2 More Christmas Cards

 Hi there! Today I've got 2 cards to show you. Both cards feature sentiments from Papertrey Ink's Happiest of Holidays stamp set. I also used the Fabulous Frames die for both cards. On this first card I used some PTI New Leaf patterned paper and I dug around in my stash and found a tin of Prima Holiday Poinsettias (which also contains some lovely holly). Quick easy card right?

The next card I used a few of the patterned papers in the Scarlet Jewel patterned paper pack and tied on some gold ribbon. Another quick one but I really like how it came out.
Okay... Have a wonderful day!

There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays

Well I finally am back to share 2, yes 2 cards. One Christmas and one Thank You card. I made this first one with a PTI set called Winter Hills. Best thing about that set is aside from the wonderful images it has such a variety of sentiments for all kinds of occasions - total bonus. With that said, I was flipping through my stamps and wanted to use this wonderful sentiment from an older PTI set called Home for the Holidays (a holiday addition to the Boards & Beams set). It just seemed so perfect with a little Fine Linen gingham patterned paper. I colored the image with some Prismacolor pencils and distressed the edge of the image with my fingers. Pretty simple card but I am pleased with it.



Now onto the Thank You....

We had a lovely visit from my husband's Aunt on Monday. She is such a wonderful woman and the very best house guest ever. And she never comes empty-handed as she is impeccably good-mannered as well. A few bottles of wine and the most wonderful rooster tin sculpture. I'm in love with him. I need to snap a pic to share. At any rate I needed to thank her for said Rooster (kicking myself I didn't purchase that fabulous On the Farm set PTI came out with a few months back - that Rooster in the set would have been the ultimate in appropos thanking!) and came up with this card. I don't know if you can see the yellow in the background patterned paper but that is what dictated my choice of a mustard ink for the main image here. I originally tried the "red" ink I used in the card above but it wasn't a good match. The sentiment image is from Tagged Sentiments. (That patterned paper is from my very old stash of Chatterbox papers - sigh - I loved Chatterbox....)
Okay now back to folding laundry... Have a good one!

Christmas Cards: Door Wreath

I was playing around with the 2012 Holiday Tag set from Papertrey. I am in love with the wreath in the set. And I decided it needed a door. I've seen some really nice door dies in my travels on the internet but I never bought one. So I had to make my own. Or at least my concept of a door. Anyhow, this is what I came up with using the wreath stamp, some Scarlet Jewel cardstock and patterned paper, as well as the Think Big Favorites #20 (I love the design of this sentiment) all from Papertrey Ink. Oh yeah - I decided to cut a hole in the stamped wreath image so I used a circle Nestabilities.Oops forgot the sentiment is stamped on the PTI Christmas Label die. Such a pretty shape dontcha think?
Hoping you have a fun Saturday! Thanks for stopping by.

You Are Just 2 Sweet - Thank You

I needed a thank you card for a friend and made an attempt yesterday - an hour later, sewing machine taken apart... I had to stop. So today - new day - try another card idea and no sewing machine (i'll have to deal with mine later) and I came up with this card. I kinda like it. Sometimes me and mixing patterns don't mix. But Idunno - I do kinda like it.  I used PTI's Tagged Sentiments and a StampinUp set Mixed Bunch. I stamped the little flower from Mixed Bunch in both ink and Versamark and I like that combo. The gingham patterned paper is from the Fine Linen patterned paper pack. Oh yes - I did use the Limitless Layers circle collection from PTI to cut out the circle and scalloped circle. Ok ... off to see about some ironing (I know... that's not fun!)

Tags as Gifts

so after seeing Dawn McVey's wonderful tag set (giving tags as a gift... isn't that a great idea?) I had to give it a try. As time is at a premium these days I thought I might be able to do this quickly - and I did! I did have to overcome the lack of the wonderful Essential Pillow Box die (which is going on my wish list - it would be so handy to have!) by finding a template online.
My pic isn't great but you get the idea. I cut out the template, and used some patterned paper from PTI as well as the 2012 Holiday Tag set. I cut out a few ovals and the scalloped ovals so I could use them on the pillowbox as well as the tags. I stamped the ovals with the image from the Holiday Tag set. Then I assembled the box, wrapped the patterned paper around the box like a belly band and attached the stamped image. Box done.
For the tags I cut out a few of PTI's tag sale #6. Cut some more of the patterned paper and some coordinating cardstock and attached those to the tags. I stamped the "peace love joy" as well as the little design image in a matching color ink  and all I had to do was glue on tag reinforcer (that comes with the tag die) and I was done.
Really a very quick little project and sooo cute!
I want so much to have a little more time to make MORE tags. Right now I need to run along. Thanks for looking and if you're in the path of Hurricane Sandy (the winds are ripping outside and I'm hoping we keep our power on....) stay safe.

