Smiley Snowman

Hi everyone.  Sharing another Christmas card.  This one uses a digital image of a sweet snowman ... he makes me smile! :)

I printed him onto white card stock and fussy cut.  Zig markers were used to colour in his nose and scarf.  A bit of detailing was added to the scarf with a white gel pen.

For the background, embossing paste was spread over a snowfall stencil, then sprinkled with iridescent embossing powder.  Once everything was dry, the embossing powder was heat set.  I love the sparkle.  Two torn snowbanks were added at the bottom, along with a simple stamped sentiment.

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On a personal note.  Sorry I haven't been around as much lately sharing cards.  I mentioned a while ago that my radiation treatments will be starting in January, but they were moved up and I'm in the middle of them now.  Should hopefully be finished my last treatment on Dec. 23.  It will be a wonderful Christmas present to have all my treatments done. :)

I have more scheduled posts that will be going up on my blog over the next few weeks, so you'll be hearing from me again soon.

Stamps:  Smiley Snowman (Sweet 'N Sassy); Snowman Sayings (Amy R)
Paper:  White (Neenah)
Ink:  Gumball Green, Zigs (Green and two shades of Orange)
Accessories & Tools:  Falling Snow stencil (Simon Says), embossing paste (Dreamweaver), "Ice" iridescent embossing powder (SU!), heat tool, white gel pen

Merry Monday Card Challenge #200

Hi everyone.  I'm am so excited to be one of the Guest Designers to celebrate Merry Monday's 200th Challenge! :)  Congrats to Lesley and the team for this wonderful accomplishment.  Merry Monday is a very popular challenge and a great way to get a stash of Christmas cards made throughout the year.

Each of the Design Team members was asked to bring a guest to the party, and I was thrilled when Bonnie (Stamping with Klass) asked me.  Thanks Bonnie!! xx

Here is the challenge.  There's four different pictures to choose from for your inspiration.

I love the elegant picture with the silver glitter and pink ornaments.  That was my inspiration for the card above.  I started by stamping some splats onto my card front and heat embossing in silver.

Inka Gold (in rose, platinum and silver) was smooshed onto a piece of white card stock, and then die-cut for the solid ornament.  The intricate patterned top layer of the ornament was cut with silver glimmer paper.

To finish, the sentiment was heat embossed in silver onto black card stock and cut into a thin banner.  The ornament and banner are both popped up to add dimension to the card.

Used snippets for the ornament and banner, so I'm heading over for some play time at the Snippets Playground.

I've been inspired lately by my good friend, Hazel (My Craft Attic).  She frequently adds black to her card designs.  Just adding the thin, black banner really made the other colours pop.  Thank you Hazel!

Here's a close-up ...

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I couldn't help but make a second card for this fun challenge.  LOVE that adorable snowman in the inspiration photo.  It reminded me of a sweet digital file I have from Sweet 'n Sassy.  This snowman makes me smile! :)

The digital image was printed onto white card stock and fussy cut.  Zig markers were used to colour in his nose and scarf.

For something different, coloured card stock was used for the background, with sparkle texture effect spread over a snowfall stencil.  I love the sparkle. :)  Two torn snowbanks were added at the bottom, along with a simple stamped sentiment.  To finish it off, the top right corner was rounded..

I hope you'll come join the party at Merry Monday and help celebrate the 200th challenge.  Make a Christmas card using one of the four photos above as your inspiration ... any style of card is welcome!

Hope to see you at Merry Monday!  :)

Edited to add:  Heading over to join the fun at Muse Christmas Visions #39 - inspired by Kimberley Wiener.  Entering my snowman card above.  Thanks Kimberley!

Kimberley's MUSE card

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Since this snowman card has stamping, stenciling, embossing paste and tearing, it's another example for the CAS Mix Up April Challenge.

Pink & Silver ornament card:
Stamps:  Gorgeous Grunge, Warmth & Wonder - sentiment (SU!)
Paper:  White (Neenah); Black, Silver Glimmer (SU!)
Ink:  Versamark
Accessories & Tools:  Inka Gold (Rose, Platinum, Silver), water mister, Ornament Set 2 (Elizabeth Craft Designs), Silver embossing powder, heat tool, silver cording

Smiley Snowman card:
Stamps:  Smiley Snowman (Sweet 'N Sassy); Christmas Sampler (Paper Smooches)
Paper:  White (Neenah); Bermuda Bay (SU!)
Ink:  Real Red (SU!), Zigs (Red and two shades of Orange)
Accessories & Tools:  Falling Snow stencil (Simon Says), sparkle texture effect (Martha Stewart), Corner Rounder (We R Memory Keepers)

