Merry Christmas Poinsettias

Hi everyone.  Today is my last post before Christmas.  I wanted to share a few poinsettia cards I made back in November, using the beautiful layered Poinsettia Bloom Etched dies from Spellbinders (designed by Yana Smakula).

My friend Christine has this die, which she brought to one of our crafting sessions in early Fall.  It's so beautiful, I had just to get it! :)  And I wanted to try making a few cards using different colours.  First up, the traditional red. 

The Poinsettia Bloom Etched die (Spellbinders) was die-cut from gold foil card stock and white card stock.  I sponged the white Poinsettia pieces in two shades of red Distress Inks (Candied Apple, Aged Mahogany), using detail brushes.  Then the pieces were inlaid into the framing and leaves background die-cut from gold.  This is such a beautiful flower that I didn't want to add too much to finish.  A simple gold foil, die-cut sentiment and a few gold pearls. 

Close-up ...

Sending the card above to the following challenges:

Christmas Kickstart #105 - If it's Christmasy, Link it Up!

Sparkles Christmas Challenge #179 - Poinsettia

 

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Next, I made one using shades of blue (Christine's favourite colour --- hopefully she has already received this card in the mail). :)

I was inspired by this photo ...

Same as the first card above, substituting silver foil for the gold, Salty Ocean Distress Ink for the reds, and silver pearls.

Close-up ...

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I'm going to sign-off my blog until next year.  As always, I truly appreciate your support through the year.  Thank you so much for your visits and comments!

Have a very Merry Christmas!

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Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Gold Foil card stock (SU!); Matte Silver card stock (SU!)

Ink:   Distress Inks:  Candied Apple, Aged Mahogany, Salty Ocean (Tim Holtz)

Accessories:   Poinsettia Bloom Etched dies (Spellbinders), Line it up: Christmas dies (Papertrey Ink), Gold pearls / Silver pearls (Studio Katia)

Challenges:

Christmas Kickstart #105 - If it's Christmasy, Link it Up!

Sparkles Christmas Challenge #179 - Poinsettia

Glitter Trees

Hi everyone.   I've been sick with the flu for a few weeks now and just starting to feel better.  This is why I haven't been by to visit and stopped posting.  I'm doing a bit better and hope to be fully recovered in time for the big day.  Don't want to miss out on the delicious turkey dinner!! :)

I came across a youtube video on this beautiful way to show off a tree die.  The video (by Pete Hughes - 24:01) is fairly long, but the technique is so pretty!  It has different ways to colour tree die-cuts and add glitter.  It's an easy technique, so I made multiples of this card. :)

I blended shades of purple onto the tree die creating an ombre effect.  I left a bit of space at the bottom white.  Then I sprayed the trees with adhesive and sprinkled with glitter.  The adhesive only held onto a little bit of the glitter, so I added a layer of white glue and more glitter ... thankfully it worked.  For the final step, I sprayed shimmer spray over top to seal the glitter.  I'll have to find a better spray adhesive for next time or maybe use glossy accents.

I die-cut a small circle from a post-it note (including the sticky strip on the back to hold it in place) and used it to mask my "moon" before sponging lightly over top with soft purple and pink.  Once the mask was removed, I added some very light shading to create shadows on the moon. 

I added a simple sentiment with gray ink to finish.

Close-up ... this shows how lovely and glittery the tree really are.

Sending the above card to ...

NBUS Challenge #81 - first time using this die

Peace on Earth Challenge #101 - Anything Christmas Goes

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Christmas Sentiments (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Picked Raspberry, Shaded Lilac, Wilted Violet, Villianious Potion (Tim Holtz); Shadow Grey Archival (Ranger)
Accessories:   Christmas Trees die (Temu), sponged, post-it note for masking, small circle die (Spellbinders), Spray Adhesive, Clear glitter, Shimmer Spray

Challenges:

NBUS Challenge #81

Peace on Earth Challenge #101 - Anything Christmas Goes

Peace on Earth

Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing my latest Christmas card.  It is a CASE (copy and share everything) of a beautiful card made by my friend, Hilary.  I just loved her card and the technique she used for making the beautiful night sky (Direct to Paper Inking).  Here's a link to Hilary's card post.  Thank you for the inspiration, dear friend!

