July Heartfelt Creation Alumni Blog Hop

Happy July! If you are here from Vicki's blog you are on the right track. Make sure you leave comments along the way by Friday, July 29th at midnight EST to be entered for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate from Emma Lou and Heartfelt Creations. The final stop is Archana's blog, and I wish you all the best for your chance to win the HFC gift certificate!

I am adding to my Christmas card stash. I appreciate the elegant font of this sentiment from Dove of Peace (discontinued). Good alternatives to this sentiment would be either Ornate Sleigh or Gift Wrapped Presents. The striped panel is from Daphne Paper Collection (discontinued) but would look beautiful with either Sunrise Lily or Sparkling Poinsettia.

I adhered the ivory panels using dimensional foam, and the effect of the shadow is quite marvellous. I used a 1/2" hole punch for the row of ornaments, and backed it with transparent tape to adhere the glitter. I adhered dark pink cardstock behind the ornaments to bring out the pink in the pattern paper. The ornament hangers were hand drawn. I think I would draw the bows a little smaller next time!

Please do leave comments on all the alumni blogs for a chance to win a $25 Heartfelt Creations gift certificate. Carry on to Mary's blog for your final stop on the hop, and we hope to see you again next month!

stamps: dove of peace (heartfelt creations)
paper: daphne (heartfelt creations); ruby (bazzill); cuddle cream (spellbinders)
ink: onyx black versafine (tsukineko)
accessories: 1/2" circle punch (uchida); angel dust glitter (art institute glitter)

Christmas Season 'Fact'

I know this is true for some people, not all. I've never gained weight over the winter holidays - just at other times of the year. The battle of the bulge is a universal issue that brings many of us together, I think, and the sentiment gave me a giggle so I wanted to share!

I have used one of my favourite new releases from Becca Feeken's line with Spellbinders. Flourish Frame has a lovely presence because it is large - perfect for a 5"X7" card - and the flourish insert is really THERE. It's feminine without being delicate or fragile, and I just love that about this die. The Flourish Frame is perfect for cutting a contrasting background to the insert so it really stands out.

I created the sentiment frame by using 5x7 Matting Basics A dies #1 & #3 (as always, #1 is the smallest die in the set) and cutting them simultaneously. Now, I just have to tell you that when I create frames like this, I normally use low tack tape to hold all the dies in place. Spellbinders has introduced a new Platinum Magnetic Platform for their Platinum machine, and it works like a charm. It holds everything just right and makes the process easier than ever for multiple die cuts, single die cuts and for embossing. Now, I only use low tack tape if I'm being super fussy about where the dies are down to the smallest measurements.

I really love this poinsettia accent die from the 5x7 Holly Frame set. It has truly become a go to die for my Christmas cards this year. I cut the poinsettia accent from paper included in this really old (aka discontinued) Basic Grey Figgy Pudding paper collection because I wanted to get a mottled effect of coordinating blue, green and brown as the striped background paper. I cut the poinsettia layers from white cardstock and sponged them using a dry sponge in dark red, medium red and medium brown inks. These little flowers are my personal favourite part of the card. I'm just so pleased with how they turned out.

I hope you have a blessed week as we continue on in this glorious advent season.

stamps; wondering eyes (riley & co)

paper; figgy pudding (basic grey), java, amsterdam, white (bazzill)

ink; onyx black versafine (tsukineko), aged mahogany, festive berries, brushed corduroy distress inks (ranger)

accessories; 5x7 matting basics a, 5x7 holly frame, flourish frame, platinum magnetic platform (spellbinders), rhinestones (unknown)

Inspired CAS

My card for this weekend's Inspiration Challenge is very different for me.

I chose this snowman painted on a wood shutter for my inspiration. I decided to change the colours a bit to get another traditional coloured Christmas card into the stash. I also chose to go clean and simple (CAS) for this card so is was snail-mail friendly.

Colouring on kraft paper is one of my favourite mediums. I used copic markers for the hat and scarf, and I wanted a grainier texture for the snowman to mimic the texture of the wood shutter so I used prismacolor pencils for the white portions. I am quite delighted with the outcome.

Have a lovely day, friends!

stamps: christmas characters (inkadinkadoo)
ink: onyx black versafine (tsukineko)
paper: have a merry christmas (carta bella); kraft, white, kraft dotted swiss, raven (bazzill)
accessories: handwritten holidays dies (sizzix); copic markers; prismacolor markers

Inspired Christmas Pixie

The Inspiration Challenge on Splitcoaststampers each week is one of my favourite challenges. This week, I found this pin on a the IC pintrest board and have used it to inspire my whimsical Christmas card.

