Monday 28 December 2015

Merry Christmas, Mrs W!





You may recall that I have an elderly neighbour that I visit with a couple of times a week. This year, we were thrilled to have Mrs W come to our house for Christmas dinner. We don't formally exchange gifts, but she sent flowers to thank us for hosting her, and I made her a set of 12 cards so she would have some on hand during the year. I used (my previously un-inked) Altenew's Painted Flowers (so easy once you get the stamping guide (look at the photos on the linked page) which I printed and am now keeping in the clear envelope with the stamp set).

I thought I would use my MISTI, but instead opted to have different designs - once you get the hang of it, it is very quick to stamp the roses and leaves.

I made a mixture of birthday, thank you and thinking of you cards in a variety of colours (using both Altenew and Hero Arts Ombre inks - the lightest and darkest shades work really well for these layered flowers!), along with various sentiments from different companies. For that last card, I only stamped the 'darker' layer of the roses so that they look white.

These 4 were my favourites.

Sunday 27 December 2015

FS464 - Thank you!


This week's Splitcoaststampers Featured Stamper is pvilbaum (Pat). I didn't have to look far in her gallery to find the perfect inspiration! This rainbow card spoke to me right away!



I focused on Pat's
-rainbow colour scheme
-white die cut with repeating motif
-sentiment with both script and block text

I changed
-the proportion of the rainbow
-the colour order (although I also started with pink, I went to the orange-yellows next rather than purple and blue)
-placement of the sentiment
-stamped the sentiment onto the rainbow
-size of the card

I used various distress inks to create my rainbow, a Lawn Fawn snowflake die (with Stickles for sparkle!) and a Simon Says Stamp sentiment.

Congratulations, Pat! I hope you enjoy being the Featured Stamper!

ETA: Distress colours in order - Picked Raspberry, Festive Berry, Spiced Marmalade, Mustard Seed, Mowed Lawn, Salty Ocean, Seedless Preserves.

Tuesday 22 December 2015

CASology 178 - Merry


This week's CASology Cue Card is Merry!



In fact, this is a two-week challenge, to give the DT (and you!) a bit of a break over the holidays.

This card is extremely simple - one quick run through the Big Shot with this Memory Box die (borrowed from my friend Lindsey at our last stamping get-together) and simply stamping "Christmas" from Stampin' Up's Endless Wishes - Christmas in Real red. I popped up the panel and edged it with Stardust Stickles for some sparkle.

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Season's Greetings! We'll see you in the New Year!


Monday 21 December 2015

Church Christmas Project - Day 10 (Blessings this Christmas)


Click here for more information about my Church Christmas Card project and a link to my Pinterest board for more cards I made in past years.

Today's card is very CAS (and flat!). A simple white panel stamped with Concord &9th's wreath, Avery Elle's flowers and Papertrey's leaves - I liked that the leaves had a white negative space to give some detail, in the same way that the poinsettias had. I used Hero Arts red and green ombre ink, although it's somewhat difficult to see the variation, due to the small size of the stamps.


Sunday 20 December 2015

FS463 - 70th Birthday


This week's Splitcoaststampers Featured Stamper is cburry, aka Cheri! Cheri has an amazing gallery of cards full of pretty detail and amazing colouring! I chose this card as my inspiration:



I focused on Cheri's:
-colour scheme
-use of slanted, graphic stripes
-pops of red

I changed:
-theme
-reduced images and embellishments
-orientation of the stripes
-size of the card

I used:
-Basic Black (SU!), Smoky Slate (SU!) and Limelight (MFT) cardstock
-MFT pierced square die
-Avery Elle sentiment
-Memory Box number dies
-red copics, Wink of Stella, glossy accents.

Congratulations, Cheri!

Saturday 19 December 2015

MCV33 - Christmas Morn


This is my card for this week's Muse: ChristmasVisions challenge. It's the final one until March. All my cards for this year are out, so I'm getting a head-start on 2016!

Here's the inspiration that Betty provided us:



I focused on Betty's
-nativity image
-general layout
-use of gold dots
-use of piercing around the edge

I used
-Clear and Simple Stamps nativity
-Heart & Soul Rubber Stamp Co sentiment (isn't it wonderful!)
-MFT Stitchable Dots die (inlaid with gold mirror cardstock)
-MFT Pierced circle die (inlaid back into the white panel).

Friday 18 December 2015

Church Christmas Project - Day 9 (Gentle Peace)




Click here for more information about my Church Christmas Card project and a link to my Pinterest board for more cards I made in past years.

Today's card is another of my favourites and also the exception that proves the rule. Most the cards I make for this project are quick, simple and easy to mass-produce. This one was embossed, coloured with copics and then embossed again.

