A quick hello and a few Christmas Cards

Hello everyone!! It sure is echoing in here. I have just been too busy as of late to craft. I am looking forward to winter break to get back into the craft room and get some stuff done!!

Char turned sixteen this month as well as got her permit four days after her birthday. I cannot believe my baby is learning to drive. Yikes!!

Of course we had two family celebrations as all could not attend the same day so her birthday went on for a couple weeks. Isn't that how it should always be?

This is the second cake with her cousins. These kids were babies just yesterday!!

I wanted to post some Christmas cards that I did make last weekend. I send out home made Christmas cards only to people who made me some. Others get photo cards.

I used my Hero Arts "Layered Christmas Tree" stamps and Christmas paper to create these.

Since I had a ton to do, I used the same basic design. I stamped all the trees using Altenew inks that were in the sets. I then heat embossed over it with Tonic "Shimmering Pearl" embossing powder.

I used Washi tape on the bottom of each tree panel, as well as added some bows with shiny embroidery floss.

I stamped the sentiments on red strips in archival black ink and popped them up with foam adhesive.

I put the card together and then used Stickles in red, gold and green on the tree.

I rarely make cards in an assembly line fashion but this was a lot of fun. On this card, I even used a bold patterned paper. I am not a fan of larger designs but I think it works with this card.

Well, that is all. I thank you for taking the time to stop by.

Day 3 PaperTrey Ink's "Grab and Craft Challenge"

Hello everyone!! I hope you are staying warm this winter weekend. The temperatures are frigid here this weekend. We have had quite a warm winter so I am not complaining. I like the cold!!

I created the project I am going to share for PaperTrey Ink's "Grab and Craft Challenge" that was issued on Day 3 of their reveal. The challenge was that you had five minutes to gather and grab your supplies to make a project. This was not hard for me as I have a huge mess on my desk once again from crafting last week and had a ton of "extras."

I used these bits and pieces to make the card and tag below.

I will admit that I did not exclusively use PaperTrey Ink products on these projects. I was making this for a co-worker that was going through a tough time.

For me, tea is something that represents calm so I chose to use PaperTrey's "Cup of Cheer" stamp and die set for my creations. I also used PaperTrey's "Big Hugs" die, as well as some other dies on the tag.

The yellow paper is a scrap that I had. I am going to start making an effort to use my scraps. I had to clean out a drawer of neutrals today because I could not shut it!!

I thank you for stopping by. Have a wonderful night!

Supplies:

InLinkz.com

CAS(E) This Sketch #141 and the Fusion Card Challenge

Happy Wednesday!! I hope everyone had a great day.

I had the day off due to our school being off for the Jewish Holiday. I did fun things like give the dog a bath, clean the bathroom, taking Charlotte to an eye appointment, shopping, and then folding my MOUNTAIN of laundry. I am great at washing but the folding I always leave until I am out of laundry baskets. (I have 6-yes I am lazy!!) I do hang a lot to dry, which does help.

I also binged watched a show that I meant to watch when it was on this summer but never got the chance. "Mr. Robot" is the name and it is on the USA Network. The main character is just fascinating to me. Socially awkward to the extreme but is SOOO smart. He works for a computer security firm by day but is a hacker by night. He hacks EVERYONE he knows!! The plot is bigger then that but too complicated to explain. Anyway, check it out because it is really good.

Today I am sharing two cards that I made this weekend for two challenges.

The first I created for CAS(E) this Sketch #141. I am actually getting this one in under the wire!! Here is my card:

I received a large order from Scrapbook.com last week and used a lot of products that I had bought on this card. First I stamped the Hero Arts "Graphic Leaves" background onto white card stock with Versamark ink and heat embossed with white embossing powder. I then used distress ink in various yellows and oranges to blend over the background. I LOVE these fall colors and how the white embossing resisted the ink.

I then die cut the panel and adhered it to a brown A2 card. I die cut a kraft banner and inked it with Vintage Photo ink and adhered it to the card front. I then made three loops of yellow twine and adhered that over the banner.

Next I used a sentiment that I cut from my new Pebbles 6" by 6" paper pad and rounded the corners. I adhered it over the banner and the looped twine. My last step was to adhere the sequins like they were on the sketch.