I adore this little Christmas Pixie from Tiddly Inks, and I think it might be discontinued. I looked on the website and didn't find it.

The little poinsettia accent is from 5x7 Holly Frame, and I love the dimension it adds to the card. After I cat and embossed the accent, I coloured parts of it using the same copic markers used for the Christmas Pixie.

After the wings were coloured, I went back over them using clear wink of stella pen to add all that sparkle. It's quite wonderful! I used clear wink of stella on the poinsettia as well, and it adds such a special touch. The sentiment banner was cut by hand and then sponged. I think the Hero Arts stamp set I used has also been discontinued.

This colour palette is a favourite of mine. The softness of it is very appealing and is such a lovely change for a Christmas card. Yes, another non-traditional Christmas card.

stamps: christmas pixie (tiddly inks); joy to all (hero arts)
ink: only black versafine (tsukineko); bundled sage, iced spruce distress ink (ranger)
paper: cozy christmas (my mind's eye); horizon, white, smoky (bazzill)
accessories: 5x7 holly frame, lg classic squares (spellbinders); gold pen (marvy/uchida), clear wink of stella (zig); copic markers

Traditional Christmas Colours!

If you read my previous post, you will have learned that I rarely create traditional coloured Christmas cards.

I had a pile of scraps from a card class I taught last year and took a bunch and cut squares from them. I sketched a rough grid on a piece of paper and glued them alternating the direction of the stripe creating a basket weave pattern.

The pieced background is very busy so I cut a simple pierced white frame using Pierced Squares. I wanted a larger center to the frame, so I used Large Classic Squares paired with the pierced squares to create this effect.

I used a sentiment from Doodlebug Christmas (which I think has been discontinued), stamped in Black Onyx ink. I really love versafine ink for acrylic stamps because it has fantastic coverage. I cut and embossed the sentiment using Large Classic Squares die.

I used scor pal tape to adhere the vintage glass glitter - 1/4" around the edge of the card base and outside edge of the white frame, and 1/8" for the inside edge of the white frame. The green silk ribbon is just the icing on the cake!

stamps; christmas (doodlebug)
ink; black onyx versafine (tsukineko)
paper; christmas stripe (unknown), raven, patch, coconut swirl (bazzill)
accessories; pierced squares, lg classic squares (spellbinders), green silk ribbon (may arts), vintage glass glitter (art institute glitter), 1/4" & 1/8" adhesive tape (scor pal)

Colour Challenge Christmas

My youngest daughter was looking through my cards the other day and mentioned that she doesn't like traditional dark red and green Christmas cards. I thought that was interesting, but typical of her as a young teen. More interesting to me was her next comment that she was glad I don't make many traditional Christmas cards. I thought, that just couldn't be until she asked to look at my Splitcoast Gallery and, much to my wandering eyes did appear, Christmas cards done mostly in non-traditional colours combined with traditional image and sentiments.

I saw the colour challenge on Splitcoast this week and immediately thought, 'Christmas card'. *Note to self: my daughter's observation is right and here's another non-traditional coloured Christmas card and I may need to really work on my traditional colour scheme!!

I just got the 'Hello Winter' Collection and 6x6 pad from Echo Park. Love them both! I used the collection plaid for the background and the 6x6 snowflake print for the small panel. I hate to choose between 12x12 and 6x6 print papers, so if I really love the line, I will get both because large scale prints work as well (sometimes better) for cards as the small scale prints. 

I salvaged some sequins from a bottle that one of my foster dogs chewed almost beyond recognition. The bottle was higher up and on a shelf, and he climbed up and got it and my my bottle of black sequins too. I still can't find my white sequins, and for all I know, he's in his new foster home pooping sequins! He was moved, not because of the sequins, but because I am a medical foster home and he had recovered from his major surgery and was ready to be treated like a normal dog and go to his forever home. What a lovely and challenging adventure my foster dogs are!! But that's another story for another day!

