A Year in Review

 

As we have a new year approaching us soon, we look forward to what the new year will bring and also reflect on what the old year has brought us. Craft wise I have had the honor to be on the design team at Sparkle N Sprinkle these last few months. It is fun to see some of the creations that I have made with them. Here are a few. I am participating in A Year in Review blog hop at With an i for paper. Come see the creations that we have made throughout 2011 and  also join in the fun!

Winter Card

Hi everyone. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and are still enjoying the remnants of it. We had a nice quiet one with our two grown sons and our new cat, Sapphire. I am not looking forward to taking her to the vet tomorrow, but she needs her check up and a shot! It sounds like a winter day today or maybe March! The wind is ferocious and I am staying inside. I finished up some winter cards that I started a while back. Here is one that I thought I would share today.

Sapphire

Well, I didn't think I would be posting anymore until after Christmas, but I had to show off our new addition! We went to the Humane Society yesterday and got a 2 year old cat named Sapphire. She is a Siamese mix. Isn't she pretty? She is in my craft room now and we are listening to Christmas music!

Merry Christmas

I know everyone is winding down for Christmas. Among all the hustle and bustle I trust we will remember the true reason for the season, which is Christ coming to earth to later die, to give everyone eternal life who believe in Him. May you have the most wonderful and blessed Christmas! 

Quick Card

I made this quick Christmas card for the challenge at Joan's Gardens. I don't think I have made such a quick card in a long time! LOL! I had the tree and deer dies already cut out, so I added them to a scrap of Christmas paper and a red background that I had already run through the cuttlebug. I used my dyed seam binding pieces and put everything together! Easy-peasy!

Pink

It was fun to make a totally different card today. This is all pink and feminine! At Impression Obsession the challenge is Pink and at Flourishes the challenge is feminine. I used the Textured Evening Gown stamp (C4319) from Impression Obsession. Isn't it pretty? 

Frosty Friends

Well, it is another beautiful warm day! I am planning to go out and enjoy it before it gets cold again. I am entering this card into two challenges. I enjoyed using the sketch from Sketch Saturday.  At Basic Grey the theme is Anything Goes, so I made a winter card. I used Basic Grey papers from the Out of Print and Basics pads. I also used a tree die cut that my good friend, Bonnie, let me have. I love it! 

Frosty

How different today is compared to yesterday! We have a beautiful sunny day today and 20 degrees warmer! The weather has been up and down for weeks now. Yesterday was rainy and cold. Here is another card I am entering in Joan's Garden's Christmas card challenge. I used Art Lenz to cover the stamped snowman and blue stamped snowflakes to make the images dimensional and move. 

Christmas Chickadees

It is a lovely sunny day here today. I hope you are enjoying your day. I am entering this card in the Joan's Gardens challenge. We are to show our Christmas cards. I just love these Chickadees from Sparkle n Sprinkle. 

Total White Out

Hello! It is very windy and rainy here today, so I am in my craft room making cards! I made this card for the Penny Black challenge, Total White Out. The whole card needs to be white except for the image. We haven't had snow here yet, and we may not get it this year in South Carolina, but this card makes me think of a beautiful snowy day. I also used the sketch for this card from Sketch Saturday. I hope you are enjoying your day. I am enjoying mine inside! LOL!

Warm and Fuzzy

I hope you are having a good start to your weekend. Yesterday I went to a Holiday Fair that really put me in the Christmas spirit! Today I enjoyed making another Christmas card for a couple of challenges. The challenge at House Mouse and Friends is to make a warm and fuzzy creation. I used red flocking on this House Mouse's warm and fuzzy hat! I also used the sketch from the Midnight Madness challenge #132. 

Christmas Dreams

I hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I had a nice time with extended family. It is very rainy here today, so I have been working on a card that I am entering into two challenges. I saw this fold not long ago and I have really been wanting to try it.  At Basic Grey we are to use a household item on our project. I cut up a key chain and used it as the ornaments on the trees. I used Basic Grey papers from the Life of the Party and the Basics packs. The challenge at Magnolia-licious is a cozy Christmas picture for inspiration. As you can see I honed in on the Christmas tree! I had so much fun making this card. I wanted to show how the card looked when it was folded, so I had to use some removable tape to keep it shut! Here is the template for the folds. I hope you have fun making this too!

Happy Thanksgiving

I have so much to be thankful for and I know you do too! I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving. God bless!

Christmas Card and Technique

I hope you have been having a great weekend. I had a fun day yesterday stamping with friends and I learned a new technique that I did on this card. It is easy and fun. I used the Impression Obsession cover-a-card snowflake stamp (CC066) on the background. I dabbed white acrylic paint on the stamp and stamped it and then used my heat gun to dry the paint. I then used shades of blue Distress inks to sponge over the snowflakes. Then I wiped off the excess ink with a damp cloth. I posted 2 other back grounds I made this way. My focal stamp is part of the Impression Obsession Holy Night Collage stamp (L4191). I used a circle die cut to cut out the center. I colored it with chalks and added glitter to certain areas. I made this card for the Impression Obsession challenge. We are to use only stamps, no patterned paper. 