It's October and I've made a Christmas card!

I know.. it's absolutely shocking. But given the way things are goin round here I thought I'd better try to start as soon as possible. And believe it or not this card took 10 minutes. I know. Another shocker. I may actually be getting good at this. Reminds me when I was in school in drawing class and we'd have a model and the drawings were timed. 5 minutes... change pose. 5 minutes... another pose. But drawing and card making are quite different LOL. So on with the card. I wish I could recall whose card I saw where they were stamping off using this same set: Mistletoe & Holly from Papertrey Ink. I just can't for the life of me remember whose card I saw but it stuck with me. I do like the effect stamping off gives and I think it can give some nice depth. But in the end I actually decided to use two colors for the holly leaves LOL! Then stamped the sentiment (which is from Happiest Of Holidays - also Papertrey Ink) and the leaves. And voila.. card done. I think I'm going to make a few of these :-)

Fastest card I've ever made

I have a tendency to take a very long time making cards. "Long" is a relative term I suppose however in my case "long" means over an hour... sometimes even longer. I don't think I'm alone here - but I also think there are those who don't take near that amount of time. This tendency is problematic for me these days. I have zero time for crafting. I'm making anything in stolen moments (heck I'm writing this blog in a stolen moment ;-)). My scrapbooking progress would have totally stalled if I hadn't switched over to a different method (something like Project Life - using divided page protectors where I just slide in the pics). But card making - well that's a totally different animal. The other day I needed a fast - and I mean fast - anniversary card. I could've broken down and .....eek - bought a card from a store. That would just kill me given my little craft room is filled with endless stamps and card making materials. Anyway, I had a stamp set from Papertrey that I'd purchased fairly recently and knew I would use for the card. I picked out a couple of Papertrey dies and some patterned paper and cardstock and I made this card in probably 10 minutes. Really! Now it is a very simple card but you know - I like it. (I should say the card was for a 2nd wedding anniversary - hence the 2). And I'm not sure what creation I'd have come up with given more time but I'm pleased and I know the recipients will be satisfied - what more can I ask?  Okay.. stolen moment over. Gotta get back to my real life ;-) Thanks for stopping by.

You can't have enough candy corn

well of course you can (and you can become quite nauseated but I digress) but you can't have enough Candy Corn on Halloween Cards now can you? Here's another card using that adorable stamp I received from my friend June. I recently had a visit from one of my cousins who was traveling south from NY to Sea Island, GA. I hadn't seen her in so long - was a wonderful visit. And conversation over lunch turned to candy corn (what? you don't discuss candy corn? well we do!) I never knew she was a candy corn lover (it is, apparently, the only vegetable she eats... I will add here I love almost every vegetable there is.. including candy corn). So I made her this card as a little thank you for making a side trip to visit us. I used Papertrey Ink's Tremendous Treats: Halloween as well as the Tag Sale #6 die (which I'm currently in love with) - the pumpkin, as well as the background, is colored with Copics (coloring those candy corns is therapeutic as well as non-caloric). Hoping to be back tomorrow to post another card I managed to make the other day (in about 10 minutes which is a stinkin record for me!)
Have a good one!

Having Cards on Hand

I was quickly writing a Thank You to someone who helped me out today and I thought I'm gonna take a pic of this card (before I send it out the door). I don't think I posted it before - using some Papertrey Ink stamps. But it got me thinking. You know I just love making cards - it just makes me happy ya know? I love the whole thing - the stamps, the inks, the paper and cardstock. But a wonderful bonus is that you get to send these little creations out into the world and hopefully brighten someone elses day. You share what you make. In the case today - well I was dealing with some issues for my Mom and the person on the other end of the phone was such a delight - with a couple of quick moves on her part she made my afternoon turn around. For her it was a simple thing - but to me it made my life so much easier - I'm sure you've all had this kind of experience. Anyhow I thought I'm gonna send this woman, whom I probably will never ever meet, a thank you card to let her know her small gesture was a big deal to me. I'm hoping the card will brighten her day :-) Just sending it is making me feel very happy. Have a good one!

An Anniversary Card

Pausing the Halloween action for today - and posting an anniversary card.
Mine.
For my husband of 28 years.
Where did the time go?
I used all Papertrey products (Love & Marriage stamp set; Fine Linen Patterned Paper pack; ClassicKraft and True Black Inks).
Okay - that's all for now. Thanks for stopping by!

My Favorite Vegetable

Candy Corn. I love it. I know it's just a sugar extravaganza... I love it anyway. As much as I just plain think its yummy (when fresh of course - cos no one wants to eat stale candy corn) it's very nostalgic for me as well. (Watch out-this is going to be one of those "I hiked 10 miles in the snow to get to school" moments) When I was a kid Halloween was different. People made things like caramel popcorn balls  and candy/caramel apples to give out to trick-or-treaters. We'd make up Halloween bags and fill them with candy to give out.  I remember many a Halloween afternoon stuffing bags with candy to hand out. 

