MERRY CHRISTMAS

A holiday wish created with Penny Black's Creative Die "Dancing Leaves".

I am looking forward to more artful happiness in my studio and will return in the new year.

Enjoy the love, joy and peace of the season.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps: City Lights 40-270 (sentiment)

Penny Black Creative Dies: Dancing Leaves 51-016

Penny Black Mix & Match Cardstock: Fuchsia Fantasies 13-002
3M Scotch Dimensional Foam Tape
American Crafts: Ribbon
Copic Markers
Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko: Onyx Black VersaFine

Happy Holidays

Go ahead, tuck some snowy wishes in an envelope.  They're guaranteed not to melt!

Envelope seals always catch my eye.  I love how the little decal sits so proudly on the pointy flap as it beckons you to "Open Me, Open Me".  That happy thought was the inspiration for this little card.

Two pieces of cardstock were fashioned to resemble an envelope and were mounted to a card prepared with embossed dots.  All shading was done in Bahama Blue Memento to coordinate with the card base.

A snowflake (Penny Black) die cut from white cardstock, colored with Memento Luxe Rhubarb Stalk and embellished with a small pearl represents the envelope seal.

Have a wonderful day,
Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps: City Lights 40-270 (sentiment)

Penny Black Creative Dies:  Snowflake Trio 51-015

Penny Black Mix & Match Cardstock: Blue Lagoon 09-003

3M Scotch Dimensional Foam Tape

Cuttlebug: Swiss Dots Embossing Folder

Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko: Onyx Black VersaFine, Bahama Blue Memento, Luxe Memento Rhubarb Stalk, Jumbo Sponge Dauber

Ink, Fold, Embellish

This project is a classic that never loses it charm.

From vintage antique to colorfully bold, these accordion buttons are wonderful to make for ornaments, present toppers and card embellishments.

This one was made in 3 steps from recycled book text and an altered button!


STEP 1 - INK
For a double tier, cut 1 piece of text paper approximately 3 x 8 and a second 2 x 7.5. Ink the long edges with Memento Luxe Peanut Brittle and Memento Luxe Espresso Truffle.

STEP 2 - FOLD 
Fold the pieces, accordion style, using 1/4-inch folds.  Tie the folded pieces (separately) in the middle with fishing line.  Bring the ends on each side together and glue.  Add highlighting ink on the folds if desired (Love Letter Memento).  After gluing, spray with Frost Psst Sheer Shimmer Spritz.

Optional:  In this design, the individual pieces were also sprayed with Glossy Clear Acrylic Coating and dusted with crystal micro fine glitter.

STEP 3 - EMBELLISH
Add gold, copper and red metallic rub-ons to an old black button.  To seal the button, spray with Matte Clear Acrylic Coating.  Layer and affix all elements with a hot glue gun.  

Enjoy,
Elizabeth

Supplies:
Craft-T Products: Metallic Rub-Ons
Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko: Memento Luxe Peanut Brittle, Memento Luxe Espresso Truffle, Love Letter Memento, Jumbo Sponge Dauber, Frost Psst Sheer Shimmer Spray
Offray: Cranberry Grosgrain Ribbon
Other: Old Book Pages, Black Button, Crystal Glitter, Matte Acrylic Spray, Glossy Acrylic Spray, Glue Gun

Peace on Earth

A joyful moment in the manger.....

I just love the little angel peering over and keeping watch over baby Jesus.  

A very short post as the card says it all.

Peaceful wishes,

Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps: In the Manger 40-266 (illustrated by Mo Manning), Peace On Earth 40-256

Penny Black Mix & Match Cardstock: Blue Lagoon 09-002

3M Scotch Dimensional Foam Tape

Colorfin: Gold Metallic PanPastel, Turquoise, Phthalo Blue Tint (background shading)

Copic Markers

Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko: Onyx Black VersaFine, Clear Embossing Powder 

  

O' Little Town

O' Little Town of Bethlehem....

For this design I wanted to keep the focus on Mary, Joseph and Jesus (Penny Black's "From Bethlehem" illustrated by Mo Manning) and kept the surrounding elements very simple.  The background shading done in Danube Blue Memento was highlighted toward the top of the card with Gold PanPastel.  The sentiment is from Silent Night.  

