Tuesday, January 03, 2017

Christmas cards

Hi everyone.  Today I'm posting some cards I made in December.  It was a tough month with radiation treatments, along with having the flu ... and then a nasty cold. I tried to keep up with visiting blogs, but I know I missed a lot.

I also missed posting my last eight cards that I made for some very dear friends. These are all made from alcohol inks on yupo - click here to see my video.  They are all CAS designs ... I hope you like them.  This will be a picture-heavy post, but no descriptions.  Email me if you have any questions.

Thanks to MaryH for this lovely ornament die!



















Edited to Add:  Had a couple of emails about blending solution being dangerous in a mister.  I'll attach a screen grab from Ranger below and you'll see the warning on the bottom left.  When working with any liquid chemicals, it's important to be careful.  Make sure to protect your face if you decide to spray with blending solution or rubbing alcohol.  Some people believe that rubbing alcohol in a mister would be better.  It's still a chemical and you need to be cautious using it as well.  It definitely will save money using rubbing alcohol over blending solution, but the results will be different.




Thanks for stopping by for a visit!








47 comments:

Tanja said...

love those cards

Sue - said...

A lovely collection of cards Loll! Hope you're beginning to feel a bit brighter now after your difficult December.

Cathy said...

Wow!!! These are beauties Loll! Stunning backgrounds. Best wishes for health and happiness for you and your family in 2017, Cathy x

Marianne said...

Wonderful cards, Loll. I think I will have a little play with my alcohol inks and yupo tomorrow. BTW, I noticed in your video that you use the blending solution in a mini mister. Please note that Tim Holtz strongly advises against this, since this blending solution contains resin, something you don't want to inhale or get into your eyes.
Sorry to hear you had a tough month regarding your treatment. Hope you are starting to feel better now. I'm glad DH's treatments were finished a year ago. The tests in October showed his bowels and blood are clean. There is a tiny spot on the lung that the oncologist wants to monitor closely, but he's not sure if it's cancer or not.
Hope the new year will be filled with joy and creative energy!
Marianne x

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

Beautful work as always Loll I get your posts and am always so impressed with the yupo ones. Might give it a try on other paper one day as haven't seen it here only online.
Pray you're starting to recover some of your strength too, it's not fun being so unwell. May the Lord bless and strengthen you each day in 2017 and beyond. "As thy days, so shall thy strength be".
Thanks for sharing,
Shaz in Oz.x

{Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}

Brenda said...

These are all stunning Loll! I am in awe that you were able to get cards made and mailed out with everything you were going through!!! I'm hanging my head low as I didn't get any mailed internationally. But my goal is to have all my cards done and addressed, ready to go by Dec 1, 2017. I also am going to make several of one design for each card I make, so I can build my stash. That is my goal, lets pray that I do it! Hugs, Brenda

Loll said...

Hi Marianne. Thanks for the info. I think using any type of liquid chemical can be hazardous. The important thing is to be careful. Using rubbing alcohol in a mister could also be potentially dangerous, but many people do it. As for inhaling the resin, there would still be fumes if you are squirting it onto your work. Keeping it away from the face when misting is key.

Congrats on your DH's results ... that's awesome news!

Nstiz said...

You create the most incredible backgrounds with alcohol ink, Loll! Wow, how rich the color is. Good for you for starting early! Sure makes things easier in November/December. These are all gorgeous!

Christine Alexander said...

Loll, they all look so beautiful, the colours are so rich, I'm honored to be the recipient of one of them.

Jeanne H said...

All I can think of to say is WOW! Each of these cards is really beautiful! tfs

sandybb said...

These are fantastic! I always over think my cards, this helps greatly! Thanks

Susan said...

Stunning! Thanks so much for sharing. Hope the new year brings you fabulous blessings!

Darnell said...

This is an array of pure perfection, Lolly! Each one is a work of art!! Thank you for the AI inspiration!! I hope 2017 is a year of splendid good health for you!! Hugs, Dolly

Unknown said...

Love the cards! Simple yet elegant. Hope the treatments go well for you.

Bonnie said...

All of these are gorgeous, my friend! I can't decide my favorite. Oh, wait, my favorite is the one front and center in my Christmas card basket!

Susan said...

What a feast for the eyes, Loll! You know how much I love Christmas cards above all other types of cards. Each one is beautiful and unique, and I'm thrilled that I got to receive one of them!

Thanks for the info about alcohol blending solution in a spray bottle - good to be reminded to be extra careful.

Happy Dance said...

Hope you're feeling better, and I'll pray for a very healthy 2017 for you! As to these cards...AH-Mazing! So beautiful, and I love this look. Couldn't pick a favorite from these, but the red ornament made me go, "OH!" Then I saw the next one, and the next one. Just fabulous. Bev

Sheila H said...

I am in awe of your cards. Loll. Each is uniquely beautiful. I wish you many blessings in the New Year.

Linda Kilsdonk said...

Your cards are absolutely exquisite, Loll! I would not be able to choose a favorite -- they are each wonderful in their own rights. I love them! And your ornament die -- do you know which company makes that? It is beautiful. I love the cardinal touch. Sending prayers your way that your treatments go well. Take care. Smiles, Linda at Paper Seedlings

GregSnLA said...

Beautiful cards Loll! You always keep me inspired with your beautiful and tasteful cards. Wishing you the best in 2017.

HJ said...

Each card is a work of art, Loll. I love every one of these beautiful cards. Thanks for the heads up about using the Blending Solution. May good health and happiness be yours in 2017.

nancy littrell said...

