First Post of the New Year and Some Cards

Happy New Year everyone!! I know I am four days too late but I think that is still okay to say, right?

You can hear echoes on my blog over the past month. The holidays kicked my butt and if that didn't take up my time, Charlotte wound up being sick right before Christmas and stayed out of school for a couple days.

Our Christmas was wonderful and we spent time with some of my family. Is it weird that I want to share this with you? I should have posted last week and it might be more relevant!!

Char in front of our tree before we unwrapped our presents. I didn't even gussy up my daughter and my husbands present as I usually do. I only did it for friends as I just didn't have the energy. I think I am going to wrap as I go along next year. Anyone do this?

Me and Charlotte at my sister's house. Trying to just be and not bother if the "perfect" photo is taken of me or not. One of my good friend's lost their mother last week and it just hit home having the photos is more important then looking perfect!

My nephews and niece with Charlotte.

I bought the game "Shut Your Mouth" and we had so much fun playing it with the family on Christmas day. Nothing but laughs!! I even have my Dad on video and it is something I will cherish!!

Charlotte and my niece. Cannot believe how grown up they are!!

Now for some cards!! To be honest, I have NOT been creating in a prolific way as of late. Me and my mojo had not been meeting up at the same time. When I wanted to create something, I didn't have the time. When I had the time, my mojo was no where to be found. I did do A LOT of shopping but THAT is a whole different post!

Anyway, on Monday I created a couple cards for some sketch challenges but as I always do, I never photographed them in time to submit. I decided to post them anyway.

I created this card using Freshly Made Sketches #268 as my inspiration.

I know, I know, it is a Christmas card BUT in my defense, I only created about five holiday cards this Christmas and decided I was not going to wait to the last minute to make Christmas cards in 2017. I used up ALL of the photo cards I ordered that I send out to close family/friends this year and resorted to having to send out some pre-made cards to a few people and was horrified! I also wanted to use this stamp set from Hero Arts called "Kelly's Noel." I bought it in November 2015 and NEVER INKED IT UP!!

Another thing I decided to start doing is to use patterned paper more on my cards. I have a ton but for some unknown reason in my head, I hoard it!! This paper is "Merry Little Christmas" from My Mind's Eye that I "think" I bought last year? I only have about ten 6" by 6" pads full of Christmas paper so who knows!!

I love the pink and green together. I think this kind of Christmas card is good because it is simple enough to be able to do in assembly line style and rather flat so it mails well.

For my next card, I used a sketch #157 from "Match the Sketch" Challenge Blog.

I used the Simon Says Stamp "Time for Wine" stamp set and dies that has been sitting on my desk for months.

I decided to experiment with my Zig Clean Color Real Brush Markers for these fun images. I then covered many of them with Spectrum Noir Clear Sparkle Marker and Glossy Accents. The Glossy Accents made the color run a bit but I think it looks kind of cool.

I used some Heidi Swapp patterned paper that I have been saving for the background. I like the black with the purple. The sentiment is from Paper Smooches "Free Spirits" stamp set. I needed something small enough to fit on the end of the flag and this was perfect.

I adhered one wine glass and the leaf with foam adhesive and the rest of the stamped images with Ranger Multi-Matte. The sequins were my last touch. I actually was only going to use three BUT I got a black smudge on the white banner where the big sequin is to the right. The addition of yet another sequin covered the boo boo right up!!

I love how this card came out and will share another card I created with this same set tomorrow.

Well, that is all from me tonight. I thank you for taking the time to stop by my blog. As always, your visits are appreciated.

Have a FABULOUS night!!

Card #1:
Stamps-"Kelly's Noel" by Hero Arts
Inks-"Soft Green," "Green Hills," "Bubble Gum" and "Red Royal" by Hero Arts
Dies-My Favorite Things "Pierced Square Stax" and "Blueprints #13"
Paper-Paper Trey Ink "Sweet Blush" card stock, Neenah Solar White card stock, My Mind's Eye "Merry Little Christmas" 6" by 6" paper pad
Other-Big Shot, Glossy Accents, Spectrum Noir Clear Sparkle Pen, sequins

Card #2:
Stamps-"Time for Wine" by Simon Says Stamps, "Free Spirits" by Paper Smooches
Dies-"Time for Wine" by Simon Says Stamps, "Fishtail Flags" by My Favorite Things
Paper-Neenah Solar White card stock, "Favorite Things" 6" by 6" paper from Heidi Swapp
Ink-Ranger Archival Black, Paper Trey Ink Smokey Shadow
Other-Zig Clean Color Real Brush Markers, Ranger Multi-Matte, Big Shot, sequins, Crystal Spectrum Noir

CAS-ual Fridays Stamps Snowflake Inspiration

It is Christmas Eve and my turn over at the CAS-ual Fridays Stamps Blog for a little inspiration. I created three projects for this post, all using some of the CAS-ual Fridays Stamps snowflake dies and stamps.

My first project I created a thank you card.

I used CAS-ual Fridays Stamps "Bring on the Snowflakes," "Snowy Sayings" and "Thanks" stamp sets for this card. I designed this card to be very simple so that I could easily whip up a ton to write my Christmas thank you notes.

I stamped the snowflakes from both snow sets in green, pink, aqua and lavender inks onto a blue card base. I then stamped the sentiment with black ink. I added a bit of sparkle to the snowflakes with glitter glue that matched the ink colors.

My next project I created for my "Secret Snowflake" I had at work.

I die cut snowflakes put of white paper scraps using the CAS-ual Fridays Fri-dies "Funky Flakes" and "Flurry," dies.

