Mission EMBOSS-ible, Take 2!

Happy Friday!

I'm excited that today is Friday, and I get to sleep in tomorrow and Sunday, sort of.  This afternoon, my daughter, her BFF and I are headed to Kansas City for the Maroon 5 concert tomorrow.  I cannot wait to see Mr. Adam Levine, up close and personal.  Anyway, onto my card for today.

It's the second week of the embossing challenge over at the jingle belles blog.  Here is what I made.

I wanted to keep this card simple as well, again, focusing on the embossing.  I included both wet and dry for this card too.  The Nativity Border die from Taylored Expressions was perfect for this card, and it really looks lovely set against the dark blue background.  I wanted to add a bit of "something" to my card, but wasn't sure what.  Then I decided to stamp the smallest star from the Verve Star of Wonder set, and then cut it out.  For some added "pop", I added some gold Wink of Stella, and called it done.  Simple and elegant.  I think I will make a few more of these, in different colors, and send them to the people in my bible study group.  I know they'd love them.

Again, Stephanie and Lauren have created two gorgeous cards for this week.  You should head over to the blog to see what them.  They're nothing short of amazing.

Have a wonderful day!

What's In It?
Paper: Neenah Desert Storm & Solar White Cardstock, SU! Night of Navy Cardstock
Stamps: Verve Star Of Wonder
Ink: VersaMark, Gold Wink of Stella
Accessories: Simon Says Stamp Detail White Embossing Powder, Taylored Expressions Nativity Border Die, SU! Cloudy Day Embossing Folder

Mission EMBOSS-ible!

Hello my friends!

I'm so excited to have you stop by today!  I have a card to share with you, as a guest, over on the jingle belles blog.  Lauren and Stephanie make amazing holiday cards each week, so I was thrilled to be joining them for the next two weeks.  I'm sure you know by now, how much I enjoy making holiday cards as well, so this was a win/win for me.  This challenge is one of my favorites too, embossing.  Here is the card I made.

I wanted to keep things simple, so that the focus would be on the embossing.  I included both wet and dry embossing on my card, as I love both.  I wanted a pink poinsettia, and think it turned out pretty well.  I used the colors from Color Throwdown #331, as they really struck me as being beautiful, and played into my love of non-traditional Christmas cards.  I added some leaves, and a few Pretty Pink Posh sequins, and was done.  I like the simplicity of this card, with the embossing and the sentiment as the main focus.  I'm going to submit this card for the following challenges.

Virginia's View Challenge: Embossing
The Card Concept #30: Photo Inspiration
ODBDSLC230: Sketch (my loose interpretation)


Stephanie and Lauren have created two beautiful cards for your viewing pleasure, and I do hope you'll head over to check them out.  Maybe you'll get the chance to play along and slowly build your holiday card stash in the process? :-)

Have a wonderful day!

      





What's In It?
Paper: Neenah Desert Storm Cardstock, Simon Says Stamp Cotton Candy Cardstock
Stamps: Simon Says Stamp Peace On Earth
Ink: VersaMark, Simon Says Stamp Doll Pink Dye Ink
Accessories: Simon Says Stamp Detail White Embossing Powder, Pretty Pink Posh Pink Peonies Sequins, Sierra Scroll Embossing Folder, Spellbinders Blossom 2 Dies

Winter Wishes

Greetings!

It's kind of gray and overcast this morning, so I plan on doing very little today, with the exception of spending time with my daughter.  School starts on Tuesday, so we're trying to get one more day of fun laziness and movies in, before she goes.  I can't believe how rapid this year is going by.  It seems like just yesterday we were celebrating the New Year.  Wow...

Anyway, I have another card to share today.

I love these snowflakes!  Even though you can't tell in the picture, the snowflakes are very sparkly.  Thank goodness for glitter glue.  I think I'm the only papercrafter out there who does NOT like glitter.  I don't own any, except for a bottle of Dazzling Details from Stampin Up. lol

I'm excited to combine the following challenges.

Christmas Cards All Year Round August: Sparkle & Shine
Cardabilities #105: Sketch
Jingle Belles: Hanukkah Song (a winter or winter holiday card other than Christmas)
Just Us Girls #254: Blue, Green & Any Neutrals
Christmas Card Challenge #38: Embossing (the polka dots are embossed in clear)

That's all for me.  I'm off to cook a few meals for the week, and wait for her to wake up so we can start our movie marathon.  I hope everyone has a great day!

Hugs!