Challenges:
Merry Monday 200th Challenge
CAS Mix Up April Challenge - Stenciling
Snippets Playground - Week 224
MUSE Christmas Visions #39 - Kimberley

Penguin Christmas

Hi everyone.  I'm so relieved ... it has finally cooled down a bit here.  We've been going through a heat wave for the past couple of weeks (yes, weeks!).  I have not been feeling well and really think that the heat made things worse, so I'm hoping now that it's cooler, I'll be feeling a lot better.  My mojo returned yesterday after a couple of days of hiatus, so I took the opportunity to make a card. :)  It was inspired by several challenges. :)

First up, Merry Monday (#166) wants penguins on our Christmas card ... then AAA Cards (#43) has an inspiration photo of a starry night. :)  Plus, CAS on Sunday (#62) wants us to use Embossing . :)  And last, but not least, ATS&M #152 - Make Your Mark --- perfect! :)  They all came together into this one card.  So fun! :)

   

I started by placing a star stencil over my card front and pouncing with Versamark Ink, and then embossed in silver.  Next I printed off the digital image, cut out the bottom portion with a wavy line about 1/2 " above the sentiment to make my snow, and added some texture along the top edge.  I coloured the penguins with Copics, added some white dots with my gel pen, more of the texture snow for the hat cuffs and pompoms, and glossy accents on the noses for a little shine.  I fussy cut them out and popped them up over my starry background. :)  I really had fun making this and love the red and blue colours.

I hope you'll check out these fun challenges and play along too.

Thanks for stopping by for a visit!

Stamps:  Simply for Christmas (DigiStampBoutique)

Paper:  White (Neenah)
Ink:  Versamark; Tumbled Glass, Peacock Feathers (Distress inks by Tim Holtz); Copics
Accessories & Tools:  Star stencil cut with my Silhouette Cameo, silver embossing powder (Ranger), sponges, white gel pen, Sparkle Texture Effect (Martha Stewart), Glossy Accents

Challenges:

Merry Monday #166 - Penguins
AAA Cards #43 - Starry Night
CAS on Sunday #62 - Embossing
ATS&M #152 - Make Your Mark

Christmas Gift

Hi everyone.  Couldn't resist joining in this week's challenge from Merry Monday #150 - Gifts.

Haven't used my copics for a while, so pulled them out and coloured this adorable digital image from Bugaboo.  Added a little bit of sparkle to the furry on his hat and pompom using my clear wink of stella pen.  I also went over the JOY lettering with the clear wink of stella to give it a bit of sparkle, but it just made it look blurry in the photo. :(

We've had lots of rain over the past few days, so I've spent lots of time in my studio. Did manage to get several cards made even though my mojo is struggling at the moment.  I'll be sharing my cards with you over the next few weeks. :)

Stamps:  Christmas Teddy (Bugaboo Digital Stamps), Big Christmas Words (Amy R)
Paper:  White (Neenah)
Ink:  Real Red, Pistachio Pudding; Copics: G43, R27, R29, E44, E77
Accessories & Tools:  Clear Wink of Stella pen, Maraschino Twine (The Twinery), Classic Tags die (Memory Box), sponge

Challenges:

Merry Monday #150 - Gifts

Out on a Limb

Hi everyone.  Today is the start of the new challenge at Addicted to CAS.  This time, the challenge is hosted by the very talented Vicki (All I Do Is Stamp).

Our sponsor for this challenge is

I used free digital images available from Scribbles Designs (click on link above), to create this fun card.  I fussy-cut the pieces and paper layered (paper pieced) the owl, sponging around the outside edges of all the pieces to add shading and depth. Then I glued it together, added clear wink of stella to the beak and eyes before coating them in glossy accents.  So fun!  The leaves with fussy-cut, sponged for shading, and shaped with my stylus and mat before mounting them to a die-cut branch.

This month we are so thrilled to have Birgit (Rapport fran ett skrivbord) joining us as Guest Designer.  Please click HERE to see Birgit's amazing "green" card, along with the cards from the rest of our talented Design Team.

Come join in the fun and play along.  Make a CAS card that includes green and enter the challenge ... hope to see you in the gallery! :)

I'm entering this card into Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Things that fly.