I started by embossing Stampin' Up's Gentle Peace on white panels by stamping it in Versafine Onyx and then embossing with clear powder. I then stacked them up and brought them with me to Tracey's house in October, with the colours of copics I wanted to use. It's the perfect project for an afternoon like that - I started with all the grey, then the yellow and 'skin' and finished with the blues. After all the colouring was done and I was back home again, I cut a mask, covered the image with Versamark ink and then embossed it again with clear powder, so that it really looks glassy.

I also created a variation, by not colouring the blue. I like them both for different reasons - the blue looks like the night sky, with the star shining above, while the white looks so clean. What do you think?



Thursday 17 December 2015

Church Christmas Project - Day 8 (Joy to the World)


Click here for more information about my Church Christmas Card project and a link to my Pinterest board for more cards I made in past years.

Today's card is a case of this card by Mariana. To better suit the needs of my project, I used fewer die cuts and layers and changed to portrait rather than landscape orientation.

Because I'm mass-producing these cards, the designs tend to be simple with few layers and little embellishment. This cream panel was beautiful on its own with the variation in the green ink (Hero Arts Ombre ink), but by adding a double-pierced frame, it has a more 'finished' look. I created the frame by using Avery Elle double-pierced rectangle and an MFT pierced rectangle taped together like this:



I cut the panels after I had stamped everything, so that all the stamping matched up after I laid the inside rectangle back into the frame.

I used two Hero Arts stamp sets to make this - DC169 and CL795. I was so glad I used my MISTI (such a lifesaver for mass-producing cards!) because I did find that on this cardstock, the green ombre ink needed to be stamped twice - in the end it settled in beautifully.

Wednesday 16 December 2015

Church Christmas Project - Day 7 (Merry CHRISTmas)



Click here for more information about my Church Christmas Card project and a link to my Pinterest board for more cards I made in past years

Today's card has a similarity to my previous card - my BossyJoscie sentiment (isn't that cool the way 'CHRIST' is bolded?!) provides the grounding for my Clear and Simple nativity (appears to be retired). I pieced together Real Red, some holographic glitter paper and white before cutting it with an Avery Elle Pierced Rectangle. A Unity Stamp Co snowflake (can't find that stamp either!) adds some interest and balance.

I'm also linking up to this week's Muse challenge, where Michele provided us with this whimsical inspiration:



I focused on Michele's
-colour scheme - red black and white
-colour-blocking
-horizontal band 



Tuesday 15 December 2015

CASology 177 - Toy


This week's CASology Cue Card is Toy!



This Old Island Stamp Company Santa is giving a thumbs up to my nice friend! And you just know he's got toys in that big pack on his back! The sentiment is from MFT's Jingle all the Way.

By placing the image and sentiment in the centre of the card, I've maximized clear space to keep the card feeling clean and simple.

Now it's your turn - make sure you check out the rest of the DT for more inspiration!


Monday 14 December 2015

Church Christmas Card Project - Day 6 (Joy)


Click here for more information about my Church Christmas Card project and a link to my Pinterest board for more cards I made in past years

I think this may be one of my favourites this year. And it's so simple. Two Hero Arts stamps (one wooden, the other from Kelly's Fa La La). I heat embossed the two with silver embossing powder and then coloured in the Joy with two red Zig Clean Colour markers. The colours blended beautifully on the watercolour paper. I didn't add any water (it took me a few tries to figure out that this resulted in the richest colour). The panel was cut with an MFT pierced rectangle die and backed onto SU! Cherry Cobbler cardstock.

Also linking up (again!) to ATCAS Challenge #78 - Joy.

ETA: To Gardener (comment below) - here's a link to the stamp. I was not able to email you directly.

Sunday 13 December 2015

FS462 - Thanks


A very simple thank you card for this week's Splitcoaststampers' Featured Stamper, sixclarks. I chose this card as my inspiration:



I focused on the:
-colour scheme (red, teal, grey)
-heart and flower elements
-general layout
-a tilted focal point (although on looking back at the inspiration, my tilt is the opposite direction!)

I changed:
-use of the heart and flowers
-size of the card
-location of the sentiment
-left off the ribbon and paper 'button'

I used a Simon Says Stamp sentiment and an MFT pierced square die. And some really old, unlabelled stamps for the heart and flowers.

Congratulations! I hope you enjoy your time as Featured Stamper!

Saturday 12 December 2015

MCV32 - Merry Christmas


This is my card for this week's Muse: ChristmasVisions challenge, where Kimberly has given us this sparkly card for inspiration:



I focused on Kimberly's
-colours (red, green and blue)
-sparkle
-black sentiment

I used Uniko's Time stamps and matching dies as my ornaments. I stamped them using Altenew Inks and then coated them in Versamark ink and embossed them with iridescent embossing powder. I added some gold mirror-card dots to the centres. The sentiment is from Rustic Christmas.

