Phoebe

I am happy to have had time to make a Winter card today using a new to me stamp set from Your Next Stamp called Winter Wonderland Phoebe. There are many other Phoebe stamps they offer, and this is my first. She has the cutest face, and along with her is the sled, and cute animals to go along as well. The snowflakes, border, and sentiment are also in this set. I am following a sketch from the YNS challenge:

I stamped, colored with Spectrum markers, and fussy cut Phoebe and the cute little owl. The sled is stamped onto the die cut circle and colored. I mounted this onto a piece of pattern paper from YNS called Woodland. I also added a few enamel dots and silver thread for accents.

Thank you for your visit!

Snowflake Frame Back

Sharing another gift for a friend I made using the backing from one of the picture frames. I forgot to take a photo before mailing off, so this is her photo she took and shared on my Facebook page.

The frame backing uses a piece of water color paper that I stamped and heat embossed with clear using the pretty snowflake from a Unity kotm kit. The blues were sponged with Distress inks, then splashed with water. I finally got a pretty result from the technique! I wrapped some silver thread around before gluing to the backing, and added a sentiment from another Unity kit.

The card was made in the same way, except I stamped the snowflake in blue, then clear embossed, and used lighter blue inks. I'm happy she liked this little gift!

Thanks so much for visiting! I'm starting my Winter cards now, but have nothing completed :) Will share something soon!

One Last Gift

I made one last gift for my cousin in Florida. It will not arrive before Christmas, but I think she will like it just the same. She loves feathers and the peace, love hippie vibe(me too!)

I shared in my last post all the gifts I made for coworkers. Well, most of the 5x7 frames still had the glass and backing on them, and of course I kept them all for other projects! So the base of this is a frame back with the easel still intact. Perfect for paper art display!

I stamped this feather from a Donna Downey Unity kit on white card. I colored it with bright alcohol markers because I knew I wanted a vellum layer on top. The peace sign from Stampin Up was inked in matching colors and stamped randomly about.

I glued both layers down on the frame back and added some lace trim. The sentiment from Unity was stamped and die cut, and popped up on the bottom.

I have lots more of these frame backs to play with, along with the glass too. Haven't thought of a project for the glass pieces yet, but I will!!

Have a wonderful and Merry Christmas!!

Christmas Gifts

Another year for making coworkers gifts. I saw something similar on my favorite place for ideas, Pinterest. They are made with picture frames that I gathered from our local thrift and goodwill stores.

I spray painted them with primer, then hand painted them with two coats of acrylic paint. Once dry, I distressed them a little with a sanding block. I wrapped the pine garland around them, made the bows, then hot glued small pine cones on them that I collected from a tree at my Mom's.

I made 15 of these for everyone at work, two more for my husband's bosses, and another for my Mom. I didn't keep one for myself, maybe I'll make one next year! :) Tonight I need to punch out and attach all the tags for them.

I would have liked to of made more for other people, but I'm just out of time. I got a late start on them, but, I did manage to get all the cards mailed out!!

Thank you for having a look at my non paper craft gifts!

Decorated Pine

I broke out another older stamp for this card. I love this large pine from Stampabilities called Vintage Pine Tree. I do have some new Christmas stamps, but I haven't used some of my favorites for some time, and thought they needed some attention! :)

I've used new papers from Stampin Up, and embossed the back panel with an older Sizzix snowflake folder. I wrapped some red thread around that panel before gluing down. The two layers are matted, and I added some red stickles to the tree for decoration.

I didn't add a sentiment to the front, but the inside is stamped and decorated as well. Another one off in the mail!!

Thanks again for visiting!

Charcoal Santa

I did get another set of charcoal pencils and sticks, these are much softer and much easier to work with. They don't damage or pill the paper at all. I finished this card a few days ago, and is ready for mailing today.

I've had this Santa image for quite a few years, he's called Vintage Santa from Stampabilities. He's inked with black hybrid ink, then colored with charcoal pencils. I really didn't have to do much coloring, because this image is so detailed. I pretty much just traced all the lines and blended with my stump.

I like the black and white look, and decided not to add any color to him. The papers are from Stampin Up, sentiment from Market Street Stamps, and a few gold pearls that I found at the Dollar Tree.

