Stamp Something With Glitter

This week's challenge at Stamp Something is to stamp something with glitter. Of course I had to make a card with snowflakes and a snowman. The image is from Inkadinkado. I glittered the snowflakes on the blue background, the snowman's face, and the little snowflakes around his face. You can see the challenge by clicking this link -- http://stampchallenges.blogspot.com/

I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year! May you be blessed in many ways!

Thinking of You

I made this card for the Card Patterns challenge, sketch 96. I just got this wonderful patterned paper by DCWV and I just had to use it! I decided to make a Valentine card, so I used this cute vintage stamp. The inside of the card says "Thinking of you is such a nice thing to do." The frame is a Quik Kutz die. You can see the challenge by clicking here. http://www.cardpatterns.blogspot.com/

Let It Snow!

Hi everyone! I trust you had a wonderful Christmas. We got a wonderful surprise here in South Carolina! It started snowing yesterday afternoon and we got about 3-4 inches! It has not snowed here in SC on Christmas Day since 1963! We hardly ever see it anyway! I went outside and took some pictures this morning. Here are a few. My little 3 yr. old neighbor was outside kicking the snow. He was so cute!

Noel

Well, Christmas is upon us! I want to wish everyone a wonderful, safe and blessed Christmas. Let us stop and reflect on the true meaning of this great season. This card is not the typical Christmas colors. I have been using this pretty vintage decorative paper this year for my cards and I have really enjoyed using it. So I have gone outside my box and tried something new this Christmas. Once again, have a Merry Christmas!

Pocket Full Of Wishes

This is my entry for the Stamp Something challenge this week. We are to make a pocket or tag. I went with a manly birthday card theme this time. I had this cute little pocket that went great with this denim paper. Click here to see the challenge -- http://stampchallenges.blogspot.com/

Baby It's Warm Inside!

The Impression Obsession challenge is -- All that glitters is not gold. We are to use another metal besides gold on our project. The "metal" I used was several layers of aluminum foil that I ran through a swirl cuttlebug folder. I then used Butterscotch, Terracotta, and Red Pepper alcohol inks to ink up the front. The cups were colored with colored pencils and Gamsol and then covered with Crystal Lacquer to make them shiny. I used white Liquid Applique  for the "marshmallows", because this is hot chocolate! LOL! You can see the challenge by clicking on the link -- http://mitrafriant.typepad.com/

Summer BBQ

I am following the sketch challenge at Cat's Pajamas. I decided to make a summer card since it has been so cold here. LOL! Maybe this will make me feel warmer since I have been in an unheated empty building all day volunteering for Christmas donations. You can see the sketch by clicking here -- http://dancinginpajamas.blogspot.com/

Another Waltzing Mouse Challenge Card

Here is another Waltzing Mouse challenge card I made for this week's sketch. Here is the link to view the sketch.

http://waltzingmousesketchchallenge.blogspot.com/

Waltzing Mouse Sketch Challenge

Here is my card for the Waltzing Mouse sketch challenge for this week. I love birds and I used this little cutie.  You can see the sketch here --http://waltzingmousesketchchallenge.blogspot.com/.

Christmas Chick-A-Dees

For the Sparkle N Sprinkle December challenge we are to make a winter card. I have chick-a-dees that come to my bird feeder in the winter and I love watching them! I had to use these cuties on my card! I used the Fleur de Lis Shapeabilities die for the red and white medallion behind the birds. The green background was run through a cuttlebug folder and enhanced by brushing a clear ink pad over the raised areas. I used Liquid Applique on the branches to look like snow. The die that the birds are stamped on is a new Nestibilities set I just bought -- Labels nine. You can see the challenge by clicking here --http://sparklensprinkle.com/gameinfo.php   This card is also being entered into the Cuttlebug Spot challenge. We are to use our favorite embossing technique. You can check out their challenge here --http://www.thecuttlebugspot.blogspot.com/

Baby It's Cold Outside!!!