You will notice if you link to the stamp image that I re-positioned the placement of the star.  In this instance, it helped add to the perspective of the distance between the travelers and the small town and maintained the balance among the elements.

Have a wonder-filled day,

Elizabeth

Supplies:
Penny Black:  From Bethlehem 40-268, Silent Night 30-135
3M Scotch Dimensional Foam Tape
Colorfin: Gold PanPastel
Copic Markers
Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko: Onyx Black VersaFine, Danube Blue Memento, Jumbo Sponge Dauber, Clear Embossing Powder

Angel Mouse

A little card packed with a lot of joy...

This tiny tent card measures 2.25 by 3.5.  A circular window was die cut from the elevated panel with a small piece of fuchsia cardstock placed behind to give an illumination of color.  

The angel mouse was stamped twice on a separate piece of white cardstock in Onyx Black VersaFine and heat embossed with clear powder.  After softly coloring with Copic markers, selected pieces were fussy cut and layered for a dimensional embellishment.

Joyfully,
Elizabeth

Supplies:
Penny Black Stamps: Christmas Joy 30-188, Joy to the World 30-143 (sentiment)
Penny Black Mix & Match Cardstock: Fuchsia Fantasies 13-002, Coral Reef 15-003
3M Scotch Dimensional Foam Tape
Copic Markers
Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko: Onyx Black VersaFine, Clear Embossing Powder
Other: White Seed Beads

Be Jolly

More sprightly fun with the elves in the workshop...

Today Little Elf Kit (illustrated by Mo Manning/Penny Black) is visiting.  An elevated frame was created with Jolly Chant stamped in Niagara Mist.  Underneath, on the card base, is a small piece of purple cardstock to fill the window.  Elf Kit was stamped on a separate piece of white cardstock in Onyx Black VersaFine, colored with Copics, and then fussy cut.  A portion of a longer sentiment (Christmas Wishes) was used to accent the star.

Have a holly-jolly day,
Elizabeth

Supplies:
Penny Black Stamps: Little Elf Kit 40-263, Jolly Chant 40-250, Christmas Wishes 30-196
Penny Black Mix & Match Cardstock: Fuchsia Fantasies 13-002
3M Dimensional Foam Tape
Copic Markers
Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko: Onyx Black VersaFine, Niagara Mist VersaMagic, Clear Embossing Powder
Sakura: White Gel Pen

HO HO HO!

With the holidays approaching, the elves are busy creating happy smiles.

I use my Spellbinders Flower Pot die cut upside down more than right side up.  It is a great shape for images that format into a triangular configuration.

Little Elf Ava (illustrated by Mo Manning) was stamped on a separate piece of white cardstock in Onyx Black VersaFine and heat embossed with clear powder.  After coloring with Copics and trimming, she was layered onto the shaped card.  A second layer of the arms holding the star were doubled up on top for additional dimension.  The background is Warm Wishes stamped in Bamboo Leaves Memento. A soft sponging of white gesso softened the edges.

Have a happy day, 

Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps: Little Elf Ava 40-265, Warm Wishes 40-074, Whooo's Wishing 30-190 (sentiment)
Penny Black Mix & Match Cardstock:  Spring Meadow 06-001
3M Scotch Dimensional Foam Tape
Copics
Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko: Onyx Black VersaFine, Bamboo Leaves Memento, Clear Embossing Powder
Sakura: White Gel Pen
Spellbinders: Flower Pots (S5-060)
Other: Gesso

Joy * Peace * Love

Holiday joy with Penny Black's "Gathering" illustrated by Mo Manning.

Chalks and pastels are fun alternatives for backgrounds.  This soft, snowy sky was created by stamping Crystal Pattern in VersaMark Watermark ink and lightly pouncing on Phthalo Blue Tint PanPastel with a Sofft Art Sponge.  Firmer dabbing pressure around the outside edge will yield darker tones and enhance the highlighting effect.

More ideas and techniques for using PanPastels can also be found on their Facebook Page.

Have a great day,
Elizabeth

Supplies:
Penny Black Stamps: Gathering 40-264, Crystal Pattern 40-162, A Better World 4349E
Penny Black Mix & Match Cardstock: Fall Festival 16-003
3M Scotch Dimensional Foam Tape
Copics
Colorfin:  Phthalo Blue Tint PanPastel, Sofft Art Sponge
Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko: Onyx Black VersaFine, VersaMark Watermark Ink, Clear Embossing Powder

Igloo Snuggle

Snowflakes are starting to dance about ...time to snuggle.