Hope you all are more ahead than me this holiday!! I still have 8 or so cards to finish and mail, and also finish up my gifts for coworkers!! I'm getting there!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Angel In The Clouds

I adore these sweet images from the newer Angels stamp set from C.C. Designs! So precious!! But....I'm having a hard time coloring them!! I stamped out a whole sheet of these, colored them with my alcohol markers, and don't like any of them. I've also tried coloring them onto water color paper with the same disappointing results. This one is stamped onto white Shimmer paper from Stampin Up, it does hold up well to water coloring, which is how I've done this one.

Still not totally happy with the result, but she's much better than the rest that I've done! I've used Distress inks again, and stamped the ink onto a large acrylic block, then a water color brush with water added as needed. I just can't seem to get the shading that I see others get when coloring this way, and I've watched many videos!! :) But, she's still a cutie no matter what!!

The starry background is stamped from an image in the December KOTM from Unity. The clouds were punched out and lightly sponged in blue. The sentiment is from the same set, and love that it fits perfectly on the cloud! I wrapped some silver thread around the bottom before attaching it all.

I did stamp the inside of this one as well, as they will be going out in the mail soon.

I have almost half of the Christmas gifts I'm making started. Once some of them are decorated, I will share a pic. 

Thank you for visiting!

Mixing The Old With The New

I took advantage of the Cyber week deals and ordered a few things from Sizzix and Stampin Up. The 'wreath' is  a new to me Alterations die that I cut in two different colors for dimension. I like it's fun scribbly look. The branches were die cut from my older Tattered Pinecone  Bigz die from new Stampin Up papers in a green pattern. I die cut two with the paper right side up, then cut two with them facing down so they would be uniform on both sides. Before gluing them down, I looped my new red shimmer thread all around the top. The berries are brads that I have had a long time, and just snipped the prongs off the backs. This is all layered onto a die cut rectangle from Avery Elle that I have had.

The red panel is from the same new paper pack, and I embossed it with a Sizzix snowflake folder that I have had for many years. Everything is attached to a tan card base that I sponged. I wanted to use some older stamp sets that never get any use, so I got out this Lawn Fawn set called Ornate Ornaments and used the cute sentiment. This is one of the first Lawn Fawn sets I purchased about 5 years or so ago.

I did decorate the inside as well, using some more older and out of business stamps from Market Street Stamps(I still miss them!) I am pleased with this card, and was happy to get out my older neglected supplies.

Thanks so much for visiting, have a wonderful weekend! 

Christmas Magnolia

Christmas and magnolia's are from completely different seasons, but it does make a pretty card for this time of year. I have finally got and wanted some stamping time in. I have been working every day since the big 'black Friday', and in retail, it's just a crazy busy time.

So I got out some new Unity stamps that I got in early November. The red panel is a background stamp that I clear embossed then sponged with Real Red ink. The flowers were water colored onto Shimmery White card stock. I added some sparkly silver thread to the red panel, and around the flower one. I will stamp a Christmas sentiment to the inside.

Thought I would share a pic of what my desk looked like before crafting today:

Total chaos! New stamps, dies, pictures of my son that I cut apart on Thanksgiving day to give to my Mom, papers, inks everywhere. And there is a mini Distress pad that it's lid is half off, wonder how many days it was like that!!? So I put everything away, and started over again! No, it's not messy again, but give me a few days.....lol

Thanks so much for visiting! I know I've been away for a bit! :)

Special Snowman

I am a sucker for snowmen! I love them all. Even though I don't like the coldness Winter brings, I do enjoy the freshly fallen snow, and snowmen!!

This adorable stamp is from C.C. Designs called Snowman with Bird by a new artist, Rustic Sugar. I stamped him with My Favorite Things black hybrid ink onto the smooth side of some water color paper. Then water colored him with various Distress inks.

I die cut him out with a square die, then used a Your Next Stamp stitching line die around the edges. Created a rectangle mat that I sponged with ink, and glued the panel together. I stamped the sentiment from the Happy Everything set by C.C. Designs and made it into a banner and attatched it with a mini paper clip.

The background paper is retired from SU! and the velvet ribbon at the bottom. I'm following along with this week's sketch challenge at Splitcoast Stampers.