For the Cat's Pajamas challenge this week we are to use any of their Christmas stamps. I love this sassy cat! He looks cold and , WOW, it has really been cold here for the last few days! I made the Christmas tree by using a Quick Kutz scallop die and folding it in half several times. I then cut into the side of the fold to form the branches and opened it up. I used white Liquid Applique for the snow.You can view the challenge by clicking here -- http://dancinginpajamas.blogspot.com/

Another Circle Card

I have had these circle cards for awhile and have not used them, so I decided to make one more for the Waltzing Mouse challenge.  Click below to see the challenge -- http://waltzingmousesketchchallenge.blogspot.com/2010/12/challenge-26.html

Circle Challenge

I have been busy this weekend with card challenges! This card is for the Waltzing Mouse circle challenge. It was fun using all the dies. You can see the challenge here -- http://waltzingmousesketchchallenge.blogspot.com/2010/12/challenge-26.html

Christmas Colors

I am entering a lot of challenges! Here is another challenge card for The Stamp Something Christmas Colors challenge. Click on the link to see the challenge --http://stampchallenges.blogspot.com/. This little bear from Sparkle N Sprinkle is a cutie! I framed him using a Heartfelt Creations die cut. Also this card is being entered into the Sparkle N Sprinkle winter card challenge too! You can see their challenge here --
http://sparklensprinkle.com/gameinfo.php  

I made a mistake and thought this bear was  from Sparkle N Sprinkle. He is not!  I will need to make another card for their challenge.

Running Zebras

This 6 x 6 fat page is serving 2 purposes. I am entering it into the December Beeswax sketch challenge and a club swap. You can see the sketch here -- http://rubberstampchat.net/showthread.php?t=4181. I used the batik technique for the background.

Batik instructions --

Use white tissue paper and stamp a background stamp or random stamp all over the paper using clear Versa Mark ink.  Sprinkle clear embossing powder over the stamped images and heat. I used 3 colors of color wash and sprayed over the tissue paper -- Butterscotch, Terracotta, and Lettuce. I then placed an old towel on my ironing board, then cream card stock, the sprayed tissue paper, and newsprint and ironed over the layers on medium heat. The tissue paper stuck to the cream card stock to give it stability to glue to my brown piece.

Thank You

At the Hero Arts challenge this week we were to make thank you cards and we were also to follow a color theme. My card ended up being a 5 x7 because I was trying to get in all the colors! LOL! You would think with the bazillion pieces of decorative paper I have that I could find a piece with some of these colors!! We were to use kraft, cranberry, slate blue, pine and snow! We also were to add shine, so I used gold pearls for the center of the flower and on the corners of the frame. I used a Martha Stewart border and corner punch to make the white frame. I stamped the Hero Arts Square Flower Etching stamp on kraft color card stock and popped it up in the middle of the frame. Under the ribbon I stamped the Impression Obsession swirl stamp in dark green. The saying is from a G Stamp set. The challenge can be seen here --

http://heroarts.com/blogs/club/december-2010-contest-details/

Ice Blue and Lavender

Cat's Pajamas has another challenge that started yesterday. This challenge called for using the colors aqua, ice blue and lavender. I just had to use my new Magnolia stamp. Tilda is so cute! I love this color combination. To see the challenge click here http://dancinginpajamas.blogspot.com/

Embellished

At the Cat's Pajamas challenge we were to make our own embellishment using die cuts. The embellishment on this card was made by using shapabilities pendents fleur de lis ( large red die ), Heartfelt Creations multi-frame die (white) and small design from Classic Frame spellbinders set. All stamps are by Cat's Pajamas. I used a Martha Stewart border punch and corner to make the frame for the card. You can see the challenge at --

http://dancinginpajamas.blogspot.com/

Little Black Dress

Isn't every woman supposed to have one of these in her wardrobe? Over at Impression Obsession, the challenge is New Year's Resolutions! Well, this card depicts that I will try to fit into a little black dress this coming year! It will certainly have to wait until after all the holiday food! LOL! The pink rose background is from Impression Obsession. It is one of their card cover backgrounds that I bought at the Heirloom Convention this year. I love these backgrounds! The little black dress is by Stampabilities. You can see the challenges at http://mitrafriant.typepad.com/impression_obsession_news/

Happy Thanksgiving!

I want to wish all of you a wonderful,blessed and safe Thanksgiving!

Slide Fold Cards and More

Last Thursday at the Whipperstamper  stamp club, Marie taught us several projects. We made these neat slide fold cards that I just love. Also we made this cute turkey and Christmas card! Thanks, Marie, for teaching us these wonderful projects.

Blog Candy Winner

I promised I would announce the winner today of the blog candy that I am giving away to celebrate my 6th month mark in having my blog. Thanks to those who left a comment on that post saying what your are thankful for. I wish all of you and those who stop by, a Wonderful Thanksgiving! Without further ado -- the winner is Kate who has the Small Bits of Paper blog!!  Congratulations! Here is what she won.