Stamps:  Owl and Leaves (free digital images from Scribbles Designs); On a Limb (Stampendous)

Paper:  White (Neenah); River Rock, Baked Brown Sugar, Pear Pizzazz (SU!)
Ink:  River Rock, Baked Brown Sugar, Tangerine Tango, Old Olive (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Twigs & Berries die (Memory Box), sponges, stylus and mat, clear wink of stella, crystal effects

Challenges:

ATCAS #59 - Green
Simon Says Wednesday - Things that Fly

Rose Garden

Hi everyone.  Today is the start of the March Sketch Challenge at Happy Little Stampers.  Kylie has come up with another awesome, CAS sketch ... which can be used for ANY style of card (doesn't have to be CAS).  I hope you'll come and play along! :)

Here's the sketch ...

I pretty much copied the sketch :)  Love this fun image from Bugaboo called Two Roses ... I know ... there are three :)  I copied the image twice and then masked off the fourth rose to just have the three.  Turned out really well.  The above card is the second version I made. :)  Unfortunately, I thought the sentiment was at the bottom on the sketch ... where was my head at??!! :)  So I have a second version that is basically the same except for sentiment placement. :)

I printed the digital image onto my card front, coloured it with Copics, used clear Wink of Stella over all the black lines (including the sentiment) to add a bit of sparkle.  I cut out the card front with my stitched rectangle mat and then added the Paper Smooches sentiment.  It was a fun and easy card to make --- twice! :)  I hope you'll come and play along with our Sketch Challenge.

And, if you also enter your card into the same challenge located on the Happy Little Stampers Forum, your name is automatically entered for a random, monthly draw prize.

And I'm joining in at Challenge #18 - Birthday at Uniko Studios.  Thanks Sandie!! :)

Stamps:  Two Roses (Bugaboo Stamps); Sentiment Sampler (Paper Smooches)
Paper:  White (Neenah)
Ink:  Black (Memento)
Accessories & Tools:  Copics:  R29, R39, G43, YG67, Clear Wink of Stella, Stitched Mat die (Lil' Inkers)

Challenges:

HLS March Sketch
Uniko - Challenge #18 - Birthdays

Christmas Critter

Hi everyone.  I'm just squeaking in at the last minute for the Merry Monday Challenge (#141 - Critters). :)

I bought this fun digi from Birdie Brown (no longer available).  But, I believe some of her wonderful designs are now sold as clear stamps at My Favorite Things.  :)

The sentiment is from Pink Petticoat (also digital), so I spent a bit of time on the computer getting this ready to print.  Then I paper pieced it, cutting it out of white for a sturdy background and piecing on top with the two shades of brown.  I sponged around each of the pieces to give it some dimension.  I coated the nose with my white gel pen and once dry, squeezed red glitter glue on top.  Love how it adds a bit of sparkle to the card, along with the shiny metal jingle bells.

That's it ... fun and easy card to make that had me smiling the whole time I was working on it! :)

Edited to Add:  My friend Susan mentioned a new-to-me challenge - 52 Christmas Card Throwdown, where their current challenge is bells.  So I'm entering there too! :)

Stamps:  Happy Santa (Birdie Brown); Signature Christmas Sentiments 2 (Pink Petticoat)
Paper:  White (Neenah); Baked Brown Sugar, Early Espresso (SU!)
Ink:  Baked Brown Sugar, Early Espresso (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  sponges, silver wired cording (thanks Bonnie!); two small green jingle bells, white gel pen, red glitter glue

Challenges:
Merry Monday #141
52 Christmas Card Throwdown

You Mean the World to Me!

Hi everyone.  Time for the first challenge of 2015 at Addicted to CAS (#55).  This challenge is being hosted by the talented Jaydee (Stampin! with Jaydee) ... and she chose this word ...

Our challenge is sponsored by

I used a free digital image from Melonheadz.  I've had it a long time ... just waiting for the perfect challenge to come along ... and this is it! :)  I printed the image and sentiment onto white card stock and coloured with Copics.  That's it ... simple CAS design.

It's the start of the new year with our newest ATCAS Design Team members joining us for the first time.  A big welcome to Barb, Bonnie, Rebecca, Jan and Joanna! :)

And, this month we have a very special Guest Designer, Julia from Create with Me. Julia has a wonderful CAS style ... and she also does mixed media projects.  I have learned so much from visiting her blog!!  So great to have you with us Julia!

Please click HERE to check out Julia's beautiful world card, along with the cards from the rest of our wonderful Design Team.  I'm sure you'll be inspired to play along! :)

Our challenge is open for two weeks ... hope to see you in the gallery!