Thank you for sharing all your fabulous alcohol ink Christmas card beauties all on the same post. I can only chose a favorite because #4 is our (yes, my DH's too) Christmas card this year. We feel very special getting one of your beauties my friend. Wishing you a very Happy and Healthy New Year. Love, Nancy

Kath said...

Fabulous cards - beautiful yupo papers and lovely designs.
Kath x

Linda said...

These are all stunning ...... each one a beauty, but my favourite is the snowflakes. That background looks amazing! xx

My Card Attic: Hazel said...

So pleased that your health is back on track and you have a chance in 2017 to recharge your batteries! Look after yourself this year sweet friend and take it a little more easily! I'm glad that you have shown us these fabulous cards, they all have that WOW factor (as is usual from yours), it would have been a shame to miss them! Have a lovely day! Hazel xx

Jeanne said...

I'm so sorry you had to go through so much during the month of December. That is just not a fun time. I hope you are doing much better by now. I'm in awe that you were still able to be so fantastically creative. You've got some absolutely stunning backgrounds and magnificent cards here. I'm so glad you shared them! :) Hugs!!

maria f. said...

Oh my goodness, one more beautiful than the last. I did give them a second glance and decided my favorite of the entire bunch is the brown BG with the gold trees in the foreground. What a composition! I hope 2017 is kind to you, Loll. Giant hugs.

Bobby said...

What you do with a center panel and die cuts is amazing, Loll. These are all so gorgeous. Here's to 2017 being a better year for you with lots of crafting and new techniques.

Brenda in IN said...

They are all stunning. The gold die cuts make them a work of true art. I am so sorry December was such a bad month but hope all that is behind you now and you have a healthy, wonderful 2017. Thanks for the warning, we will all benefit from that. Hugs to you.

Canonbury creations said...

Oh Wow! Absolutely stunning cards Loll especially like the gold trees on that bronze background oh and the red bauble oh and.....you get the picture ;)
Hope all the treatment wasn't too debilitating xxx

Daria said...

You continue to inspire me with your art and your courage. Thank you.

Viv said...

An awesomely stunning array of cards Loll. And you know I will shamelessly CASE them at some point don't you! Ha Ha!!
I am still staring at the stack of alco inks - need to get some Yupo paper here in the UK - have seen some that is 110gsm... what do you think?

Betty said...

wonderful array of cards Loll - love every one of them! HNY!

Marcia Hill said...

Every one of your cards is absolutely GORGEOUS Loll...I didn't want this post to end! I haven't done any playing with Al inks since last month, but after seeing this post I'm feeling the urge to get them back out! Lovely, lovely cards my friend!! Hope you're feeling better and that 2017 will be kinder to you health wise!! :0)

BożenA said...

Hello Lol,
each card more beautiful than the last! Awesome! This is a real talent and a gift from God to create such wonders :-)
Hugs,
BożenA xx

Mac Mable said...

Sorry you had the flu and a cold on top of your treatment...It must have hit you hard? x Absolutely fabulous and amazing cards...so much talent and creativity. Here's to a Healthy, Happy and Crafty 2017 to us all x Stunning post x

Joanne Williams said...

Beautiful!! Your cards ALWAYS inspire me. Glad to hear that you're feeling better. Positive thoughts & prayers being sent to you. Take care!

Susanne Vargas said...

Oh, wow! Those are the classic Loll cards that I absolutely adore! Glad you didn't ask us to pick a favorite because that would be impossible!
So sorry to hear that you were sick in addition to getting radiation! Hope that all that is behind you now and get stronger every day!

kiwimeskreations said...

What beautiful cards Loll - love your use of the alcohol inks
Blessings
Maxine

TK said...

Such a treasure trove of beauty here! Each card is gorgeous in it's own right, and we are fortunate you decided to post them. Hope that you are feeling much better now, and that you are on a fresh new year of health!

Barb Ghig said...

A gorgeous collection of Christmas cards, Loll! You are a Master with Alcohol Inks, and I love to see how you play with them! I'll bet the recipients of your cards feel very special to receive one of these cards from you!
I hope you're feeling better after all that you've been through in 2016...Wishing you the best of health in the New Year! Hugs, Barb xo

lilian said...

all lovely card. I know people who received them would love them,

Lilian

Aileen said...

Loll I hope your feeling ok at the moment and the days are being kind to you. What a beautiful collection of cards, you have really mastered the use of alcohol inks. I love every one of these cards and the die cuts that go with each one. All stunning.

Lisa Lara said...

Such gorgeous cards Loll. Your backgrounds are out of this world.

Anita in France said...

Stunning, Loll ... what a treat to see all these gorgeous cards together! Do hope you're feeling much better ... and that 2017 will bring you health and joy! Hugs, Anita :)

MaryH said...

Such awesome beauty with each of the tecniques on all of these gorgeous cards. I was going Ooh & aah, with each one that scrolled up. Especially loving the ones where you've got the copper looks over the alcohol backgrounds. I can attest to the fact that the amazing cardinal inlay is so much more beautiful IRL than in the photo too. The gold in the background shimmers so sparkling IRL, and will be displayed for a long time at our house! Big hugs, Happy New Year & TFS (also thanks for sharing the alcohol warning when spraying too).

scrappymo! said...

These are all so beautiful!
I will check out your video as so love this look.

I am sorry to read of your health issues. I am sorry to say that I have not been buy visiting for quite some time so was not aware.

Sending you good wishes for a healthy 2017.

Maureen