Thanksgiving Blessings

The challenge at Stamp Something this week is to make a project about thanks. For the background of this card I stamped a large Hero Arts maple leaf several times onto cream card stock using the Creole Spice Kaleidacolor stamp pad. I then spritzed the inked stamp with water and stamped. The stacked pumpkins are from Sparkle N Sprinkle. I colored them using colored pencils and Gamsol. I stamped the saying and tore around it, edged it with purple ink and pop-dotted it above the pumpkins. For embellishments I used a silk leaf and leaf brad. You can see the challenge at ---

http://stampchallenges.blogspot.com/

Cool Christmas Cat

Over at Cat's Pajamas this week, the challenge is to be inspired by their 60s chair pattern. The red patterned paper that I used on this card reminds me of the chair pattern.  I used Cat's Pajamas stamps, cut them out and glued them on for the scene. I added glitter, ribbon and snowflakes as embellishments. I love this "cool" sassy cat!  Check out their challenge at ----

http://dancinginpajamas.blogspot.com/

Christmas Flower

For this card I used glitter patterned paper. I stamped the flowers from Heartfelt Creations onto burgundy patterned paper, cut them out and layered them. I stamped the leaves from Heartfelt Creations on green card stock and cut them out to add to the flower. I used a label die cut and gold vellum to stamp the Noel on. This card is entered in the Waltzing Mouse sketch challenge.

Also, I am giving away blog candy to celebrate the 6th month mark of my blog, so please scroll down to see how you can be a winner! Have a wonderful day. It is gloomy and rainy here, so it has been a good day to work on Christmas cards and challenges! You can see the challenge here -----

http://waltzingmousesketchchallenge.blogspot.com/

Merry Christmoose!

This card is being entered in The Cats Pajamas sketch challenge this week. I used the cuttlebug snowflake embossing folder for the white behind the moose. The moose was colored using colored pencils and Gamsol. I used white Liquid Applique on the moose's cap and beard. The border was made with a Martha Stewart punch. I used a white satin bow and poinsettia as embellishments.

Win Blog Candy!

In December I will have had my blog for 6 months! I can't believe how time flies! I want to thank all of you who come look, comment and follow my blog. I never thought I would be able to make and maintain a blog because  I am not that computer savvy. I have enjoyed it immensely and I look forward to much more creating and sharing. I know December is the 6th month mark, but knowing how hectic December can be I decided to celebrate the 6th month mark now by giving away some blog candy! I will make it easy, so here is what you need to do! With Thanksgiving coming up, I thought you could just leave a comment on this post about what you are thankful for. On November 20th I will randomly pick a name from the comments and that person will win the blog candy that I have posted here. The package is worth around $40 and includes --

specialty window cards

Maya Road fabrics

Madonna charms

ribbon

alphabet stencils

Martha Stewart stamp set

4 mini G stamp sets

Flower chipboard book

40 sheets printed paper pack

little box

3 set stickers

1 set rub ons

I am very thankful for the many talented ladies in my life, the ones I craft with and others that I have met online. I get such wonderful inspiration from you, and I enjoy looking at your great creations as well! May you have a wonderful and blessed Thanksgiving!

Hugs, April

Reindeer Caroler

Monica on the gingerwood board shared this cute reindeer and I just had to try it! I used die cuts and punches to make him. Hers was a little different because she had different dies. I used and oval nestibilities die for the head, a cuttlebug oval for the mouth and a cuttlebug die for the antlers. I cut the ends off an oval shape to make the hands. A small paper punch was used for the nose and I cut white card stock for the teeth! There are many different ways to make this reindeer, just get creative with your dies!

Sketch Challenge

This is my card for the sketch challenge over at Stamp Something. I used nestibilities die cuts and the reindeer is from Cats Pajamas stamps. I made the pine cones using a small heart punch and building them up to form a pine cone. I then added some white flower soft for snow.

All Blue

I made this card for the Flourishes challenge. We were to use blue. I used light blue glitter card stock as my base. I stamped an Inkadinkado snowman in blue to match the card stock. I used a Martha Stewart punch to punch around the white frame, a sizzix label was used to cut out the center and then I ran it through a snowflake cuttlebug folder. Snowflake cuttlebug dies were used to embellish the corners along with a blue sheer ribbon bow. I used stickles glitter glue on the embossed snowflakes.

Old Fashioned Santa

I made this card for the November challenge over at Stamp Haven. We were to use the cracked glass technique. I have seen this technique quite a bit, but I have never actually tried it, so it was fun to work with this technique that was new to me! It was easy and it turned out well I think. I stamped a Tim Holtz Santa using Fired Brick Distress ink. I then used a clear Versa Mark ink pad and tapped the pad all over the stamped image and covered it with clear embossing powder and heated it. I did this same step 3 other times. I let the image cool and then bent back the card stock and this made the layers of EP crack to look like cracked glass. I then rubbed  a Walnut Distress ink pad over the cracked glass several times and wiped over it with a tissue.  This brought out the cracked places in the piece. I used a swirled snowflake cuttlebug embossing folder on the green card base and rubbed over the embossed areas with a darker green ink pad. The reindeer is a cuttlebug die cut.