I used the stamp pad to go direct to paper with three colours for the background (Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Unchartered Mariner).  Because of the saturated ink colours, this background is very bold and dramatic.  Adding in the black die-cut trees and white die-cut sentiment creates even more contrast.  I finished the card with simple white acrylic ink splatters.  This was so much fun and easy to do. :)

Close-up ...

Sending this card to the Peace on Earth Challenge #100.

Thanks for stopping by!

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Black card stock (SU!)

Ink:   Distress Inks:  Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Unchartered Mariner (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Row of Trees die (Memory Box - retired); Peace on Earth sentiment die (gift from a friend many years ago), White acrylic paint (diluted) for splattering

Challenges:

Peace on Earth Challenge #100

Group of Cardmakers - Stenciling with Mica Powders

Hi everyone.  This month at Group of Cardmakers, we are stenciling with mica powders.  I have a few different kinds in my studio - Perfect Pearls, Pearl-Ex, Arteza.  I've used the Arteza Mica Powders for all of today's cards. :)  This was a lovely gift from my dear friend, Barb.  Such beautiful colours!!

Please check out the details for this month's technique and link to video on the blog, along with more card samples from Pat, Susan, and Guest Designer Robyn.

Group of Cardmakers - November

Arteza Mica Powders have no binding agent.  Which means you have to add some sort of adhesive to get them to stick to card stock.  For this first card I added Versamark ink through my stencil and then sprinkled with Sticky Embossing Powder (Ranger).  I heat set the image (it melts really fast), which leaves the stenciled images sticky so the mica powders can adhere.  To make clean-up easier, I cleaned the stencil after adding the versamark ink and then added it back over top of the image, lining it up carefully.  I used a medium brush to add my Mica Powders (Lettuce Green, Tangerine Orange, Royal Orange, Caramel Brown).  I removed the stencil and tapped my card front onto a scrap piece of paper to catch the excess powders.  Then I heat set again (just for a few minutes) to reactivate the gluey embossing powder so it traps the mica powders.

To finish, I used a small piece of dry swiffer cloth to wipe off the excess powder in the background.  A torn vellum sentiment banner stamped with versamark and heat embossed with copper embossing powder is added over top.  I wrapped around the excess vellum and taped to the back of my card front before adhering to the base. :)

Close-up ...

Sending the above card to Stencil Fun November Challenge - Anything Stenciling Goes

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Next, I made a set of cards using the same stencil on black card stock.  One uses the Essential Glue Pad (Tsukineko), pressed over top of my stencil.  The second using Versamark ink followed by Sticky Embossing Powder (Ranger).  Both versions turned out really well and both images are set and don't rub off.  I outlined them using a silver metallic pen (Pilot) and added a simple sentiment banner to finish.  You'll see below the texture of the images is different.  The first is flat, the second has texture.  Both are very shimmery from the Mica Powders, but it doesn't show in the photos.

Using Glue Pad - no texture

 

                

Using Versamark and Sticky Powder - texture

Sending the above card to Rudolph Days November Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes.

Thanks for stopping by!

Card #1:

Stamps:  Gratitude (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Vellum
Ink:   Versamark
Accessories:   Mini Joyful Sunflower stencil (Crafter's Workshop); Sticky Embossing Powder (Ranger), heat tool, Arteze Mica Powders, medium brush, swiffer cloth, Copper embossing powder (Ranger)

Card #2 & #3:

Stamps:  Merry Messages (Lawn Fawn)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Black card stock (SU!)
Ink:   Essential Glue Pad; Versamark
Accessories:   Berry Branch - TM 48  stencil (Magenta), Sticky Embossing Powder (Ranger), heat tool, Arteze Mica Powders, medium brush, swiffer cloth, Silver embossing powder

Challenges:

Stencil Fun November Challenge - Anything Stenciling Goes

Rudolph Days November Challenge - Anything Christmas Goes

Poinsettia Postage

Hi everyone.  I enjoy using this postage stamp with Christmas images.  Here's another to add to my stash of Christmas cards. :)

This time I stamped the Posted (Penny Black) image directly onto my card front in soft gray ink.  I used a small piece of mixed media card to stamp the poinsettia image in black ink, heat embossing in clear.  I sized the panel to fit inside of the posted stamp, sponging the lower portion before watercolour the image with distress inks.  I popped the panel up onto my card front for some dimension.  The sentiment is on the inside.