What's In It:
Paper: Papertrey Ink Kraft cardstock, SU Very Vanilla cardstock, Blue & White Snowflake patterned paper, Green Polka Dota patterned paper
Stamps: Verve Glad Tidings, CASual Fridays Snowflake Greetings & Out Loud, Papertrey Ink Polka Dot Basics 2
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black dye ink, VersaMark, Frayed Burlap distress ink, WPlus9 Ocean Drive dye ink
Accessories: Simon Says Stamp Kate & Eliza Snowflake dies, Studio Calica Green Gems, SU Dazzling Details

Peace, Love and Sparkly Stuff

Happy Sunday!

I can't believe the weekend is almost over already.  It seems like just a few minutes ago, the weekend was just beginning.  I'm happy that it was pretty relaxing around here, and that I was able to spend lots of time in my crafty space.  I feel so refreshed to have my creative mojo back.  I love being able to build my stash again too.  Here is the next card I have to share with you.

I think this is one of my favorite Christmas cards this year, so far.  And, I love that the jingle bells jingle. *giggle*  I am determined on mailing cards out this year, with a photo of the four of us, so I'm glad I have another to add to the box.  I'm going to enter this into the following challenges.

Jingle Belles: Taking A Header (create a card based on their blog header)
Merry Monday Challenge #118: Ribbon & Buttons (thanks MarieB for introducing me to this challenge)
Christmas Card Challenge #35: Anything Goes

This card helped inspire something we have been working on lately.  As of 9pm last evening, we now have colors chosen.  The wedding will be small and intimate, with family and close friends only, surrounded by deep purple, silver and black.  We're still working on the guest list, but at least we're making progress on everything.

I really love the deep, rich purple and since it's a winter wedding, I think it fits perfectly.  I think he'll look very handsome in a gray suit with a black vest and deep purple tie.  I'm off to finish laundry, and head out to watch some of my daughters friends play in the beach volleyball tournament today.  It's only supposed to be a high of 76, so it's going to be fabulous outdoor weather.  I hope ya'll have a great day!

Stay crafty my friends!

What's In It?
Paper: Papertrey Ink Kraft cardstock, SU Very Vanilla cardstock, SU Purple patterned Paper, Bo Bunny Cream patterned paper
Stamps: Reverse Confetti Tinsel 'N Trim
Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black dye ink
Accessories: Jingle bells, Silver trimmed white satin ribbon, Maya Road wood button

Two For One

Hello!

How's your day going?  I'm enjoying a bit of a break from the chaos that is 4 teenage girls sleeping over, while they're at the pool.  I can only imagine that they're going to come back sunburned and/or "crispy" from being there most of the afternoon. lol  In the nice, quiet, alone time I have had, I created two cards.  I usually only post one at a time, but I wanted to share both of these right now.  I was a bit impatient in sharing these. :-)

Here is the first.

A few weeks ago I saw a card posted using a crochet mat.  I did some investigating, and found that Jessi Fogan, makes AND sells them.  I was super excited to place my order, and was even more excited when they arrived so quickly at my house the other day (she's awesome!).  I've asked her to try to find some neon thread.  Wouldn't they be awesome?!  It had been a while since I'd created anything but a square card, so I went with round for this one.  My peach/white flourish panel is actually the emboss resist technique, which I really should do more often.  I matted it in a pale yellow, and added it to my sage green crochet mat.  I then added a wood veneer banner that came in one of my Simon Says Stamp card kits, a twine bow, a hand crocheted flower I ordered on Etsy, and a few sequins.  In all, I think this card took me 20 minutes to complete, and I love it!

I've combined the following challenges in this card:

Stampin Royalty #189 - Photo Inspiration (hope I got close enough to the colors)
Drunken Stampers #137 - Twine (Hi Jessi!!)
Totally Gorjuss #197 - Die Cuts/Punches (my shaped card was made with dies)

And, here is the second card. 

If you know me, you know I LOVE blue.  I reminded myself about the need to continue my use of the emboss resist technique, and wound up with this beauty.  I made two identical panels, only one is embossed with snowflakes and has Mr. Huey's mist on it.  For a bit of added interest, I matted them in opposite directions.  The bottom layer starts with the darker colors at the top, and the focal panel starts with the lighter colors at the top.  I have to say, this turned out much better than I expected.  I added an MFT snowflake, a beautiful I Am Roses paper flower, and some cork paper leaves on top of my ribbon and sentiment, and was finished.  I think the emboss resist technique will be used again this afternoon, for some gift tags.  Or maybe a couple of bookmarks.  Ooooh, yeah...that would work!