I then inserted die cut snowflakes in a clear envelope, added white flat and star sequins, as well as a gift card, and then fused them at the top. I have never done this technique before and thought the result was cool. I am now going to look at using my dies in fun, new ways.

I created a tag to match, stamping snowflakes from "Bring on the Snowflakes" and "Snowy Sayings" onto the large tag from the CAS-ual Fridays Stamps "Tag Buddies" die set.

Since I was not wrapping this gift up, the inks I used for the snowflakes matched the gift card.

If you like any of the projects here, the stamps and dies can be purchased from CAS-ual Fridays Stamps store. Use my code nora2016 to get a 15% discount.

I thank you for stopping by and wish everyone a magical Christmas!!

Supplies:
Stamps-CAS-ual Fridays "Bring on the Snowflakes," "Snowy Sayings" and "Thanks" 
Dies-CAS-ual Fridays Stamps "Funky Flakes," "Flurry" and "Tag Buddies" Fri-dies
Paper-MFT "Berrylicious"
Ink-Ranger Archival Black, Hero Arts "Soft Pool," SSS "Jellybean," Hero Arts "Bubblegum,"  Hero Arts "Soft Purple," PTI "Summer Sun," PTI "Orange Zest," Hero Arts "Lavender," SSS "Doll Pink"
Other-Stickles "Lime Green," "Turquoise," "Lavender," and "Thistle," Big Shot Machine, Recollection Sequins, Ribbon. We R Memory Keepers Fuse tool

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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.

Calling All Sistahs....

Hello everyone!! It is December 17th and that means another blog hop for Calling All Sistahs!! You should have come from Lydia's blog.

This blog hop is to remind everyone to check your breasts monthly and to remind women to get your yearly mammogram. Michele, the owner of CAS-ual Fridays Stamps is a breast cancer survivor and wants to spread the word on breast cancer awareness, hence our monthly blog hops!!

Don't forget to comment along the way to be eligible for three $15 prizes to the CAS-ual Fridays Stamps Store!!

This month, our theme is to check yourself. I decided to make a simple card for this one.

I started off by cutting a heart out of a pink patterned paper scrap. I then turned the heart upside down and used a circle punch to make a neckline.

Next I adhered a strip of flower patterned paper onto a pink, A2, top folding card. I then adhered a matching 3 3/4" pink panel over the strip.

I then took small scrap pieces of paper, and did a little masking to stamp the sentiment from the "Calling All Sistahs" stamp set. I stamped it on two separate scraps and adhered all of the various pieces across  the card front when I was done.

My last step was to adhere the heart and add some clear rhinestones at the neckline. I really like how this came out being as simple as it is!!

The stamps I used are available at CAS-ual Fridays Stamps. Michele designed these stamps to promote breast cancer awareness and donates 50% of the proceeds from the "Calling All Sistahs" Collection to programs that promote breast cancer research and awarness. For a discount on the stamps, use my code nora2016 to get 15% off your total order at CAS-ual Fridays Stamps.

Your next stop is Vicki's blog.

Thank you for stopping by!! I hope you have a GREAT weekend!!

If you get lost, here is the order of the blog hop OR you can always go back to the CAS-ual Fridays Stamps blog for the order!!

CAS-ual Fridays Stamps 

Penny Ward

Jeanne Jachna

Lori Kobular

Kelly Griglione

Sandi Pressley

Kimberly Rendino

Ceal Pritchett

Lisa Lahiff

Sue Nagata

Lydia Evans

Nora Noll

Vicki Dutcher

Heather North

Inspiration with CAS-ual Fridays Stamps

Happy Thursday!! I hope everyone is doing well. Today it is my turn with CAS-ual Fridays Stamps for a bit of inspiration. To be honest, it was nice to sit down and create something. I have not felt like doing this in a while. I have had ideas in my head but then just cannot get my butt into the craft room to implement them.

The card below is one of the ideas that has been percolating.

I decided to mix two CAS-ual Fridays Stamp sets, "Love Notes," an oldie but goodie, and "Mistletoe and Holly," a recently released Christmas set. I try to do this as much as I can so I can stretch my stamps a bit. The "Love Notes" set was originally a Valentine release but I thought it would be fabulous to use for Christmas.

First I stamped the music from "Love Notes" with gold ink onto white card stock and heat embossed with gold embossing powder.

Next I stamped the sentiment from "Mistletoe and Holly" in clear ink and heat embossed with silver embossing powder.

I then liberally splashed the front with mist spray in gold, cherry and citron mist.

When the card front was dry, I die cut the card front and layered onto a card pink card that I had adhered a gold striped piece of patterned paper.

The last step was to adhere metallic sequins in gold, pink and green over the hearts on the end of the notes. I did not really have to do this but I wanted the notes to stand out a bit more and look more festive then they did. The mist kind of made them blend in too much to the background.

I hope this inspires you to look at your stamps to mix and match them for different occasions.

Want to do a little shopping for yourself for Christmas? Use my code nora2016 over at the CAS-ual Fridays Stamps Store for a 15% discount. Stamps make GREAT stocking stuffers!!

Have a FABULOUS Thursday!!

Supplies:

Stamps-CAS-ual Fridays Stamps "Love Notes" and "Mistletoe and Holly"

Paper-Neenah Solar White, Teresa Collins (gold striped) and PaperTrey Ink "Raspberry Fizz"

Ink-Versamark and Delicata Gold Pigment Ink

Mist-Heidi Swapp "Gold," "Wild Cherry" and "Citron"

Embossing Powder-Ranger "Gold Tinsel" and Crystal Creations "Shimmering Silver"

Other-Sequins, Ranger Multi Matte Adhesive, Scotch Dot Adhesive, Big Shot