I'm entering this into the current challenge at ATS&M #127 - Make Your Mark.  I used Copics for my colouring! :)  And also in the NBUS challenge ... I used this digital image for the first time after having it for AGES! :)

Stamps:  Girl with Earth --- with matching sentiment (Melonheadz)
Paper:  White (Neenah)
Ink:  Copics:  G43, YG67, B06, B16, Y21, Y32, YR24, R29, R39, W4, E00, E01

Challenge:
ATS&M #127
NBUS #3

Love ...

Hi everyone.  Today is the start of a new challenge at ATS&M (#126 - Anything Goes with a twist).  The twist is that we are celebrating our team mate Marina's wedding that will be happening in just over one week's time.  Marina has been working so hard on organizing her wedding, so we took this opportunity while she was distracted, to set up this week's challenge in her honour. :)  We're sure she is going to be surprised! :)

This card has been done for a while and is currently winging it's way to Singapore ... I just hope it makes it in time :)  Congrats Marina!!  All the best to you and your hubby-to-be.  Enjoy your special day!!  xx

The challenge is sponsored by

Prize:  3 digital images

I had so much fun colouring this adorable image from DigiStamp Boutique.  I used Copics, and added some glossy accents to the beaks, and hearts ... and a little sparkle on the flower with Wink of Stella.  I fussy-cut the image and popped it up on a panel that was dry embossed with rows of tiny hearts.  A simple sentiment finishes the card.

Please click HERE to check out the challenge and see the wonderful cards made by the rest of the Design Team.

I wanted to let you know that this will be my last Design Team card for ATS&M.  I'm stepping down at the end of the year so wanted to thank all of you that take the time to check out the ATS&M challenges from my blog.  So appreciated!  And to all my team mates at ATS&M ... I have really enjoyed working with you!

I have been working on a new project for Kylie over at Happy Little Stampers Forum so you'll find me over there and on the Happy Little Stampers Blog with a new CAS monthly challenge starting January 3rd.  It's going to be fun!!  Hope you'll join us!

Stamps:  Merlin & Blinky - Love (DigiStamp Boutque); Forever (Fiskars)
Paper:  White (Neenah)
Ink:  Real Red; Copics:  G43, YG67, R29, R59, W4, E44, E49, YR24, V09, V25,
Accessories & Tools:  Glossy Accents, Wink of Stella, Hearts embossing folder (Sizzix for SU!)

Snow Family

Hi everyone.  Today's card is for the new challenge at ATCAS #54.  This one is being run by the very talented Shana (Stress-Free Stamping with Shana).  She chose this code word ...

This challenge is sponsored by

Prize:  5 digital images

I love my snow family image ... so adorable and lots of fun to colour.  I was smiling the whole time I was working on this card. :)

I printed off the digital image onto white cardstock, fussy-cut and then coloured it with Copics.  Sparkle was added to the scarves and hats with a clear Wink of Stella pen, and dimension and shine were added to the noses and heart with glossy accents.

The snowy background patterned paper and hill of snow are both cut with stitched-line detail dies and a fun sentiment was stamped in black to finish.

Click HERE to check out the challenge and see the rest of the design team's fabulous "family" cards.  There's lots of time to play along, the challenge is open until Dec. 27th.

Stamps:  Snow Family (Dilly Beans); Snowman Sayings (Amy R)
Paper:  White; Cheery & Jolly (Paper Studio)
Ink:  Black (Memento); Copics:  BG72, BG57, G43, YG67, YR24, R29
Accessories & Tools:  Clear Wink of Stella, Glossy Accents, Stitched mat die (Lil' Inkers); Stitched border die (Pretty Pink Posh)

Finding the Perfect Christmas Tree

Hi everyone.  Today is the start of the next ATS&M Challenge (#122 - Make Your Mark). Any style of card is welcome, just make sure to use some sort of marker on your card (markers, pencils, chalks, etc.).

This challenge is sponsored by

Prize:  3 digital images

I'm continuing to add to my stash of Christmas cards ... I'm almost done! :)

I have used a digital image for my card today.  Even though it is one layer (one layer of design on the card front, which is popped up on the card base), I have added a lot of dimension to the image with glossy accents, clear glitter glue and white flower soft.  And even though this is a CAS design (in my mind, CAS is a style of card ... a look of clean and simple) ... it still has a lot going on with the added elements.

The image is coloured with Copics, glossy accents are added to the penguin's nose, feet ... and the Christmas lights.  Clear glitter glue adds sparkle to the falling snow ... and along the snowline at the bottom.  And white flower soft adds texture to the cuff and pom-pom of the Santa hat.  I used a white gel pen to add dots to Percy's scarf.

