing with each of the flowers and also the leaves.  On the tiniest leaves I used Glossy Accents.  I used 2MM pearls on the large flower and the smaller yellow and purple flowers. 

Mark Richards has quit offering 2MM pearls and I couldn't find them anywhere so I went to EBay and guess what?  I couldn't believe my eyes.  I found I could get 1500 in a little compact for $3.60 from Hong Kong and the shipping was free HERE.  It did take 6 days, but that is nothing when you want something.  LOL No kidding!! I applied them using dots of Glossy Accents (I use this to cement all of my pearls, rhinestones, etc.) and a Sticky Stick, found HERE.  I still buy the other larger ones from craft vendors here.

The smaller of the pink flowers has Liquid Pearl White Opal with a touch of Glossy Accents.  And what do you know, they look like tiny pearls too.  LOL

I used my Martha Stewart Scroll Lace Around The Page Punch for the edge you see.  Bazzill Bling Petty Cash cardstock was used for the mat behind the image.  The image was mounted on it with pop dots and then it was attached to the white punched edge mat.

I wanted a pink design for behind the image so I got out my Impression Obsession Mega Mount and used the Cover-A-Card Circle (5.75X5.75) stamp, added some Ancient Page Pink Pizazz and off I went.  Not only did I have enough paper for the background you see, but I also had enough for the inside of the card and the bottom left-hand edge of the envelope too.  Then I used my Martha Stewart 3-in-1 Butterflies punch to get a butterfly for the main image, attaching (3) 2MM pearls to the middle.  Check the details out in my pictures above and below.

For embellishments to the card I used some 3MM pearls for the edges of the punched edge.  I added a May Arts bow using the Bow-Easy, and the last Nunn Design pin I had like this.  I embellished it with some Stickles Yellow and another 2MM pearl.  The pins are discontinued! :-(

For inside the card and the envelope bottom left hand corner I used a flower from the main image.  I added ink with my sponge dauber for the image and then painted, punched and cut out and there you go.

Supplies:
Image: Hero Arts - Friend - CG111 and Impression Obsession Cover-A-Card Circles - CC012
Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth cardstock, Bazzill Petty Cash
Inks: Brilliance Galaxy Gold, Ancient Page Pink Pizazz, Twinkling H2O's
Accessories: Martha Stewart Scroll Lace Around The Page Punches, Stickles Yellow and Orange Peel Glitter Glue, Glossy Accents, Mark Richards 3mm pearls and 2MM from Hong Kong , Liquid Pearls White Opal, May Arts Ribbon, Bow-Easy, Nunn Designs Stickpin.

A really fun and detailed card. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask. Thanks for stopping by to look and share.

 

 Shirley

 

It's The IO Lazy Days Of Summer Challenge Today

And since I am back at the blog, I decided to submit my card too, along with the IO DT.  My card is pretty straight forward.  It was inspired by many of the cards, using Alesa Baker stamps, I have seen Julie Koerber do on her blog, Out To Impress, and she does!!

The image was stamped with Brilliance Galaxy Gold on 2 pieces of Neenah Classic Crest Solar White CS and then heat set with a heat gun. They were painted with Twinkling H2O's Dreamsicle, Olive Vine, Sweet Thistle, and Warm Pecan (wash to shade background). I trimmed around the best image and mounted over the other one with pop dots. That whole image with background was mounted on a scrap piece of Bazzill Clover Leaf Dotted Swiss. I trimmed around that with scissors, leaving about a quarter inch, letting the edge of the mounted image decide were to cut.

The greeting plaque was stamped by using a dauber for that piece of the stamp. Then it was trimmed around and mounted using ATG 1/4" tape. The faux brads are bead caps I flattened with a bead crimp tool. They were mounted using pieces of ATG tape and Mark Richards 2MM pearl stickers were mounted on top using Glossy Accents.

The white matte is Neenah Classic Crest Solar White text weight paper created using Martha Stewart's Eyelet Lace Around The Page punches. The image was mounted on top as shown.