And I also wanted to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! A lot of people travel to be with family this time of year, luckily I don't have to go far. I am thankful everyday for all that I have, whether it be family, safety, or material things. I try to remind myself that every day, no matter if it's a good or bad day. Thank you to everyone who visits and reads my blog posts, I enjoy sharing my creations.

Christmas Pine

I am joining along with this month's Joy Clair challenge with this pretty color combo.

I used a couple Joy Clair stamp sets on this card, Christmas Wishes and Cozy Snowman Wishes. I stamped and decorated the tree with the colors given. Then I added glitter too the star and base ground of the tree.

I die cut the frame with a Bo Bunny die and used a brayer and ink to color it. I sponged the vanilla card with pink, and used a blue card for the base. A quick and simple card, and perfect for mailing.

Thank you for your visit!

Elegant Christmas

Sharing the card I made for Unity's challenge which is Black and White Christmas. The ornament stamp is from the October kit of the month. I stamped it with My Favorite Things Black Hybrid ink, and did some light shading with my charcoal pencil. The little dots of snow have clear Wink of Stella on them.

I die cut the birch frame in black from C.C. Designs and lightly sponged on white pigment ink all around. I layered this onto some pretty, retired SU! paper, and die cut some matching leaves from a retired SU! Sizzix Sizzlit.

Once everything was adhered, I kept looking at it thinking of what else to add to it. Pearls, enamel dots, twine? After about 5 minutes, I decided to leave it as is. It does make for an elegant looking card, even with the cute moose ornament stamp.

Thanks so much for visiting, have a lovely weekend!

Happy We're Friends


Sharing a CAS card I made for the current Your Next Stamp Challenge. I am following the sketch this time around.



I used one YNS stamp set on this called Happy Everything. It has the large happy word I used here, then lots of other add on sentiments for it to make your own greeting. I stamped the card base with the large word in Versamark, then again in ink onto a piece of patterned vellum, then embossed with clear.

I die cut it out using YNS circle dies and also for the scalloped plaid behind it(paper from MFT). I added another strip of paper following the sketch, and stamped the other sentiment onto a cut banner piece. I added a few heart sequins for accents.

Thank you for visiting!!

3D House Canvas

I finished up another canvas yesterday. This is an 8x10 stretched canvas. I was inspired by this piece that Camille shared on the Unity blog.

I loved the 3D house she made on her Sillouette machine. I don't own one, so I set out and drafted my own house. Here is another pic of it before being put on the canvas:

It's so cute, and am happy with how it turned out. All of the openings are made with dies. The door and top window are partial cuts. Many different options to choose from. Before assembly, I put yellow card stock on the back panel and sponged on yellow ink for the glow of light. I stamped a couple images, then sponged the house with ink.

For the canvas, I started by 'painting' on crumpled tissue paper with Gesso, then sponged the whole piece with different Distress inks. I used many different Unity kits for all the stamping and sponged the edges with black ink. Once I was happy with it, I glued down the house.

I am very much enjoying the canvas art. Something different than making cards all the time. I just ordered some flat canvas panels, so will be excited to play some more when they arrive!

Thanks so much for your visit!

Snowflakes Are......

Sharing a card I made for this week's color challenge at Splitcoast Stampers using Elegant Eggplant, Pacific Point, Soft Sky and a touch of silver.

My layers are all die cut with Spellbinders dies. The sentiment and snowflakes are heat embossed using the Joy Clair stamp set Cozy Snowman Wishes. I tied some twine onto one die cut that has silver in it for more accent and 4 rhinestones in the corners.

I think this color combo is pretty for a Winter card. Thanks so much for your visit!

Stamping in Texture Paste

One of the artists of Unity's SMAK kits, Marleen, shared a canvas she made by stamping into texture paste. I loved the look, and tried to recreate it onto this 8x11 piece of watercolor paper.

The flower showed up really well, while the tag not so much. But it still gave some fun texture to play with. After smearing on some texture paste, I pushed the stamps down into it. After it was dry, I painted over it with some Gesso.

Then the fun started by using many different mediums to get a metallic look. Paint, mixatives, stencil creme, gesso, and ink. I just kept layering on everything until I was happy. I tried something else that came to me while creating. On each corner I painted on a thick coat of Gesso then put a brick wall embossing folder on top and gently pressed down. It gave a light enough texture, and I was happy with that! It showed up better after I sponged on ink.