I used this Pure Innocence digital image from Etsy. I took a quick peek and didn't find this specific image listed (PI 011), but the shop owner (the original artist) might be able to list it if it is requested...  This sentiment is a lovely image from Lily of the Valley, Christmas Circular Sentiments. I just love round sentiments, and this whole set is a favourite! After I stamped it, I obviously didn't wait long enough for it to dry before colouring it with copic markers. *ugh*

stamps; PI 011 (pure innocence), christmas circular sentiments (lily of the valley)
ink; onyx black versafine (tsukineko)
paper; hello winter (echo park), horizon, front porch, coconut swirl (bazzill)
accessories; lg classic circles, sm classic rectangles (spellbinders), swimming pool sequins (doodlebug), copic markers

Ho Ho Ho

Christmas card production continues. I am again working from images I printed with the intention of colouring and creating with them about 3 years ago. You know, sometimes life derails our best intentions! The challenge on SCS today involves a rut-busting matrix that is uber fantastic and helped me along with this image.

I do love this image (Ho Ho Ho Snowmen) from Sassy Cheryl's. It's a super cute little trio.

I have pulled my colours from this print paper, Figgy Pudding from Basic Grey (discontinued, but still a fave!). The non-traditional mix of sage green, red and ice blue really grab my happy place.

The image is printed to fit 2 3/4" x 6" and I coloured it with pencils and copic markers since so many of the areas in the image are very fine. There are a few places that pesky red bled just a titch into areas I wanted to leave white.

Thanks for popping by sweet friends!

stamps; ho ho ho snowmen digital image (sassy cheryl's)
paper; figgy pudding (basic grey), horizon, coconut swirl, red (bazzill)
accessories; lg long rectangles (disc), white satin ribbon, red grosgrain ribbon (SU!), clear glitter gel pen (sakura), copic markers

Magical Snowman

I live so far north that I can report it snowed this past weekend. The snow melted within 24 hours, but the reality is IT SNOWED! The only good thing about snow in early October is it inspired me to ramp up on my Christmas card making.

I have a stack of digital images that I printed out quite awhile ago, and now I can't find them on my computer, which crashed more than a year ago and I lost a whole bunch of images, including this one :(. I think this darling snowman was a Whimsy Doodle image, but I can't confirm it. I did a Google search and still couldn't find it. If you know what this image is and who the publisher/artist is, please let me know in the comment section so I can give credit where credit is due. I cut and embossed the image using Classic Rectangles Lg.  **edit added This is a Sassy Cheryl's image called Fat Round Snowman**

I literally had to dust off my Copic markers to colour this image. And this is take 3 on it - I pitched the first 2 images I coloured because they were awful and there was no road to recovery for them. And I'm not trying to be modest here. Really. Bad. And I forgot to colour the buttons - just noticed that... *sigh

Fortunately, third time is a charm! Thanks heavens, because I really didn't want to have to sell my copics because they are one of my top 5 colouring mediums. I forgot to track all the copics I used to colour this image because I am simply that out of practice! The wings and sentiment are super sparkly thanks to clear Wink of Stella. Wink of Stella is fabulous stuff!! I love the brush on it because it makes for quick complete coverage and it is remarkably sparkly. *swoon*

This is a massive sentiment and I love it! I cut a rectangle and stamped the sentiment on it using Onyx Black Versafine ink. Versafine ink is my favourite ink for acrylic stamps because it has fantastic coverage. I don't like Versafine for colouring with copics because it bleeds. Next, I centered the rectangle on Baby Buntings #6 to cut the notched end to the Magical mini banner. These gorgeous snowflakes are from Create a Flake 6, a new release from Spellbinders. I'm a sucker for a pretty snowflake!

stamps; digital image fat round snowman (Sassy Cheryl's), christmas sentiments (echo park)
paper; seasons:winter (authentique), thunder, white (bazzill)
ink; onyx black (versafine)
accesories; baby bunting, create a flake 6, classic rectangles lg (spellbinders), clear wink of stella (zig), copic markers (copic), assorted rhinestones (unknown)

ODBD October New Release

Happy October, friends! This month, Our Daily Bread Designs has released some stunning Christmas inspired stamps sets and coordinating dies.

For my first project, I have repurposed a bag from a store at our local mall. The colour of the bag is a perfect match for Christmas Collection 2014, and it was easy to go from there.

I wanted to emphasize the gold flourishes in the paper, so I chose gold as an accent colour for the rest of the bag. I used a gold paint pen to edge the tag - it's so easy to do and adds a huge impact.