Christmas Joy

Hi Everyone!

At Joan's Gardens the challenge this week is to make a winter themed card or tag and use some kind of embossing, die cut, and animal. At Just Rite Stampers the theme is Christmas so I combined the two on this card.  It really feels like Christmas outside today so the weather has inspired me to make this card. I am nearly finished with my Christmas cards! Whoooo-hooooo! 

Top Tip Tag

At Top Tip Tuesday the theme is to make a tag and share a tip. I was thinking of Thanksgiving when I made this tag. My tip is this -- to add interest to a background stamp a script stamp over it. Thanks for the fun challenge!

Red, White and Black

I had fun doing another challenge today. And, yes, I made another Christmas card to add to my stash! At Just Magnolia the challenge is to use the colors red, white and black. I also used the sketch from Sketch Saturday. I used some Christmas paper that I bought at the end of the season last year. It is the first time I have used it this year. Hope you are having a good day. It is really nice here again!

Thank You

At House Mouse and Friends the challenge is to make a thank you card. I made a Christmas thank you since it is the season for gift giving and cards are needed for a thank you in return. I used the sketch on the priscillastyles blog. Isn't this the cutest mouse? 

Sparkle N Sprinkle It's A Cultural Thing Blog Hop

Welcome to the Sparkle N Sprinkle It's A Cultural Thing blog hop! We are celebrating  different cultures and customs by making cards using stamps from Sparkle N Sprinkle.  If you came from Barbara's  lovely blog you are in the right spot! Otherwise you might want to start with the Sparkle N Sprinkle's blog to get all the details to be able to win four great prizes! We are celebrating America's cultural richness in a blog hop.  I made two cards representing other cultures that I have visited. The first card represents Africa where my husband and I went on several safaris. I just had to use the dark fern with the lovely zebra on this card. I have also been to the beautiful islands in the Carribean. I remember the colorful hibiscus blooms that I saw there, so I used the Sparkle N Sprinkle hibiscus blossom  on my second card.  Rememebr that through the end of the month the Sparkle N Sprinkle Team presents Design Elements, Asian, Medallions and Andrea Roberts stamps on special for 15% off. To view our specials and products just click here .

Continue on your cultural journey to Julie's wonderful blog and leave a comment!

Catching Snowflakes

I combined this card into two challenges. At Magnolia-licious we had a picture of a beautiful blue necklace as our inspiration. At Just Magnolia the challenge is Anything Goes with the option of using lace and pearls.. I decided to make another Christmas card to add to my stash. I just love this little girl. I have used her carrying leaves and now she is carrying snowflakes! You will see her again carrying flowers and Easter eggs, I am sure! LOL! 

Starry Night Reindeer

On the Two Peas in a Bucket board we have been having a discussion about spray mists. Anne wanted us to show any of our misted pieces that we had. I thought I had a few, but I could not find any. I must have used them all and given them away. So today I pulled out my sprays and had a fun time making some more backgrounds. I used one of the backgrounds to make this Christmas card. I used a die cut reindeer that my good friend, Bonnie, gave me last year. 

Our Daily Bread Sketch

I hope you are having a good Sunday. It is so nice here. I want to go for a walk real soon! I entered this card in Our Daily Bread Sketch Challenge. I used the butterfly from the Butterfly Corner stamp, the Vintage Border background that I embossed in white on the pink scallop, and the saying from the Thinking of You set. This was an enjoyable card to make since I have been in the middle of making Christmas cards!

Another Christmas Card

Here is another Christmas card I made for the Just Rite Christmas Linky Party. I am getting closer to getting my cards finished for this year! I hope everyone is having a good weekend.

Penny Black Sketch Challenge

I have been busy making Christmas cards today. Here is a Christmas card I am entering in the Penny Black sketch challenge this week. The little mouse is usually holding a bouquet of flowers, but to make it "Christmasy"  I had him holding a Christmas gift instead!

Midnight Madness Sketch 128

I made a Christmas card using the Midnight Madness Sketch 128 at Priscillastyles Blog.  I am enjoying using the stamps from the Christmas Treasures Set from Just Rite. I love this cardinal. Thanks for the fun challenge! I hope everyone has a great day!

Other challenges entered --
Just Rite -- Christmas Linky Party

Just Rite Christmas Linky Party

Hi, I hope you are having a good day. It is beautiful here. Just Rite is having a Christmas Linky Party. We are to use Just Rite Christmas stamps to make a Christmas project. I used a stamp from the Christmas treasures set. 

Happy Halloween

I am sending happy thoughts to those of you who had snow dumped on you this Halloween. I know the little ghosts and goblins will really need to bundle up! I made this owl's body by using a Color Box wedge pad. I used finger sponge daubers for the eyes and then I circled the eyes with a black fine point pen. I hope everyone has a Happy Halloween!