Close-up ...

Sending this card to the We Love Stamping November Challenge - Anything Christmas.

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Posted (Penny Black); Poinsettia Poem (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Shadow Grey Archival (Ranger); Black (Memento); Distress inks:  Candied Apple, Lumberjack Plaid, Mowed Lawn, Rustic Wilderness, Mustard Seed (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:  Sponges, Clear embossing powder (Ranger), heat tool, watercolour paint brushes 

Challenges:

We Love Stamping November Challenge - Anything Christmas

Christmas Kickstart Challenge #104

Hi everyone.  

I had to play along at Christmas Kickstart Challenge #104 - Just Add Antlers.  I have quite a few reindeer dies and stamps.  The hard part was figuring which one to use. :)  I ended up pulling out my favourite die that I've had for several years.

I started by cutting a panel to the size I wanted and blending with distress inks.  Once the ink was dry, I splattered with frost white paint.

I centered the panel on my card base, leaving more space at the bottom so I could add my die-cut reindeers and trees (cut from silver matte foil card stock) ... and stamp the sentiment (Christmas Sentiments - Penny Black).

Close-up ...

* * * * *

Sharing the latest photos of Jessie and Violeta.  They were on their daily walk and stopped at a park near our house.  They do love their walks with "Poppy" (aka Alejandro). :)

You can just see the benches in the background.

They are situated right above the ocean and

it looks as though Jessie was getting a whiff of

the ocean breeze! :)

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Christmas Sentiments (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Silver Matte Foil card stock (SU!)
Ink:   Distress Inks:  Salvaged Patina, Salty Ocean, Wilted Violet (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Reindeer die (AliExpress), sponges, Frost White acrylic paint for splattering

Challenges:

Christmas Kickstart Challenge #104 - Just Add Antlers

Guest Designing at Color Hues #122

Hi everyone.  I'm so happy to be Guest Designing at Color Hues this month, hosted by the very talented Nanc' Leppek.  This is such a beautiful colour combination ... and perfect for Christmas cards.

   

For my card above I've used foil card stock for the main elements.  The ornament, Lavinia Snowflake Ornament - Poppy Stamps (long retired), is die-cut from matte silver (SU!) and shiny teal (Ranger).  I used the snowflake frame in silver and added the ornament piece cut from teal foil card stock.  A vertical strip was also cut from the teal foil card stock and both teal pieces were dry embossed with the Filigree Snowflakes folder (Simon Says Stamp).  After dry embossing, I used a sanding block to expose the silver foil underneath the teal layer, highlighting the beautiful snowflake design.

I added a simple stamped sentiment (Season's Gifts - Penny Black), stamped in Delicata Silver ink.

I had leftover pieces of embossed teal foil card stock, so I made a second card ...

I used a different, older die (Glowing Candles die - Memory Box).  Surprisingly, this die (released in 2013) is still on their website. :)  I cut the die twice, from Silver Matte Foil card stock (SU!) and more of the Teal foil card stock (Ranger).  I pieced them together and popped up the beautiful die over top of more of the embossed teal foil card stock with sanded, silver highlights. :)  I stamped the sentiment (Big Scripty Greetings Holiday - Simon Says Stamp - retired) with Silver Delicata ink to finish the card.

The challenge is open until the 29th, so there's lots of time to play along.  Hope to see you in the gallery!