To create the background mattes I ran a piece of SU Apricot Appeal through my Cuttlebug using the dots embossing folder from Just My Type around the edges. I mounted another piece of Bazzill Clover Leaf Dotted Swiss that had the corners punched using the Eyelet Corner Punch.

I really like the SU small slot punch, but it doesn't reach far enough, so I punched out a 'slot' with it and then drew the slots on my CS where I wanted to put my ribbon through. Then I used my X-Acto knife to cut them out. Didn't take that long at all.

I mounted May Arts ribbon and used the Bow-Easy to create the bow. I glued Mark Richards 2MM and 5MM to the eyelets and corners of the Dotted Swiss cardstock as shown, using Glossy Accents. What you see next to the card is the corner of the handmade envelope stamped with the bud image. Below you can see what I did with the envelope's flap edge and also the image stamped and painted inside the card.

SUPPLIES:
Stamp: Stampassions: Summer Thyme Bouquet by Shara Reiner.
Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth 80lb. cardstock and text weight for the punched edges, Bazzil Bling, Stampin' Up and Anna Griffin.
Inks: Brilliance Galaxy Gold, Twinkling H2O's Cherry Sorbet, Heavenly White, Orange Peel, Dreamsicle, Cool Waters
Accessories: Glossy Accents; Deco Art Glamour Dust; 1/8" pop dots, Heart button, Mark Richards 2mm pearl stickers, Martha Stewart Double Loops Punch Set and EK Success Paper Shaper Butterfly punch.



You should also take at look at the wonderful cards that the IO DT did and the other cards the customers are entering for a chance at the $25 Gift Certificate.  See the IO DT cards at their blogs below:

First take a look at the Design Team's creations:

• Daniela Dobson
• Dina Kowal
• Jeanne Streiff
• Jenny Gropp
• Julie Koerber
• Kathy Menzies 
• Rosemary Marino

And now take a look at the beautiful cards the customers are entering for a chance to win a $25 Gift Certificate by going HERE.  For those of you who are new to IO Blog Challenges, follow the guidelines below and you too can get a chance to win the $25 Gift Certificate for free stamps of your choice in IO's online store:

• Challenges are held the First and Third Thursdays of each month, unless otherwise noted.
• Please use at least one Impression Obsession stamp.
• Please provide the name(s) and/or stamp number(s) of IO stamps only with your email to me.  If you have a problem finding this information, sometimes I can help.
• Let me know if you want me to post on the IO blog, using only your blog with hyper-link, or both, etc. 
• Entries will be accepted until that Saturday 9 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
• Email your entry to me using the Email Shirley link provided near the top of the second sidebar to the right on the IO blog.
• All participants' cards will be posted the way you choose the day they are entered.
•  Cards with only all IO Stamps will permanently be added to the IO Customer Album in the very next sidebar over.
• ALL participants in the current challenge will be entered in the drawing for the Impression Obsession $25 Gift Certificate. We use Random.org to select the winner.
• It is for use at our ONLINE STORE.

  

Don't forget a list of our challenges is on the sidebar to the right.  If you have questions, please don't hesitate to ask.  So get busy out there!!  Stamp up a Lazy Crazy Day of Summer card and send  it to me.  Hope your week is starting out great!!  Thanks for stopping by to say hi!

 

 Shirley

 

It's Me Again!

Well, I started to design a card and when I got to the Designer Paper I couldn't decide between two, so I did some of each. 

My image is from Stampassions. The designer is Shara Reiner. Isn't it whimsically wonderful. It was stamped with Brilliance Galaxy Gold and I colored it with Twinkling H2O's.  I high lighted the flowers with Glossy Accents and Deco Art Glamour Dust.

(As of the end of June, or by CHA anyway, they are going to be sold now by Creative Imaginations. There are less colors, but they are more vibrant and they are all in different packaging too.) They will be selling some in 5 gram pots with 6 to a set.  There area also some that are different colors in 10 gram pots and sold separately. They will also have the daubers and the sprays too, again in different containers and the sprays do not clog.)  They sent me some samples (LUCKY ME) and I am going to do some projects with them soon.