Friday 11 December 2015

Muse 145 - Noel


This is my card for this week's Muse Challenge, where Joan has given us this pretty-in-pink card as her final inspiration:



I focused on Joan's
-colour scheme (although I intensified the pink quite a bit - PTI Raspberry Fizz!)
-circle element
-dots
-Christmas greenery (MFT Limelight)
-sentiment

This was a card that came together because of a scrap on my desk. I had cut a white tree from one end of a long thin scrap (I use this tree a lot!) and then, when this embossing folder arrived, I had embossed the other end of the scrap to show Kate how cool it was. When I was tidying up, I came across the scrap and thought how it looked like snow falling on the tree. Ideas come from the funniest places, don't they?

I used
-Simon Says Stamp Mod Tree die
-MFT Pierced Circle die
-WRMK Next Level embossing folder
-unknown sentiment

Thursday 10 December 2015

Church Christmas Project - Day 5 (O Holy Night)


Click here for more information about my Church Christmas Card project and a link to my Pinterest board for more cards I made in past years

Today's card was made very early in 2015 and speaks to the ease of 'sloppy' watercolouring. I started by cutting the top panel in watercolour paper using an Frantic Stamper Tree-line die. I literally pounced various green shades of Kuretake Gansai Tambi onto the trees, not even worrying about the edges (they look like they're snow-covered!). I took a bit more care with the brown trunks. I stamped a Taylored Expressions sentiment from Sing of the King and then attached the white 'half-panel' to a navy panel and sprayed the whole thing with BoBunny Mist in Biscotti. It's very shimmery in real life.


Wednesday 9 December 2015

Church Christmas Project - Day 4 (The Saviour is Born)


Click here for more information about my Church Christmas Card project and a link to my Pinterest board for more cards I made in past years

Today's card is a CASE of Lynn's card from last year. Very simple, in warm colours. I added a 'glow' to this Verve stable (embossed in gold and cut out with the matching die) by masking the arch and sponging in distress inks. Rather than adding an extra brown layer, I used the PTI Sending You die to cut a hole in the cream layer and then popped up the stable directly from the Soft Suede card base.

Tuesday 8 December 2015

CASology 176 - Tree


This week's CASology Cue Card is Tree.



I went a little outside the box and used these 3 Creatiate stamps to build a tree (a la Donna Mikasa here). I stamped the words in Stampin Up Mossy Meadow. I decorated my tree by adding a star from Simon Says Stamp (Lots of Stars) and a little heart that I've lost track of.

Those swoopy, scripty words are pretty fancy, so to keep it CAS, I used straight lights for my layers and minimized any kind of embellishment - just the pierced rectangle die for a finished edge.

Now it's your turn - be sure to check out the rest of the DT for more inspiration!


Monday 7 December 2015

Church Christmas Project - Day 3 (Rejoice)


Click here for more information and a link to my Pinterest board for more cards I made in past years.

One of the things I love about this project is taking the various stamps I have collected over the years (I've done this for about 5 years, I think) and combining them in different ways.

Today's card is a great example of that. I started with a Stampabilities sentiment from Hobby Lobby (my sister always takes me there when I visit her in the US - they often have 'church' sentiments that I can't find in other places). I noticed that the top part of the sentiment provides a perfect 'ground' for my Hero Arts (Greatest Gift - appears to be reitred) stable. To add a pop of colour and shine, I sponged the bottom of the panel with Fired Brick distress ink and the glued a narrow strip of gold mirror card.

Sunday 6 December 2015

FS461 - Daisies


This week's Splitcoaststampers Featured Stamper is Laine Webb. This lady has mad shading skills - her gallery is full of amazing, coloured images!

I chose this pretty daisy card to case:



I focused on Laine's
-theme (daisies)
-pretty background panel in blue and green
-general layout

I changed
-techniques
-fewer layers and embellishments

I sponged a square panel with Salty Ocean, Peacock Feathers and Mowed Lawn. It felt pretty intense, so I wanted lots of white around it. My daisies are Paper Smooches Dainty Flowers 2, with al the 'bits' left in. I coloured the stems with Copics and used Doodlebug sparkly enamel dots for my flower centres.

ETA: Also linking up to Paper Smooches Flower challenge.

Saturday 5 December 2015

MCV31 - Joy


This is my card for this week's Muse: ChristmasVisions challenge where Chriss gave us this inspiration:



And it is a testament to how one small detail can really change how you feel about a card.

I started by cutting a 4x4 black panel and inlaying a Simon Christmas Tree die in white. I then cut a bunch of ornaments using a Stampin' Up Sizzix die and mirror cardstock. I was put it together and it felt blah and dull. Like I had done it before. I didn't have a sentiment and there really wasn't a place to put it that wouldn't throw the panel out of balance. And then inspiration struck! I used an MFT Snowdrifts die to cut an asymmetrical curve, leaving enough room for my simple (unknown) sentiment without sacrificing the graphic look and feel. In fact, I think it enhanced it. Thoughts?