This is a fun image to color and layer. (Penny Black: Igloo illustrated by Mo Manning)  The little flag was created by painting a toothpick black.

Have a warm and cozy day,
Elizabeth

Supplies:
Penny Black Stamps: Igloo 40-267 (illustrated by Mo Manning), Love At Christmas 30-187 (sentiment), Christmas Harmony 30-194 (snowflakes)
Penny Black Mix & Match Cardstock: Fall Festival 16-003
3M Dimensional Foam Tape
Copic Markers
Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko: Onyx Black VersaFine, Love Letter Memento, VersaMark Watermark, Clear Embossing Powder, White Embossing Powder, Jumbo Sponge Dauber.

Holiday Hints with Penny Black: Day 5

It was an honor to design on the Penny Black Blog all this week!  

Before I go, one last project for the special "Holiday Hints" feature.  

A sneak peek for Day 5....

Click HERE for the full reveal.

Previous full reveal "Holiday Hints" posts can be viewed by clicking on the corresponding day below:

DAY 1

DAY 2

DAY 3

DAY 4

Thank you for all your visits!

Elizabeth

Holiday Hints with Penny Black: Day 4

So excited to be designing all this week on the Penny Black Blog with a special "Holiday Hints" feature.

Here's a sneak peek at Day 4....

Click HERE for the full reveal.

"All throughout the year",

Elizabeth

Holiday Hints with Penny Black: Day 3

So excited to be designing all this week on the Penny Black Blog with a special "Holiday Hints" feature.

Here's a sneak peek for Day 3....

Click HERE for the full reveal.

"Sweet" wishes,

Elizabeth

Holiday Hints with Penny Black: Day 2

So excited to be designing all this week on the Penny Black Blog with a special "Holiday Hints" feature.

Here's a sneak peek for Day 2 .....

Click HERE for the full reveal.

Wishing you a "luminescent" day...

Elizabeth

Holiday Hints with Penny Black: Day 1

So excited to be designing all this week on the Penny Black Blog with a special "Holiday Hints" feature.

Here's a sneak peek for today's project....

Click HERE for the full reveal.

Wishing you a day of "sheer" happiness,

Elizabeth

Studio Sessions: PITT Pastel Pencils, 3 of 4

Holiday cheer for today's Studio Session.

Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft PITT Pastel Pencils
Additional Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft Inspiration on their BLOG and FACEBOOK PAGE

Switching gears with my PITT Pastel Pencils and using them over inked images. 

The opaque chalk pastel allows for superb coverage and you can easily achieve multiple colors in a stamped image that has solid graphic areas.

It is good to start with an impression created with a non-smudging ink (i.e. dye or archival).  This wreath (Penny Black) was inked with a Stamper's Big Brush pen in light cobalt turquoise, which is a waterproof, India ink.

The leaves were accented PITT Pastel Pencils in green and yellow while the berries were darkened with red.  A shiny sheen was added to the berries with Glaze from Faber-Castell's Textural Accents Sampler.

Don't miss Jill's colorful post.

Have a great day.
Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps: Merry & Happy 40-261

Penny Black Mix & Match Cardstock: Fuchsia Fantasies 13-002

Faber-Castell Design Memory Craft:

  Mix & Match PITT Pastel Pastel Pencils (Collections: blue/green, red/yellow, neutrals)

  Stamper’s Big Brush Pens (Deep Scarlet Red 219, Magenta 133, Light Cobalt Turquoise 154)
  Textural Accents Sampler

Other: Black Pigment Ink Pad (sentiment), Clear Embossing Powder (sentiment), Blending Stump

Flip It: Two for One

Flipping a holiday stamp to get two cards from one design.

 The hanging ornaments (Penny Black - City Lights)

were inverted to create birthday balloons.

After randomly applying Memento inks to 

the image it was stamped on white cardstock.

Shimmer Creative Medium was 

applied to the trimmed element.  

The elements were then matted with colored cardstock

 and attached to the prepared cards.

Enjoy "flipping out" with your stamps!

