Seasons Givings Blog Hop

Happy New Year!! I am so excited to be participating in the Seasons Givings Blog Hop! If you are here from Dina's amazing blog, you are in the right place. If you would like to start the hop from the very beginning, I invite you to go to the Lawn Fawn blog, and make your way back here, via the creativity inspiring slow boat. The purpose of this hop is to thank you, our readers for your support to our creative endeavours.

To enter the draw for the prize shown above, please leave a comment on my blog with your contact information using the following format: yourname_at_youremailprovider_dot_com (or however it ends com/ca/net etc). My draw will take place at 7:00am (MST) on Friday, January 8th, and all comments to that point will be entered. The prize will be awarded as shown, with no substitutions. The winner will be responsible for any customs/duty charges incurred during shipping.

I created this card to celebrate all the resolutions that will be made and discarded over the next while. I tend to not make resolutions to ring in the new year, but I know it is a common practice among many. I don't really drink alcohol or coffee much, so while I think the last few stamped sentiments I've used are funny, it's through second hand information, believe me!

I really love the Tim Holtz blueprint stamps very much and this stamp is from his Fresh Brewed set. I applied glossy accents over LATTE in the corner before I sponged ink on so it would remain clean looking.

These print papers are from an old and discontinued Basic Grey collection, Origins.

I cut apart the original sentiment stamp (Depresso by Riley & Co.) so I could create a punny tag line on the front of my card. While I have many pun sentiment stamps in my collection, I chose to cut this one apart because I doubt I would use it as it was manufactured. I created this tag using Spellbinders Petite Pennants.

Lg Classic Rectangles and Sm Classic Rectangles were used to cut and emboss the coffee cup and sentiment. To colour the to-go coffee cup I used copic markers - C0, 1, 3, 5, W00, 1, 3, 5, E41, 43, YG91, 95, 99, colorless blender.

I sponged most of the papers used for this card with pumice stone, frayed burlap and black soot distress inks.

There have been a lot of changes in my house this year, and I can't even imagine what next year holds in store. I am both holding my breath with my eyes closed tightly and looking forward with eager anticipation. I wish you all the best in the coming year and wish you luck in this draw.

Lawn Fawn

Scrapbook Cards & Today Magazine

Scrapbook Adhesives by 3L

Reverse Confetti

Technique Tuesday

CAS-ual Friday Stamps

Verve Stamps

Donna Salazar

Richard Garay

AdTech

Stamp Simply Ribbon Store

Inchie Arts

Avocado Arts

OHscrap (Bossy Joscie)

Rubermoon Stamps

Latina Crafter

A Jillian Vance Design

JustNick

Your Everyday Stamps

Latisha Yoast

AJ Otto

Kimberly Crawford

Julia Stainton

Laurie Willison

Teri Anderson

Jennifer Gallacher

Vera Yates

Wanda Guess

Nichol Magouirk

Kelly Klapstein

Anabelle O’Malley

Kim Watson

Chari Moss

Laura Bassen

Lydia Fiedler

Lisa Adametz

Alice Wertz

Daniela Dobson

Jenn Shurkus

Lori Craig

Amy Tsuruta

Lisa Henke

Margie Higuchi

Lee Murphy

Lori Tecler

Dina Kowal

(**you are here) Loretta Lock (here are you**)

Darsie Bruno

Marcie Sharp

Veronica Zalis

Barbara Anders

Maria Levine

Dana Joy

Melody Rupple

Keri Sereika

Asia King

Jennifer Ingle

Yvonne Van de Grijp

Beth Pingry

Erica Houghton

Mary-Ann Maldonado

Piali Biswas

Ashley Newell

Nicole Maki

Julee Tilman

Leigh Penner

Christina Griffiths

Lindsay Amrhein

Laura Williams

Debbie Seyer

Christine Emberson

Kerry Urbatch

Linda Lucas

Tosha Leyendekker

Giovana Smith

Bunny Vance

Stacey Schafer

Lee Ann Barrett

Ruby Naz

Julie Dinn

Jill Hawkins

Christiana Reulling

Jodi Collins

Gracie Chavez

Michelle Woerner

Tania Willis

Karisse Schilling

Lori McAree

Ashley Harris

Emily Leiphart

Heidi Blankenship

Coralynn Murray

Tenia Nelson

Pretty Philosophie

Jillian Vance

Misti Oblander

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

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

Heartfelt Creations Classic Sunflower Collection

The Heartfelt Creations Collection being launched this month ranks in my top 5 favourite paper collections from any manufacturer of all time. And I'm not just saying that. I love the muted tones in this collection and the greyed blues make me sigh with happiness. Ask my husband. He knows slate blues and grey are my favourite colours. I don't often go for vibrant colours unless it's for a juvenile card, so this collection is right up my creative alley.

I didn't use a pre-printed panel for this card. I like colouring on the Heartfelt Creations printed paper because it is very forgiving with copic markers. I don't get the perfect blend like on x-press it blending cardstock, but for sometimes grainy imperfection is right for the project.