I focused on Chriss'
-colour scheme (white, black with red and gold accents)
-use of white die cuts on a black background
-one word sentiment

ETA: Thanks, Sarah - also linking up to ATCAS.

Friday 4 December 2015

Muse144 - Happy Birthday To You


This is my card for this week's Muse Challenge, where my daughter Kate  has filled in as our 'missing' guest (my fault compeltely!) with this fun little card:



I focused on Kate's
-colourful
-horizontal row layout
-all caps sentiment

I used a Taylored Expression gift border die. I cut it in black and also in white. I coloured each piece of the white cut with copics then coated them with 2 coats of clear Wink of Stella and Glossy Accents. I laid the black outline over top and added this WPlus9 Sentiment.

Thursday 3 December 2015

Church Christmas Project - Day 2 (O Come)


Click here for more information about my Church Christmas Card project and a link to my Pinterest board for more cards I made in past years.

This card may look familiar to you because I adapted this card to meet the needs of this project by changing the size to fit the paper that goes inside, and changing the sentiment to something more church-like. I also backed it onto Early Espresso rather than Black, but that was only because I had lots of Early Espresso on hand.

The poinsettia and sentiment are both from Altenew and embossed in gold. I used Zig Clean Color Real Brush Markers and an aquabrush to add colour.


Wednesday 2 December 2015

Church Christmas Project - Day 1 (King of Kings)



During the year, I make about 350 Christmas cards that are sent out by my church (and my parents' church) to members of the two congregations. Click here for more information and a link to my Pinterest board for more cards I made in past years.

Because I make so many of these cards, they are simple in design and usually very flat. You know that I love to make square cards, but for the purposes of this project, the cards are 4.25 x 5.5. I generally make multiples of 4 (either 24 or 28) because I usually have a mat on the front of the card, and you can get 4 from a sheet.

Over the month of December, I'll show you the ones that haven't been blogged previously during the year.

For today's card, I used my favourite creche stamp - an old retired image from Market Street Stamps. I stamped it in early espresso and grounded it with a Paper Smooches Shadow stamp in Crumb Cake. I need help remembering where the sentiment came from (anyone?). I cut the image panel with a Papertrey die from Sending You to echo the 'shine' from the manger. For some colour and warmth, I dug out some very old Basic Grey Fruitcake DP and cut it with an Avery Elle Wonky Stitches die.

Tuesday 1 December 2015

CASology 175 - Pie


This week's CASology Cue Card is Pie!



I have been reorganizing all my dies lately - I had stored them by theme, but now want to store them by manufacturer, so when I came across these pie chart dies from MFT (sorry, retired), I knew I would use them for this challenge. I wanted to have a heart fitting in as the final piece, but didn't have one the right size. I used the smallest MFT Heart Stax die and cut it out of the final piece instead. But then it was tricky finding a sentiment. I was thinking "you complete me", but found this Ellen Hutson sentiment in the 12 Days Companion Greetings which works perfectly to make a fun valentine or wedding or anniversary card.

That's a big focal image and there's quite a lot going on, so I kept it simple by limiting the colour palette to neutrals with one pop of "copic-wink-of stella-glossy-accents" red. That is a seriously cool technique for getting a sparkly shine!

Now it's your turn! Don't forget to drop by the rest of the DT Blogs for more inspiration:






Saturday 28 November 2015

FS460 - Flowery Friend


You know that I joined the Splitcoaststampers Featured Stamper Challenge Hostess Team recently - today is my first opportunity to host the challenge.

This week's Featured Stamper is Susie Nelson. I chose this pretty flower-grid card to CASE:



I focused on Susie's
-theme (floral)
-general layout (grid of 9 flowers)

and changed
-rather than using coloured line images, I stamped in black and coloured with Copics
-inserted my sentiment into my grid
-size and shape of the card.

I used a very old Unity Stamps flower stamp and an equally old Taylored Expressions sentiment.

Friday 27 November 2015

Muse 143 - Joy to the World


This is my card for this week's Muse Challenge, where Tracey has given us this fun, whimsical card as inspiration:



I focused on Tracey's
-colour scheme (red, black, white, gold and some brown)
-theme Christmas/Joy
-black circle element with a scene inside
-red frame

I used a Dee's Distinctively Joy die, cut in gold foil and black. I stamped an image from Papertrey's Stained Glass on the centre of the 'o' and coloured it with Copics, then Wink of Stella and Glossy Accents, which doesn't show in the photo, but is sparkly and shiny in real life. I cut my panel with an MFT pierced rectangle die in a size slightly smaller than the Joy Die, to leave a big red frame, and also to allow the J and the Y to hang over a little.