The image was framed with Bazzill Bling cardstock.  The edge was done with Martha Stewart corner and border punches.  The ribbon is from Michaels and the button is too.   Mark Richards 2mm pearls were used in the holes of the button.  The butterfly is also an MS punch.  I used Glossy Accents on the dots and applied Deco Art Glamour Dust.  What you see next to the card is the envelope.  It was done using a dauber to ink the image and then painted as shown.  Below is what I did with the inside and envelope:

Below is how I did the other card using different DP.  Same color, but different shades of pink and design on the paper too! 

SUPPLIES:
Stamp: Stampassions: Summer Thyme Bouquet by Shara Reiner.
Paper: Neenah Classic Crest Solar White Super Smooth 80lb. cardstock and text weight for the punched edges, Bazzil Bling, Stampin' Up and Anna Griffin.
Inks: Brilliance Galaxy Gold, Twinkling H2O's Cherry Sorbet, Heavenly White, Orange Peel, Dreamsicle, Cool Waters
Accessories: Glossy Accents; Deco Art Glamour Dust; 1/8" pop dots, Heart button, Mark Richards 2mm pearl stickers, Martha Stewart Double Loops Punch Set and EK Success Paper Shaper Butterfly punch.

Well I think that just about covers everything.  I hope your weekend is turning out great and I'll see you back here soon.  Thanks for all of your emails to say hi and for stopping by to look and share.

 Shirley

It's A Green Thing

Challenge that is!!  It IO Thursday and time for a Green Card Challenge....and Green either brings to mind Irish, St. Patrick's Day or broccoli.  Hee hee!  As you can see, I thought a little bit about the Irish and also about love.  The Fountain of Love., since Valentine's Day is just around the corner.

The image is Valentine Fountain by Leigh Hannan over at Impression Obsession.  I stamped it with Brillianced Galaxy Gold on Neenah Solar White, and painted it with Twinkling H2O Moss Green.  Highlights are Stickles Lime, Mark Richards pearls, and Glossy Accents.

The frame is Scalloped Fram by Splellbinders with Neenah Natural cardstock.  The ribbon is May Arts and the bow was done with the Bow-Easy.  The little wing on top was attached with a Glueo-Dot.  Shamrock, right? The heart is a button from my stash.

The background is Bazzill Dark Green Polka Dot cardsstock stamped with the Impression Obsession Mega Mount and their Cover A Card Hearts with Brilliance Galaxy Gold.  I used Bazzil Bling behind that..
Below is a list of the Impression Obsession Design Team so you can raeally be inspired:

• Daniela Dobson
• Dina Kowal
• Jeanne Streiff
• Jenny Gropp  ( Will be posted around 11 a.m. EST)
• Julie Koerber
• Kathy Menzies
• Rosemary Marino

If the rest of you would like to enter the challenge and the fun, here are the guidelines:

• Impression Obsession stamps only please.
• Please provide the name(s) and/or stamp number(s) with your email to me.  If you have a problem find this information, sometimes I can help.
• Entries will be accepted until this Saturday at midnight.
• You email your entry to me using the Email Shirley link provided near the top of the second sidebar to the right.
• All participants' cards will be posted on the IO blog and also permanently in the IO Customer Album in the very next sidebar over.

The drawing will be the following day, on Sunday, for the  Impression Obsession $25 Gift Certificate, to be chosen from those customers participating in this challenge. I will be using Random.org.  It is for use at the ONLINE STORE. The Winner will also receive the "I'm A Winner at Impression Obsession" blinkie.  It appears at the top of the IO sidebar to the right of their post column.

Another note, before closing, about the IO blog.  The albums have hundreds of cards and each one has a link to the stamp in the IO online store.  What a place to spend a while.  Thanks for stopping by to look and share everybody!

 

 Shirley