I hope you'll play along with our latest challenge at ATS&M (#122 - Make Your Mark). Click HERE to check out the challenge and to see the other cards from the talented Design Team.

Stamps:  Percy and Christmas Tree (DigiStamp Boutique), Christmas Sampler - sentiment (Paper Smooches)

Paper:  White (Neenah)
Ink:  Real Red (SU!); Copics:  R27, R29, G43, YG67, YR24, BG57, E44, W4, O
Accessories & Tools:  glossy accents, dazzling details (clear glitter glue - SU!), white flower soft, white gel pen

Snowy Christmas

Hi everyone.  It's time for a new challenge at Addicted to CAS.  This one is being hosted by our very talented and fun-loving, Marie (bailey rosy) ... and she chose this wonderful code word ...

This challenges is sponged by

Prize:  3 digital images

I started out by sponging two colours of Distress inks on vellum for the misty sky. Diluted white acrylic paint was splattered over top for the falling snow.  I printed off a fun digital image of a snowman, but he seemed too solid white to go with the background, so I printed it off again onto vellum and layered it on top of the white snowman ... love how he has a bit of a misty look as well.  His nose and scarf are coloured with Copics, and dots from a white gel pen decorate the scarf.  Easy, peasy card.

I loved the look of the sponged sky on vellum so much that I had to make a second card :)  This time making it more elegant with a snowy hillside scene and lots of glitter.

Hannelie is again joining us as our Guest Designer at ATCAS.  Click HERE to check out her amazing vellum design, along with the fabulous vellum cards from the rest of the Design Team.

The challenge is open for two weeks so there's lots of time to join in the fun! :)


I'm entering this into the fabulous challenge at Merry Monday (#130 - Silent Night). It is being run by LeAnne and she picked a gorgeous inspiration photo ... and I think my second vellum card works well for the challenge.

Smiling Snowman:

Stamps:  Smiley Snowman (Sweet 'n Sassy);  Winter Chuckles (C.C. Designs)
Paper:  White (Neenah);  Vellum (Bazzill - 40 lb.)
Ink:  Broken China, Peacock Feathers (Tim Holtz); Smoky Slate (SU!); Copics
Accessories & Tools:  Sponges, paint brush for splattering, white acrylic paint, Rectangle Nestabilities (Spellbinders)white gel pen

Snowy Hillside:
Stamps:  Holiday Sketches: Christmas Flower - sentiment only (STAMPlorations)
Paper:  White (Neenah); Vellum (Bazzill - 40 lb.)
Ink:  Broken China, Peacock Feathers (Tim Holtz); Smoky Slate
Accessories & Tools:  Sponges, paint brush for splattering, white acrylic paint, Rectangle Nestabilities (Spellbinders), dazzling details (SU!); Fir Tree border die (impression Obsession); Modern Landscape die (Memory Box)

Challenges:
Merry Monday #130

High Tea

Hi everyone.  Time for a new challenge at ATCAS.  This challenge is being hosted by the very talented Sandie (London Days) and she choose this fantastic code word ...

This challenge is being sponsored by

I started thinking about what I find is a luxury to me ... and I came up with going to High Tea with my girlfriends.  So much fun to get together, have some laughs, and be waited on with delicious little cakes and tea ... this is a luxury to me! :)

I printed off the sweet digital image of cakes and colored them with my Stampin' Write markers.  I added some dazzling details to give the icing some sparkle ... and added glossy accents to the hearts and cherry for dimension and shine.

I used a heart embossing strip for the background and added a simple sentiment to finish.

I hope you'll join us for this fun challenge.  I want to thank Lyndal for being our Guest Designer this month ... she has done a fabulous job --- her cards are so beautiful and inspiring - thank you Lyndal!!  Click HERE to see Lyndal's take on the code word ... and to see the other amazing creations by our very talented design team.

Just a note that this challenge is only open for one week (not the usual two), so please remember to get your luxury cards linked up within the next seven days. Looking forward to seeing you in the gallery!

Stamps:  Tea Time (DigiStamp Boutique); Sweet Sentiments (Amy R)
Paper:  White (Neenah)
Ink:  Black, So Saffron, Certainly Celery, Pretty in Pink, Chocolate Chip, Real Red (SU!)
Accessories & Tools:  Gold Paint (Lumiere), dazzling details, glossy accents, heart embossing strip (Sizzix for SU!)