I really like the corner sunflower stamp that was used here. I stamped it once on the square for the card, then twice more on the extra patten paper and coloured it all. I really like the printed pattern showing through the copic colour because it coordinated the whole image and gives it more character and texture. It was a lot of fussy cutting, but the effect is worth it!

What a terrific font for this sentiment!! Yes, I continue to gush over this collection. You will also see me using some of this paper for Christmas cards as well in upcoming posts. I love it that much!!

Join us on the Heartfelt Creations blog for the rest of the Classic Sunflower Collection release!

stamps; Sunflower Bouquet, Sunflower Stem (heartfelt creations)
ink; Slate, Pitch Black Adirondack ink (ranger)
paper; Classic Sunflower Collection Paper (heartfelt creations), coconut swirl, flintstone (bazzill)
accessories; Cut-Mat-Create 1B, Cut-Mat-Create 2A, antique linen stickles (Ranger), Flower Shaping Tools (McGill), Y23,26, E0000,31,33,35,37, YG93,95,99 copic markers

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

For Unto You is Born

This week my project for Heartfelt Creations is all stamped. I have a real soft spot for long, vertical sentiments, so I was drawn to this stamp right away, from the O Little Town of Bethlehem set. Even better, I discovered that it coordinates with the Cut-Mat-Create dies, which makes it quick and easy to get a perfectly matted sentiment.

This poinsettia border stamp is one of my favourite images in the Festive Christmas Collection. I was excited to colour it from the moment I set eyes on it! I forgot to keep track of the copics I used - really sorry about that because it was quick and easy to colour and I would like to colour it again and make the border more dimensional by cutting out some of the flowers and building it up. Really, I just love this image...

I invite you to check out the Heartfelt Creations Blog  for more inspiration from the Heartfelt Creations Design Team. Have a lovely week!!

stamps; O little Town, Festive Candlelight (heartfelt creations)
ink; black soot distress ink (ranger)
paper; Festive Christmas Paper Collection (heartfelt creations), coconut swirl (bazzill)
accessories; white satin ribbon (offray), copic markers

For You

I finished this card about a week ago, but needed to write about "The epistemological differences between Qualitative and Quantitative research with focus on the purposes and types of statements in each of the research approaches". Now that my commentary is done, I can post this. Phew!

I'm pulling a lot of random things together from the piles on my desk. It's good because my desk is getting cleaned up, which makes me happy, I'm using up older supplies, which makes me happy, and I'm giving myself an opportunity to process all the information I'm pouring into my brain, which makes me happy. It's all good, I think!

I haven't done many cute images lately, so this darling image was a nice change of pace. I've learned that grown up people like grown up cards, but my kids love the cute cards to give to their friends. It's good to have a balance - my mantra for almost everything!

Panda, our foster tripod gets groomed tomorrow for the first time ever, so I'm really looking forward to it!! I have no doubt he'll love it because he's itchy, his wound is itchy as it heals, he's got gross stuff in his fur and he's oily. His coat will be gorgeous once the mats and gunk are gone, and he's going to love the straight up full body scratch he'll get. And it'll be so much nicer to massage him after he's cleaned up.

Thanks for coming by today.

stamps;digital  image (a day for daisies), sentiment - vintage labels (SU!)
ink; slate adirondack (ranger)
paper; hazel (my mind's eye), canvas white, ash (bazzill), x-press it (copic)
accessories; lg long classic rectangle (spellbinders), silver painty pen (zig), tag punch, silver cord (SU!), silver bells dew drops (the robin's nest), white ribbon (offray), Y00, 21, 23, 26, BG10, 13, 18, BV0000, 000, 00, 02, 04, G21, 40, 46, 82, B0000, 000, 00, 01, colorless blender

Heartfelt Creations; Moments with You

I am excited to announce I have chosen to rejoin the Heartfelt Creations Design Team!! And this is my first post, making it official. It's good for me to be doing creative things again and now I must do creative things because I have regular deadlines. It's all good.

Today, I've chosen to use Borders and Corners and Sun Kissed Fleur from the Sun Kissed Fleur Collection.  Gorgeous floral images which I really love! The dark printed paper is from the Floral Key Collection, which has some incredibly stunning papers!!! I anticipate going through these papers far too quickly.

I stamped the floral images on pattern paper from the Timeless Amour paper collection before colouring and cutting it out. I really love the way this brings the images together through printed texture.

This circle sentiment is from Moments with You, a favourite set that I received from Heartfelt Creations. Love it! I used an older butterfly die from Spellbinders, since to be honest most of the papercrafting supplies I have are now older except for the product that I was generously given from Heartfelt Creations. Really old people... More than 5 years old... Dried up adhesive, ink and paints which I am diligently working at restoring or pitching if it can't be restored. Oy!