Snowy Background Technique

I love techniques! At Joan's Gardens, Selma has shown us how to do a fun technique called Snowy Background. We are to use this technique for our challenge this week. I really enjoyed doing this one. First you  take glossy cardstock and sponge a light color all over the piece. I used light blue. Next you stamp images on it using Versa Mark ink and heat set them. I used a tree. Take an embossing buddy and wipe over the glossy cardstock. Stamp the stamp you want as a focal point with Versa mark ink and emboss with white embossing powder. I used my tree again. This looks like the trees have depth. You can see a fainter tree on the left of my embossed tree. Now lightly spritz the piece with water and let it sit a few seconds. It looks like snow is falling!

Other challenges:
Basic Grey  -- papers used -- Out of Print and Basics Manilla

Just Magnolia

Falling for House Mouse and Friends

Here is my entry to the Fall challenge at House Mouse and Friends. I used my newly purchased House Mouse stamp. Isn't he cute? I enjoyed this challenge. It was a nice break from making Christmas cards!

Fall with Basic Grey

It is really feeling like Fall today. The temperature has dropped 23 degrees from yesterday and it is damp and rainy outside! I have been making a lot of Christmas cards lately so it was fun to make a Fall card for the Basic Grey challenge this week! I used one of my very favorite Fall stamps from Sparkle N Sprinkle -- Pumpkin Stack. The patterned paper is from the Basic Grey Life of the Party pad. 

More Christmas Cards

Hi Everyone!

I hope you are having a good day. It is beautiful here! I have not posted in awhile because I have had company and then I spent a few days at my aunt's house. While I was there I made more Christmas cards and here are a few of them. Thanks for stopping by. I hope to have more cards uploaded sometime this week.

Swirling Leaves

We have a rainy day here today, but we really need it. I hope you are enjoying your day. The first picture is a Fall card that I made for a shoe box party that we had at our local stamp club last week. We are called the Stamping Divas and we meet once a month. A shoe box party is when each of us make a sample card and then have enough supplies in the shoe box to make 12 cards. We then pass the boxes around and make the other members cards. At the end of the night we leave with a stash of wonderful cards! The next 2 pictures are the cards that I was able to make at the meeting. I wish I could have made more! These ladies are really talented.

A Fallen leaf

Here is my last challenge card for Two Peas. The challenge is Beautiful Leaves and we were to use leaves and alcohol inks. I dropped alcohol inks onto glossy cardstock and let them run. I would spritz a little, every now again, with 91% alcohol so the inks would move around better. I then stamped the leaves over the inked background. The leaves are starting to change here and I can't wait to see all the beautiful colors!

Leaf Angel

I hope you are having a good weekend. It has been beautiful here. I am still doing challenges at Two Peas. This challenge was a very different one. We were to use Christmas and Fall stamps together to make a card. As you can see I used and angel and part of a Fall leaf for her wings. This card also goes with another challenge to stamp Old School. Before we had all the die cuts, fancy papers, etc. we used to just stamp. So we were to make a card with just stamping. I stamped the background using a cover-a-card background from Impression Obsession. I stamped a swirl in the corner and the angel and leaf wings are stamps. I enjoyed stretching my imagination on this one!

White Negative Technique

As you might have seen in the post below, I am doing some challenges on the Two Peas stamping board for Septoberfest. I made this card by following a neat technique. It is called White Negative.

Stamp the Negative background on white card stock using a white pigment ink. It is important that you use clear embossing powder to emboss the image because you will be inking and stamping over the image and you want to be able to rub it off well on the embossed areas. I then inked the negative areas using a finger dauber and red distress ink. You will need to rub off the ink on the embossed areas using a tissue. I then stamped a music background over this ( use a pigment or dye ink, no permanent ink ) and then rubbed off the ink on the embossed areas again. I enjoyed working with this fun technique!

Christmas Cards

Hi Everyone! I haven't been able to post on my blog for awhile. My pictures would not upload. I hope you are having a good week. We are having beautiful weather here. These are 2 Christmas cards that I have done for some challenges on the Two Peas stamping board. They are having Septober Fest with many fun challenges that will go through October 16th. My cards will be mostly Christmas cards since I need to get started on them. I have many to do! On the first card we were to use embossing. I heat embossed the reindeer and the snow swirl. On the second card we were to use Distress Inks and do some Tim Holtz techniques. I made a background using Distress inks and spritzing. I also used some crackle paint on the left bottom and stamped over it with the Santa. Then I used my distress tool to rough the edges of the card. These have been fun to make. Stay tuned for some more challenge cards!

Pink and Brown

At Basic Grey the challenge is to use the colors pink and brown. I love these colors together! I used the paper from the Life of the Party pad. This is the paper I stamped the bird on. You can click here to see the challenge.