Swinging Snowman

I am entering this card in the Sparkle N Sprinkle winter card contest. I had this cute swinging snowman of theirs and I just had to use him. I used the ornament cuttlebug folder to emboss and then I swiped red ink over the embossed areas to enhance them. The frame is a Nellie's multi-frame die cut. I used white Flower Soft for the snowman's body, but it is hard to see. Isn't this snowman a cutie?

Plant Smiles

This is my challenge card that I have entered on the Just Right blog this week. We had a certain sketch to follow. I used a flower that I made from pages of a book, a scalloped heart punch and distress inks. The background is olive coordinations card stock that I ran through a Quik Kutz embossing folder and then sanded. The border was made by using a Martha Stewart punch. The squares are nestibilities and then I used a saying from Just Right stamps. I love the colors of Fall! I went on a little road trip to the mountains with 2 dear friends yesterday. The trees were pretty and I will miss the colors when the leaves fall off the trees! They just don't stay long enough! We also had a great time at the apple orchard on top of a mountain. The apple cider donuts covered in cinnamon sugar were to die for!

Autumn Challenge

I created this card for the cuttlebug spot challenge. We were to make anything autumn. I have been wanting to make more window cards, so I chose to make one for this challenge. I used K&CO decorative paper for the window front. I used the nestibilities labels 14 for the window and another of their labels for the saying. The pumpkin is from a Fall Inkadinkado set and I colored it using Twinkling H2Os. The vines on the side is a cuttlebug border enhanced using a dark brown ink pad. I used the  Martha Stewart leaf border punch as an added touch. Embellishments are silk flowers and a brown silk bow.

Cat's Pajamas Challenge

I have entered the Cat's Pajamas challenge this week. We are to use the colors, red, pink and orange. We had a choice to go bright or subtle. I had this cute poodle of theirs and I chose to go bright. I used Martha Stewart's corner and border punches to make the lace trim on the pink background. The decorative paper behind the poodle is from K&CO. I used a Nestibility as a cut out to stamp the poodle on. I colored the poodle with an orange marker and then used pink Tulip paint for the "fur" and sprinkled pink glitter over the paint. I love Cats's Pajamas stamps. They are so cute!

Peek-A-Boo Owl

Here is another fancy fold card. This time I went 5 1/2" wide x 4 1/4" long. This will also fit in an A2 envelope. I had a lot of fun making this card. The "tree" part of the card was made using "wood" paper and then running it through the Tim Holtz wood grain folder and swiping a brown ink pad over the embossed areas. I cut a hole from the knot in the "wood" and placed my stamped owl behind it. He is colored with Twinkling H2Os. The pumpkin is a cuttlebug die and the vines on the sides is a  cuttlebug border. The small pumpkins border was made using a Martha Stewart border punch. Fall is my favorite time of year with the crispness in the air and all the beautiful colors. I hope you enjoy this card!

Fancy Fold Card

I went to our Hendersonville stamp club last night and we made this fancy fold card! I have been waiting all week to make this after I saw it. I made a smaller version to fit in an A2 envelope. I always enjoy meeting with these very talented ladies!

Wooden Barn

I bought some wood "paper" a few days ago. It actually looks and feels like wood, so I had to use it! I stamped the barn on this card onto the wood paper and used pop dots to make it stand out. The background on this card was made by patting 3 colors of Distress Inks onto a craft sheet, spritzing the colors with water and then moving the cream colored card stock around in the colors. I always love how the background turns out.

Pumpkin Stack

I made this card for the Sparkle N Sprinkle Thanksgiving card contest. We needed to use their stamps, so I had this pretty pumpkin stack of theirs. I ran chocolate coordinations card stock through the pumpkin cuttlebug folder and sanded the raise areas. The gold color showed through. I used a new Martha Stewart punch which is the woven brown strip behind the pumpkins. I colored the pumpkins using colored pencils and Gamsol. Silk leaves and a brown satin bow were used for embellishments.

Window Cards

Here are two window cards that I made a few months ago. I really enjoyed making these and I hope to make more soon. The Birthday card was made by using one sheet of double-sided paper. The butterfly card's window was made from a cuttlebug window folder.