Vintage Trick or Treat Bags

Some houses gave out full size candy bars instead (they were enormous!) - and even if you got the "snack size" they were 2 or 3 times the size of the ones you buy now. Oh and the actual "trick-or-treating" itself went on for hours. We'd take a pillowcase and go from house to house to house gathering ridiculous amounts of candy. Oh and parents didn't need to go along. Ah. those were the days. Nowadays - well its just different. I think my kids would say they had wonderful Halloweens - filled with homemade costumes, pumpkin carving, and endless candy gathering.... but for me it just wasn't the same. Ok, I'm done now LOL  

Onto the card - my wonderful friend June gave me the "My Favorite Vegetable is Candy Corn" stamp for my birthday a few weeks ago. Isn't it just the cutest stamp? I wanted to make her a Thank You card but I really wanted to use the stamp to show her how much I loved it (and her). The vampire is from PTI's Tremendous Treats: Halloween set. I made the background paper using the candy corn stamp from the same set and coloring it in with Copic and Zig Markers. The tag is a PTI die - Tag Sale #1. Okay - I gotta get moving on the day. Hope you have a good one!

More Halloween!

I promised I'd be back with another Halloween card didn't I? Yup I did. So here ya go - wish the pic was a bit better but ... you'll have to look hard but I stamped the background with Versamark and clear embossed those spider webs (as well as the wee spider in the right corner). All products are Papertrey Ink (I'm particularly in love with that squiggly die - called Loop De Loop - its just so cute and I couldn't resist using it as the same kind of squiggle was in the patterned paper). I'm hoping to be back again tomorrow to share another card. Thanks for stopping by ~

Halloween cards

I've been busy. Obviously ... no posts in a month. But this past weekend I got the chance to make some Halloween cards! Yay... so fun. So thought I'd take a quick minute and share one today. Isn't that cat the cutest? And he's a dead ringer for my younger boy cat, Westley. Seriously. He looks just like this stamp from Papertrey! All the supplies are PTI (well cept the embroidery floss) oh yeah - i colored the cat using Prismacolor pencils.
Ok - gotta run - hopefully i'll be posting more cards over the next few days. Thanks for stopping by ~

More with Mr. Bones

Thought I'd post another card I made with Papertrey's Mr. Bones stamp set. Isn't he the cutest juggler you've ever seen? I used the coordinating die set as well as the Take Three Die to cut out that rounded edge square at the bottom. Hope you're having a great day!

It was a dark and stormy Sunday

yes, I'm back. I've really been here, wanting to post but too many other things going on. And today, since it is indeed a dark and stormy day, and having gotten a few things off my list for the weekend, I decided to make some cards and post here - YAY!
In the last few weeks there's been work and a nice weeklong vacation to the beach house. And since then, when I've had a few minutes, I was scrapping our vacation. I've been using divided page protectors for a few years now (WeRMemory Keepers and Project Life) - and it really makes it easy and fun. I still have a boat load of scrapbooking to do but I'd say the last two years I've gotten in books right away so not too bad. (we shan't discuss the other 25 plus years of photos still in boxes - less several books on my kids... its a never ending project but I do love it so!)
Ok - so on to the cards - which came together in no time at all - thanks to stamps from my two favorite-ist stamp companies: Purple Onion Designs and Papertrey Ink! The large background like stamp is  one of the Noteblock stamps from Purple Onion Designs. And that skeleton, spider web and the cute little spider are from the Mr. Bones set from Papertrey. (Mr. Bones was cut out using the coordinating die set). I added a little hand drawn little line from the web to the spider. I had cut out 4 of the little Mr. Bones, stamped them, and just sat back and smiled - he is just so darned cute!
I'll be posting a lot of Halloween cards in the next few weeks - can't start too early for all the fun fall holidays right? Hope you're enjoying the day - have a good one!

Another birthday card

yes another birthday card - for a dear male family friend. I do make other kinds of cards but I do send a lot of birthday cards! And I know I am stuck on this one image - that "sending Birthday wishes" there in the center (from Papertrey's 2012 Birthday Tags set - it's just so pretty! And admittedly very generic and versatile right?) -I'm definitely getting my money's worth out of this set. I also used the Mat Stack 5 collection as well as the coordinating dies, Limitless Layers oval and Half & Half dies. The patterned paper is from the Fine Linen paper pack - also all from Papertrey.
I made a few more birthday cards yesterday - and I've been preparing for our beach vacation coming up beginning this weekend. I cannot describe how much I need this vacation! I've downloaded some books and I've got a book waiting for me at the beach house (one of my sisters-in-law is leaving it for me - she's a peach!) and I shall be a fixture on that wonderful stretch of sand with my Nook!  I hope you all have a wonderful week!