I love that the sketch had the sequin placement on it. I always have such a tough time figuring out where they go.

My second card I created for the Fusion Card Challenge. If yo have not played along before, this is where you can either use the theme, the sketch or both to create a card. Here is the inspiration piece:

I actually chose the blue's and the gold from the peacock plates as my inspiration and did not use the sketch to make my card.

Instead of stamping first, I used Distress ink in different blues to blend over a white piece of card stock. I misted the card with water when I was done to give it a splotchy look. I then used my Hero Arts "Graphic Leaves" background stamp again with Versamark ink and then embossed it with gold embossing powder. I then die cut panel and adhered it to a black A2 card front.

I die cut some banners out of card stock scraps. I embossed a sentiment on one and layered them over each other on the card front. I then made a "nest" of gold thread and adhered that over the banners. I  die cut a leaf out of gold glitter paper and adhered that over the banners and the thread. I then took  some sequins and randomly adhered them to the card.

I have to say that I LOVE this card. Blue is one of my favorite colors and being able to use all my Distress inks was SO FUN. My fingers were covered in blue when I was done. In my book, that is a success!!

I want to thank you for taking the time to stop by my blog today. I hope you have a great night!!

Supplies:

Orange Card

Blue Card

Runway Inspired Challenge #86 and Simon Says Stamp "Anything Goes" Wednesday Challenge

I am attempting to get back into the swing of things after being away for a week. All vacation I had tons of ideas and was itching to create SOMETHING but when I actually have the time to sit at my desk, my mind goes blank. I decided to attempt some challenges to see if that would jump start my creative juices.

Before I crafted, I ate my favorite lunch of rice cakes, peanut butter and bananas. It is so filling and yummy!! I tend to eat a lot of the same things in the summer and eat less of it. My meals are usually easy to make too because I am lazy and I HATE to cook!! That means a lot of grilling for Chris because I am afraid of lighting the grill.

Today I am sharing a card that I used Runway Inspired Challenge #86 as my inspiration. Here is the image that was posted on the blog to use as a starting point.

(photo source)

Here is what I came up with:

I chose to play with the colors in a fun way for the background. I dabbed distress ink in Wild Honey, Mowed Lawn and Dusty Concord on an acrylic block, using each color separately, misted the block with water and then "stamped" it onto a piece of damp watercolor paper in random places. I then would pick the card up and let the colors "run" into each other. The green I used is not as blue as the photo but I liked it better with the other colors.

When the background was dry, I then used the Hero Arts stamp "Highline Chalkboard Background" inked up in black ink and stamped it over the colors. I LOVE how it came out. It looks so cool with the different colors peeking through. I then die cut the paper and adhered it to a white A-2 top folding card. 

I looked at the photo again for the embellishments that I chose to use for this card. I die cut flowers out of purple and gold glitter paper using the "shiny" material as inspiration. I also used a foil paper for the green because I did not have a green glitter paper that matched the colors I used. (or foil paper in the other colors.) I chose to use white leaves and a black banner to break up the bright colors and give your eyes a rest. 

The final additions were sequins from Pretty Pink Posh. I thought I was done and then I noticed the rose colored waistband on the model. I decided to use Stickles in Thistle to make glitter dots inside the sequins. It is not an exact match to the photo but I think that is okay.

As I was making this, I noticed that the colors are a bit Halloween but I like it anyway. I am sending it to my cousin whose house we stayed with for part of our vacation.

Speaking of vacation, here is Char posing for me at The Biltmore in front of a tree on the grounds.

Can you tell her smile is fake? She was so mad at me and did not want to pose for ANYTHING on this trip!!

Here is a flashback Friday photo of her when she didn't mind smiling for the camera. Those were the days!!

I am also entering this into Simon Says Stamp's Wednesday Challenge "Anything Goes."

I thank you for stopping by my blog and viewing my creations. I also want to thank everyone who left such lovely comments on the post that I wrote about saying good bye to my childhood home. I appreciate all your kindness and taking the time to read, as well as comment, on something that does not involve crafting. 

Have a Wonderful Day!!

Supplies:

InLinkz.com