This large tag is another easy touch for the gift bag. I cut out the pennant shaped base and used a small circle die to cut the hole where I wanted the ribbon to come through. This is a great technique for any larger shape to turn it into a tag. To finish it off, I used super fine detail gold embossing powder to stamp this ornament from Delightful Decorations and cut it out using the coordinating Delightful Decorations die. Easy peasy!

stamps; delightful decorations (odbd)
paper; christmas collection 2014 (odbd)
ink; versamark (tsukineko)
accessories; delightful decorations die set (odbd), gold paint pen (marvy uchida), gold cord (really reasonable ribbon), white ribbon (offray), baby buntings, classic circles sm (spellbinders)

My next project is quick and easy, clean and simple. I know the more intricate and highly detailed cards are simply divine and so satisfying to create, but sometimes I need to put a card together quickly as we are nearly on the way out the door and my stash is neglected.

I created this card knowing that sometimes, a little quick inspiration is key. The drama and appeal for this card comes from the contrast between the flourished white overlay on a sparkly background.

I cut out green cardstock using the largest die from Delightful Decorations and inked it completely using versamark. Then, I poured a thick layer of irridescent embossing powder and heat set it.

I just couldn't get a picture that does this ornament justice. The contrast between the stunning gold paper from Christmas Collection 2015, green and white is really quite spectacular.

paper; christmas collection 2015 (odbd), green, white cardstock (unknown)
ink; versamark (tsukineko)
accessories; delightful decorations dies (odbd), hologram highlights (disc), white ribbon (SU!)

Prize Information: - 

Three randomly selected winners will each receive a $25 gift certificate to the ODBD Store, to be used toward the purchase of ODBD Stamps found in the "ODBD stamps column" of the website just for commenting on the Design Team cards!  You have until October 2, 2015 at 9:00 p.m. EDT to leave your comments on the Designers Blogs for a chance to win!  The Winners will be posted on the ODBD Blog on October 3rd, so be sure to check back there to see if you won!

Sandee * Julie * Cathy * Amy * Dawn * Lori * RobinT. * Lisa * Angie * Chris * Grace * Sabrina 

* Silke * America * Loretta * Robin C.

Pretty Pink Poinsettias

I am excited to use the new Christmas dies just released by Spellbinders for my project today.

I like to use non-traditional colours for Christmas cards occasionally. I have a tutorial on the Spellbinders blog to create this pretty pink Christmas card.

Blessings, friends!

Winter Fairy

I have every intent of sending out more cards this coming year than I did over the last, so I'm starting now. It's been an interesting year, as I reflect on it. I had been away from card making for 2 years at this time last year, and during Winter break, I decided to see if I could produce anything respectable since I was quite out of practice. By the end of January, I participated in my first Heartfelt Creations Alumni blog hop in a very long time. By April, I returned to the Heartfelt Creations Design Team. In May, I was invited to join the Spellbinders Design Team. What a stunning turn of events, and I am humbled by it. And overjoyed. I am happier now that I am able to do more creative things. I am looking forward to being able to do even more by the middle of next year as my graduate studies end.

For this card, I used a discontinued Crafty Secrets cotton printed panel depicting a winter fairy whispering in the ear of a mistletoe endowed Father Christmas. With a beautiful, preprinted panel, this card was a breeze to put together.

I make my bows using a Bow-It-All v.02, and it was worth every penny. I really love the look of double and triple bows, and this tool makes it easy to achieve beautiful results every time.

The paper I've used is an older, gorgeous collection from Basic Grey called Figgy Pudding. I have so much older paper to use up. I've said it before many times, I'm sure, and as I find more time for me again, I am making a valiant effort to use more of my older favourites. I look forward to this challenge I've put to myself in the coming year. That and finishing my dissertation in grand fashion! And spending time with my wonderful family and moving forward in my spiritual journey...not necessarily in that order, of course!

paper; figgy pudding (basic grey), sterling, fern (bazzill)
accessories; white ribbon (offray), image panel (crafty secrets), buttons (basic grey), hemp twine (unknown)

Heartfelt Creations Alumni blog hop

What an exciting day! I'm back with the Heartfelt Creations Alumni Blog Hop! If you came here from Sarah Miller's blog, you are on the right track. If you are here on a whim, I invite you to start the hop from Giovana Smith's blog, and enjoy!