I used other stamps from this May kit around the edges and the sentiment. Some are clear embossed. It was fun to see how everything would show up since the background is a little dark. I thought about adding some kind of embellishments, but decided to leave it as is. Another page for my cookbook journal!!

Thanks so much for visiting today!

Silver Bells

Unity Stamp Co has a Facebook challenge of Christmas this time around. I have used this bell stamp from the October KOTM. I inked it with Versamark and embossed it with silver. I colored the bells with gray Spectrum markers, and pink for the ribbon/bow.

The snowflakes are also in this kit, and the branches are from a Donna Downey kit called Imagine it. It's actually a tree stamp. The sentiment is from an itty bitty called Foxy Christmas.

I went with a pastel theme, and used light blue and pink card stock layers, and a few sequins scattered about.

Thanks so much for having a look today! We're off to ride the four wheelers today!

  

Thankful Bunny

I love this sweet bunny, he's so cute! This image is from Your Next Stamp, and is called Happy Heart. I colored him with my Spectrum markers, and die cut him out using my new YNS stitched circle dies.

My layout and colors are from the Your Next Stamp Challenge, which I am entering:



I managed to use the sketch and the colors thanks to the YNS paper pack called Woodlands, worked perfectly! The YNS grass die was also die cut from the same pack. The sentiment comes with this stamp set, and hand cut it into a banner. I did add a few sequins from my stash.

Thanks so much for visiting!!

Halloween Costume



Wanted to share my Halloween costume for this year. My first idea was to be a Marionette Doll. So I got on Pinterest to look for hair and makeup ideas, and found all sorts of  broken/goth/undead versions, and loved the idea. I went to the local Goodwill store and found the shirts and skirt, already had cute shoes, large hair bows from Wal-Mart, and the cute stripe socks and makeup from Drug Mart, and I was good to go!!

We are allowed to dress up for work, but still have to wear our name tags and walkies. But everyone seemed to like my costume, employees and customers :) It's fun to let go every now and then, and go out of the norm, that's right up my alley!! Here is a close up pic that I took right after putting on my makeup at home:

The bags under my eyes go perfect with this look...LOL  I was asked a few times what I was suppose to be, so I would explain the process. One customer said I looked like a character from the movie Nightmare Before Christmas, that works too!! 

Hope you all had a fun, ghoulish Halloween, I did! :)

Little Girl in Charcoal

Here is the other image I colored with my new pencils. This image is from Unity, by Phyllis Harris called Be Present. An image like this is perfect for using the charcoal I think. Most of the lines for the shading are already there for you.

This time I stamped onto a Mead Sketch Pad. I didn't have any issues with the paper at all, it held up well. I kept this card CAS, but used color card stock for some pop. I stamped the card base with the same set that I used the sentiment on in yesterday's card, Steps of Courage. It's such a pretty flower image.

The sentiment comes with the little Girl, and is only part of the whole stamp. There are 3 sentiments on one stamp, but I only inked the bottom one. Just a few candy dots is all I used for embellishments, and the layers are all flat. I didn't want to take away from the main image.

Thank you for your visit, have a crafty day! :)

Coloring with Charcoal

Here is my first image colored with my charcoal pencils. It's from the Unity set called Blow Your Mind.

I inked the image with white pigment ink, then embossed it with clear ep. The paper I used is called Crumb Cake from Stampin Up, I like the look of the charcoal on kraft, but the paper did start to pill on the larger sections of the flower petals. Maybe I went over it too many times, the pencils I got are hard charcoal. Which is great for defining lines, but I think I need to get some softer ones for more of the shading parts.

I used a paper blending stump, and a white eraser for those parts that I thought were too dark. Once I was done coloring, the flower edges didn't quite stand out, so I went around the whole image with the pencil, and that made it stand out better.

The edges of this panel were sponged with Tuxedo Black, and I layered Very Vanilla and Basic Black card stock then used the Crumb Cake for he base. This is a 5x7 card size as the floral image is quite large, and I wanted layers behind it.

I added some black lace and matching candy dots, along with the punched sentiment which is from the Unity kit Steps of Courage.

I'm pleased with how this turned out, since I haven't used charcoal since High School!! It's a change from my regular coloring, and I like that! Thanks so much for your visit!