Elizabeth

Supplies:
Penny Black Stamps:  City Lights 40-270, Friendship 30-160
Penny Black Les Petites 90-001
Penny Black Mix & Match Cardstock: Fuchsia Fantasies 13-002, Storm 01-003
3M Scotch Dimensional Foam Tape
Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko: Onyx Black VersaFine, Bahama Blue Memento, Pear Tart Memento, Tangelo Memento, Lilac Posies Memento, Creative Medium (Shimmer)

Merry & Bright

Holiday wishes with Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko's Delicata Golden Glitz and Memento inks and markers.

Instructions

Stamp the sentiment (Christmas Magic) on a scalloped rectangle die cut in Onyx Black VersaFine and heat emboss with clear powder.  Die cut another scalloped rectangle and score 1/2” from the top.  Apply adhesive to the scored tab and adhere to the back of the stamped piece to create the card base.  Set aside.

Use a small portion of a scalloped rectangle die cut from white cardstock to create a snowy hill.  Apply Bahama Blue ink to the piece using a Jumbo Sponge Dauber.  Aligning the scallops, glue this piece under the sentiment on the prepared card.

Die cut a frame from white cardstock.  Coat the frame by applying Delicata Golden Glitz directly from the ink pad.  Once dry, attach to the front of the card with dimensional foam. 

Ink the tree (A Cool Christmas) with Olympia Green and Vintage Sepia VersaFine inks, stamp on watercolor paper and heat emboss with clear powder.

Color the image with Memento markers and blend with a paintbrush.  Trim the design and attach to the front of the prepared card with dimensional foam.

For more Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko inspiration visit their Website and Facebook page.

Thank you for visiting...
Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps: Christmas Magic 4288F, A Cool Christmas 30-128

Penny Black Mix & Match Cardstock: Storm 01-001

3M Scotch Dimensional Foam Tape

Canson: Watercolor Paper

Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko: Onyx Black VersaFine, Bahama Blue Memento, Delicata Golden Glitz, 

Memento Markers (PM-100, PM-200, PM-302, PM-701, PM-703, PM-706, PM-800, PM-802)

Jumbo Dauber, Clear Embossing Powder

Spellbinders:  Classic Scalloped Rectangles Sm (S4-131), Classic Rectangles SM (S4-130) 

Snowflake Wishes

Die cutting, embossing and stamping....a trio of happiness!!

Penny Black is sharing their second week of Christmas die-cutting inspiration and I thought it would be fun to create a card that could be used for a variety of occasions throughout the winter.  

I started with one of my favorite summer color combinations and adapted it into this wintry wish.  

The largest die cut snowflake from Snowflake Trio was colored with pink acrylic paint, dusted with micro fine crystal glitter and accented with an orange brad.  

The embossed pattern was created with another metal die called Dots.  Tip/Hint:  When metal dies are used with embossing mats, they make great textural backgrounds. 

After stamping Christmas Notes, a segment was trimmed from the design and turned on it's side for a decorative band.  Tip/Hint: Portions of stamped designs offer numerous possibilities for collage elements.   

Happy stamping and die cutting!
Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps: ChristmasNotes 4345K, Whooo’sWishing 30-190 (sentiment)

Penny Black Creative Dies: Snowflake Trio 51-015, Dots 51-009

Penny Black Mix & Match Cardstock: Storm 01-001, 01-002
3M Scotch Dimensional Foam Tape
Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko: Onyx Black VersaFine, Teal Zeal Memento, Jumbo Sponge Dauber, Clear Embossing Powder
Other: Pink Acrylic Paint, Orange Brad, Crystal Micro Fine Glitter

Fancy Metallic Flourish

I am particularly fond of fussy cut images so you can imagine how much I enjoy intricate die cuts.

Fancy Flourish from Penny Black's line of Creative Dies is one of my favorites.  It takes center stage layered with a tone-on-tone design stamped with Decadence .

To read how this die cut was created with a metallic finish using PanPastels...

Click "here"

Have a wonderful day,
Elizabeth

Supplies:

Penny Black Stamps: Decadence 40-254, Yuletide Greetings 30-192

Penny Black Creative Dies: Fancy Flourish 51-020

Penny Black Mix & Match Cardstock: Forest Glen 07-001
Colorfin: PanPastels: Rich Gold, Bronze, Permanent Green, Ar
Imagine Crafts/Tsukineko: Onyx Black VersaFine, Crimson Red VersaFine, Jumbo Sponge Dauber, Clear Embossing Powder