As you hop along, leave comments for the designers to be entered for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate from Heartfelt Creations. The hop closes on Friday, November 28th at midnight est. Winners will be announced on the designers blogs on Saturday, November 29th, so come back here on that date to see if you are the lucky winner.

This Christmas ornament stamp is one of my favourites, because I love the shape and the netting look on the ornament. It looks very old world, and I like the heritage feel of it. Please note; this stamp is being discontinued and there is a very short time left to purchase it through Heartfelt Creations for a deeply discounted price!

I stamped the ornament on Heartfelt Creations pattern paper, Posy Patch Collection using versamark ink and heat embossed it in gold. Then, I sponged the edges using distress inks. Heartfelt Creations papers are very versatile - this is an elegant summer paper I've used for this Christmas card.

I cut and embossed Spellbinders Layered Poinsettia die templates to create this lovely dimensional embellishment. I dug through my old buttons and found this darling little ball button to act as my flower center. Divine!

As you continue on your way, you will head over to Gini Cagle's blog and I hope you enjoy the hop!

stamps: poinsettia ornament 2 (heartfelt creations)
ink: versamark (tsukineko), antique linen, tea dye distress ink (ranger)
paper; posy patch collection (heartfelt creations), fern, lanut creme (bazzill)
accessories; 2011 heirloom ornaments, layered poinsettias (spellbinders), gold embossing powder (ranger), button (unknown), ivory ribbon (offray)

Spellbinders Happy Holidays

I am so thrilled to be able to create with this amazing product and these amazing die templates. I love Spellbinders dies, and I really love making cards for special people like this card. A tutorial and materials for this card along with more pictures are on the Spellbinders Blog, and I invite you to visit my post there for additional details.

I've created a lot of dimension by first sponging and then shaping the poinsettias and foliage.

My son came into my studio, and thought initially I had used real poinsettias on this card. He's a sweet boy.

I like the traditional heirloom look and feel of this this card. And not to sound gushy, but Spellbinders die templates make it easy to achieve these results.

I have been trying to find the right place to use the new Create-a-Flower Ivy die templates, because they are really wonderful I think, and this card just yelled out loud and clear for them!

I hope you are inspired to create floral clusters for all seasons, and I wish you Season's Greeting for the upcoming holidays.

Cheers!

Wonderful Christmas

Today, I have a 30 minute Christmas Card for you from Heartfelt Creations. All I did was cut paper and stick it all together. Really. It's the pre-printed panels I keep mentioning. Super quick and easy. And the panels come sized to fit whatever project you dream up. Did I mention it was easy?

The sentiment was already there. The corner border was already there, coloured even. Done! I could have added rhinestones or stickles to bling it up a little, but if all you have is 30 minutes, this version fits the bill and looks like it was much harder. Sometimes, I just love it when this much gorgeous comes together so quickly.

As always, there's more inspiration on the Heartfelt Creations blog.

paper; Festive Christmas Collection Paper (heartfelt creations), coconut swirl, blackberry (bazzill)
accessories; black satin ribbon (offray)

Festive Christmas

Believe it or not, this Christmas card took less than 45 minutes to create. Really. The pre-printed panels that are in the Heartfelt Creations paper collections are starting to grow on me, and I'm finding that when I need to put together a card quickly, these panels are my go-to. These gorgeous pre-printed panels are, well, gorgeous and I don't always have time to create gorgeous from scratch.

This sentiment is from the Festive Christmas Background stamp. This stamp, as one big background is absolutely stunning, but I really wanted the versatility of being able to use the sentiments individually without fussing with masking, so I cut the stamp up into the individual sentiments. Love it! I added some dimension on the ribbon banner using copic markers.

As I have said, the pre-printed panels are gorgeous, and all I had to do was choose one and cut it out. The colouring on the panels is fantastic, and I feel like I couldn't do better myself, so use it! The panels are done so well, that they do look like they were hand coloured. So squeal worthy!!

There is much more squeal worthy on the Heartfelt Creations blog, so grab a beverage and go be inspired! This just might be the year I have my Christmas cards done ahead of time for all the people I would really like to give a card to...

stamps; Festive Christmas Background (heartfelt creations)
paper; Festive Christmas Collection Paper, Daphne Collection Paper (heartfelt creations), coconut swirl, kraft, java (bazzill)
ink; rich cocoa memento ink, versamark ink (tsukineko)
accessories; captivating squares (spellbinders), aged gold embossing enamel (stampendous), E70,74,77 copic markers