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Season's Gifts (Penny Black); Big Scripty Greetings Holiday (Simon Says Stamp - retired)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Silver Matte foil card stock (SU!); Teal foil card stock (Ranger)
Ink:  Delicata Silver ink (Tsukineko)  
Accessories:   Lavinia Snowflake Ornament die (Poppy Stamps - retired); Filigree Snowflakes embossing folder (Simon Says Stamp), sanding block (PaperArtsy); Glowing Candlies die (Memory Box - retired)

Challenges:

Color Hues #122 - Teal and Silver

Autumn Tree

Hi everyone.  I love the colours of autumn, and here they are again in a background from my stash.  This was a very quick and easy card, simply adding a new-to-me tree die (cut in white), over top of my smooshed background.  A simple sentiment (Memory Box Signature Greetings - gift from friend) is stamped in brown ink to finish.  This literally took me less than 5 minutes to make. :)

Congrats to Just Us Girls Design Team on reaching their amazing milestone of 800 Challenges!!  WAY TO GO!! :)

Close-up ...

Sending this card to:

Just Us Girls Challenge #800 - Special Week - Anything Goes

NBUS Challenge #80 - using a new-to-me tree die for the first time (second entry)

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Signature Greetings (Memory Box - retired)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Watercolour Paper (Arches 140 lb.)
Ink:   Yellow, orange, pink spray watercolours; Ground Espresso DOX inks (Tim Holt)
Accessories:   Tree die (Temu Canada)

Challenges:

Just Us Girls Challenge #800 - Special Week - Anything Goes

NBUS Challenge #80

More Textured Tissue Paper with Dry Embossing

Hi everyone.  Today I'm sharing two more cards for Group of Cardmakers.  I am loving this combination of techniques!

This time I used the Rose embossing folder from Tim Holtz.  It is 3D, but not detailed with lots of open space around the roses.  Turns out the brayer is very attracted to the open spaces and I ended up with gold paint on the highlights of the embossing, plus a lot in the background.  The images still are beautiful, so I cut around the best parts and made two CAS cards. :)

I finished both cards the same ... simple white frame, and stamped sentiment (happy snippets - Penny Black) using Peeled Paint ink.

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Happy Snippets (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.)
Ink:  Distress Inks:  Peeled Paint, Picked Raspberry (Tim Holtz) 
Accessories:  tissue paper, Rose embossing folder (Tim Holtz), sponges, gold metallic paint (Lumiere), brayer, Rectangle Nestability die (Spellbinders - retired)

Challenges:

Group of Cardmakers - Textured Tissue Paper with Dry Embossing

Peeking Snowmen

Hi everyone.  I recently bought this really fun die.  This just makes me happy! :)  There are lots of bits and pieces (a lot of the die sets these days are like this).  So it takes a while to figure it all out the first time you use it.  I was really happy with how mine turned out. That was until the last step of splattering white paint.  You know how it goes sometimes. :)

The dies were cut out twice, once from white card stock (for the faces and hands), and once from mixed media paper (all the other pieces).  Watercoloured the snowmen accessories with Distress inks, and outlined all the pieces in black (used the side of a black brush tip SU! marker for the edges of the dies, a fine (.05 tip) black pen for the details ... faces, trim on toque & hat, birds.  Adding the outline of black makes it seem as if I used a stamp ... I didn't. :)  Added red chalk for the cheeks.

Also cut out a wooden frame from The Greetery (Curio Cover die), swiped one of the longer pieces with Memento Toffee Crunch (direct from stamp).  The sentiment was stamped in Blueprint Sketch DOX ink to finish. 

Close-up ...

Sending the above card to the following challenges:

NBUS Challenge #80 - first time using both the snowman die and the curio cover die

Merry Little Christmas Challenge #65

  

Thanks for stopping by!

Stamps:  Christmas Sentiments (Penny Black)

Paper:   White card stock (Neenah 110 lb.); Mixed Media (Strathmore 140 lb.)
Ink:   Toffee Crunch (Memento); Distress Inks:  Brushed Corduroy, Gathered Twigs, Salty Ocean, Blueprint Sketch, Spiced Marmalade, Candied Apple, Black Soot (Tim Holtz)
Accessories:   Peeking Snowmen die (Temu), Curio Cover die (The Greetery), red chalk, black marker (SU!), fine black pen, white acrylic pen (Posca), diluted white acrylic paint, splatter brush

Challenges:

NBUS Challenge #80

Merry Little Christmas Challenge #65