I've combined the following challenges in this card:

Cards Galore August Challenge - Bingo (embossing/masks, sprays/inks, ribbon)
Cardabilities #81 - Sketch
Jingle Belles - Tic Tac Toe (embossing heat or dry, ribbon, stamping)
Just Add Ink #178 - Just Add Snowflakes
Just Us Girls #202 - Monochromatic Blues

Now that my long post is done, I've got a question to ask you awesome crafty people!  I recently started thinking that I might want to try my hand at getting published.  I've added it to my bucket list, but am in no hurry.  What advice would you give someone who's never tried this?  Any tips or hints at anything to help me out would be greatly appreciated. 

I'm off to try to create something else to share later in the week.  I'll be back on Monday with my next House of Cards project.  Hopefully, you'll get the chance to stop by and check out what I've made for that.  I do hope the rest of your weekend is fantastic!

Stay crafty my friends!

Happy Holidays

Yola!!

As mentioned in my last post, I was busy last weekend, crafting up a storm.  I don't think I've made more than one card in months.  Here's the next one I want to share.

I haven't created a Christmas card in months!  It's weird not making them, after having to create one every week, for the last four years. lol  I used my June Simon Says Stamp card kit for this card as well.  Who says you can't use regular papers for holiday cards, right?  I love how this turned out! 

I've combined the following challenges in my card today:

Jingle Belles - Sketch
Christmas Card Challenge #28 - Lace (I have just a hint of lace peeking out from under my sentiment)

I'm off to work.  I'll be back soon with another something crafty.  Hope your week is going well.
Hugs!

2012 Christmas Card Challenge Week #22

Hola!!

I hope today finds you in good health, and good spirits. 

It's Sunday, which brings us to another Christmas Card challenge.  This weeks challenge is to use Punches.  For all of the details, click HERE.

The idea in my head would have produced a card that looked like a gift wrapped Christmas present.  Unfortunately, I wasn't able to make the idea work to my liking.  I wanted to keep the big, bold bow though, so this is what I did with it instead.  I've had this gorgeous ribbon in my stash for over a year, and have never used it.  It took me a while to get the bow somewhat decent, but I'm happy with it.  I like the teal and rust with the cream color combo.  I wasn't sure how it would turn out, but it's pretty cool.  It's very different for me.  I'm going to enter this into the following challenges as well.

Dare To Be Sassy Thursday #122 - Christmas with a sentiment.
Christmas Stamping All Year Long #8 - Anything Goes
Jingle Belles - Celebrate Earth Day (Recycle - use your scraps.  The patterned paper and cream punched piece were both scraps on my desk)
52 Christmas Card Throwdown - Embellishment Challenge #4: Buttons or Bows
Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Challenge #70 - Sentiment without the word Christmas.

The cards posted at the CCC blog today are fabulous, as usual.  I do hope you'll head over and check them out, and maybe, just maybe get started on your Christmas cards for this year.  You think?

Have a great day!
Hugs!

Christmas Card Challenge Week #32

Hi everyone!

I hope your week went by as quickly as mine did, and that you've enjoyed a nice weekend.  Unfortunately, I had to work this weekend, which left little time for fun.  Boo!  It's ok though, I'll make up for it next weekend. :)

Sunday brings us another Christmas Card Challenge.  This weeks challenge is paper piecing.  For this weeks challenge, click HERE.

I seldom paper piece anything.  I found out just how bad I am at it this week too.  Not sure why I had such a difficult time, but this is attempt number 3. lol  I paper pieced his pants, sweater, hat and scarf.  I'm happy with the results, it just took longer to finish.  This image is too cute though.  I should use him more often, and I love the touch of liquid applique for the hat.  This card is slightly smaller than an A2 as well.  I think I'm going to use it as a gift card, maybe.  I've also come across some new, to me, challenges I've combined in this card.

Eat, Sleep, Stamp #138 - Sketch
Jingle Belles - Holiday Leftovers (use scraps - my card is almost entirely scraps)
Moving Along With The Times #106 - Christmas in July
Stampin With The Dragon - Christmas In July
Paper Sundaes #77 - Paper Piecing (and they just happened to be sponsored by Heather Ellis today too!)

So, how many Christmas/holiday cards do you have made this year?  There are only 4 months until the holidays again.  Why not get a head start on your Christmas cards?  The designers have created some amazing cards for you this week.  I do hope you'll check them out.

Have a great day!
Hugs!