It kinda looks like a quilt

do you agree?
I'd wanted to play with my Papertrey Happy Hexagons and Coverplate: Hexagon die over the last few days. I'd had a little trouble using the die itself with my Big Shot but once I pulled out my old reliable Cuttlebug - I didn't have a problem. Once I got that die cutting problem worked out I was off and running.
The stamps and die make me think of quilts - specifically a quilt my grandmother made - it was one of those yoyo style quilts -gorgeous and completely handsewn. Regardless - quilts have fascinated me for years. I've drawn them so I figure a paper quilt would be fun to try.
I stamped with a navy blue ink on Fine Linen cardstock then cut off a few rows and mounted that (with some foam tape) on a cardbase of Fine Linen. Then I cut out the die using white cardstock and added a few rows to the top of the card - and stamped on those white hexagons using another stamp from the Happy Hexagon set. Finally I stamped one of the sentiments from the set onto a diecut banner. I really like the white against the Fine Linen - it kinda crisps the whole thing up - kind like white sheets on a bed withh a pretty quilt topping it off. Okay - thats' all for today - hope you have a good one!

I like bright happy colors but....

find myself using a lot of the same, monochromatic color schemes in my card making (and my clothes come to think of it ... hmmm.... well I guess that makes sense huh? but i digress ;-)) As I was thinking about this - I also needed to make a few "hello-how-are-you-I'm-thinking-about-you" kinda cards for a few Aunts that are special to me. So I thought let's get out the colors and make somethin pretty and cheery for them. I pulled out Papertrey Ink's Stitches and Swirls stamp set which I thought would work nicely and found inspiration on Nichole Heady's blog (which is probably the most ridiculously inspiring place to visit as far as stamping goes... if you can't get some ideas there well ... I don't think your eyes are looking at your computer screen k?) I also pulled out the Fillable Frames Sentiments set, and the Fillable Frames #9 die (cute little tag die that coordinates with the sentiments set). I like how they turned out and I definitely fit the "cheery" bill I was goin for.
On another note - I've been busy with this and that - work, home stuff, and I'm working on getting a recent pile of pics scrapbooked so not so much cardmaking going on. I do have one other card I made I'll be back with tomorrow.
Oh one final thing - anyone have any good books they've read lately? I'm heading to the beach in a week :-) and need to fill up the Nook....

Make it Monday #73 Round 2

I intended to get back here yesterday but...  best laid plans and all. I don't know about where you live, but here in Northern Virginia, it's hot. Prediction for today is 102. I've had about enough. And apparently we will get a break in this non-stop heat fest come Monday. In the meantime we're going to have to think cool thoughts ;-) On to the card (thank goodness right?) I needed a card for a male friend and I like the combo of blue and Fine Linen. I used some Fine Linen patterned papers, the Super Stars Border die, Limitless Layers Ovals die, and Half & Half die. I stamped the sentiment (from Tagged Sentiments set) on the patterned paper with some Night of Navy ink (StampinUp) and I wasn't liking the strength of the color - it wasn't dark enough. I tried a few other times and realized that was as dark as I was going to get it. I didn't want to use black as my cardstock (Enchanted Evening) was blue. So what to do? I took the piece of cardstock and covered it in Versamark then clear embossed it - it pumps the color up just a bit and I liked how it came out. It can be a little hard on the fingers heat embossing a piece of cardstock that is completely covered in embossing powder so here's a little tip for you. I took a scrap strip of  cardstock and ran some repositionable adhesive over one half of it. Then I attached that to my EP covered oval - that strip of cardstock becomes a handle to hold your EP covered item. No more burned fingers. If you've figured this out before me - cheers to you! But I've been heat embossing for probably 15 years and this just occurred to me!  Ok - I need to get some weeding done before the heat becomes intolerable. Have a good one!

Make it Monday #73 Stamping on Patterned Paper

 I finally had a little time to play around with my stamps and decided to try the Make it Monday. I love these challenges especially when I need to make a card - gives me a bit of a kick start - ya know? So I had some scraps from last week's challenge where I used Papertrey's Giga Guide Lines to make a background. I used the scraps and added some tiny Raspberry Fizz cardstock circles to coordinate with a flower I made using the Bloom Builders #3 die (I cannot wait to make some of these flowers for some fall cards - it looks like a big fat chrysanthemum to me). I also wanted to use that raspberry color as it would also coordinate nicely with the patterned paper (from the Polka Dot Parade paper pack). I stamped a tag (Fillable Frames #9 mini stamp set) and then chose a sentiment from the Fillable Frames sentiment set. I also added a button to the flower with a little embroidery floss.
I managed to make another card for this challenge so I'll be back tomorrow to share that one. Have a good one!