Back to the butterfly. I cut out the bottom layer from the same gorgeous paper I used for the florals on the card and cut the second from vellum. I created the butterfly body with some taupe adhesive pearls. Tah-dah!

Do check out the Heartfelt Creations Blog for some additional creative inspiration this week!

stamps; sun kissed fleur, sun kissed fleur borders and corners, moments with you (heartfelt creations)
paper; timeless amour paper collection, floral key paper collection (heartfelt creations), raven (bazzill), vellum (unknown)
ink; black soot, pumice stone distress ink (ranger)
accessories; Iron Work Accents, Small Classic Circles, Butterflies 2 (spellbinders), taupe adhesive pearls (zva), black ribbon (offray), copic markers: B39, 91, 95, 99, E87, YG93, 95, 97, W2, 6

Sealed with a Wish

A couple of years (yes, years!) ago, I printed off some digital images and sentiment I wanted to work with and I wanted them to be ready if I found I had some extra time and inclination to colour. So glad I did that!! I kept everything protected and safe and while everyone else in my house was busy, I indulged myself for a little bit of playtime. I can see where I need to brush up a bit on my skills, but overall I don't think this little cutie patootie is half bad.

I didn't get the folds in her dress quite the way I wanted them. In fact, they aren't what I was after at all, but the tye-dye effect is not too bad. The ground looks better and much softer irl because I'm having trouble getting the hang of the colour editing capability in my image editing software. Oy!! Shaking the cobwebs out! My camera took really dark pictures, and I'm not sure why. More cobwebs, I guess. As I was working on this, I discovered some of my copics were either dried up (didn't think that was supposed to happen!!!) or were leaking (ditto!!) so I ended up with a yellow drip on her face (*GACK*) as I was putting the last couple of touches on, and I could have spit fireballs!! Dried up or leaking?!! I thought copic markers were made better than that!!

This sentiment is from tlc creations and it's timeless and seasonless. A perfect sentiment!

stamps; image (tiddly inks), sentiment (tlc creations)
ink; tumbled glass distress ink (ranger)
paper; urban prairie (basic grey), daisy, canvas white (bazzill), blue cardstock (core'dinations)
accessories; white satin ribbon (SU!), bling it pink rhinestones (basic grey), rectangle, petite oval nesties (spellbinders), copic markers

abc challenge - colourful
digi galore - girly
natalie & amy - one for the girlies
pile it on - p is for - pink

Snowman, Darling Snowman

I have lots of digital images, and this Snowman from Pure Innocence is one of my favourites. I won't tell you how long I've had it printed, waiting to be coloured. It's just embarassing really. I am happy to say I have several cards to post in the near future, most of them are Christmas cards. I didn't have time to make Christmas cards last year, and it was quite a sad situation! This year, the areas of my life are a little more in balance.

I am so pleased I was able to capture the 'snowfall' on the snowman's hat! I just love the effect of Stardust stickles on this image. It is all coloured with Copic markers. I can see areas that tell me I'm a little rusty, but I hope to get that all worked out over the next few weeks. I am happy to be stamping for me, and to relax. My wonderful family doesn't demand too much of my time when I am in my studio with my door closed. They are being very generous with me!

I dug through a few drawers because I couldn't remember where my charms were, and I found this lovely silver snowflake. I could have told you the manufacturer 2 years ago, but not any more. Sorry! It's perfect for this card though!!

I had my 12 yo daughter sort my Christmas stamps with me and I found this gem buried in my Christmas stamp tote. I love this sentiment to bits and I think it is lovely with this image.

I hope your weekend is blessed and restful.

stamps; snowman (pure innocence), sentiment (unknown)
ink; pitch black distress ink (ranger)
paper; blitzen (basic grey), coconut swirl, white canvas (bazzill), x-press it blending card (copic)
accessories; labels 8, circles, squares (spellbinders), clear rhinestones (bazzill), snowflake charm (unknown), stardust stickles (ranger), white ribbon (SU!)

DTGD Baby Card

As I have said before, I haven't had much time to make cards for quite some time. I allowed my Splitcoaststampers membership to lapse. Well, I'm trying to get back to doing some things I enjoy, so I renewed my membership and, to my delight, it's Dare to Get Dirty time! I perused the challenges, and combined 3 to create this card. I bought a set of dies a couple of weeks ago - my first new crafting supplies in ages! - and  was excited to use them in this card today. This was a very simple card to make, with only one layer of designer paper. The rest of the layers are merely white card stock, with a little pink thrown in. I want to play with this look more, making cards for many occasions, like weddings, birthdays, and Christmas.

I coloured this darling baby image using copic markers, and little pink rhinestones to bling her dress.

Thanks for popping by today.

stamps; baby digital image (by lori designs)
paper; urban prairie (basic grey), coconut swirl, ballet pink dotted swiss (bazzill)
accessories; regal rose grosgrain ribbon (su!), chablis self-adhesive rhinestones (bazzill), marvelous squares, scallop squares dies (spellbinders)

pile it on; anything goes