Late Christmas Card Sharing

Hi friends,
It's been awhile since I last posted here.  December has been a difficult month.  As you know, I have been having back problems.  However, other things became more important.  My mother-in-law's health has been on a decline this past year and took a much more turn for the worse this month.  We buried her the week before Christmas. 

Also, our computer crashed.  We did purchase a new one and I am trying to learn how to use it.  As you may be aware, I am not computer saavy.  I did manage to make some a card and a tag before this all happened and here they are.

For this card as well as the tag, I used papers from Maja Design's new Christmas Season collection.  I love the colors used for the papers.  I am trying to use items in my stash so the bits of lace, diecut holly leaves, bells, gems, and seam binding all came together on this card.  I also tucked some cheesecloth under the layers.

I do love the vintage image on the card and the contrasting layers.

Last but not least is this tag.  I loved the image of the lady sitting atop the hat boxes.  I fussy cut her from the paper and added foam squares for dimension.  Once again, all the items used to decorate the card are from my stash or gifted from a dear friend. 

Well, that's all for now.  I wish you all a belated Merry Christmas and hope that you are having a wonderful holiday week.  Happy New Year!  And thanks for stopping by!

Pink Christmas Card and Tag

Hello friends!  I didn't get a chance to post last week as I hurt my back decorating the Christmas tree.  I did go to the doctor the other day and was prescribed a medication and exercises but, so far, no relief.  It has forced me to slow down in my normal activities, which is not a good thing this time of year!

I do have two projects to share today.  I just realized that most of my Christmas creations are in a pink theme.  That wasn't intentional!  It is fun to create outside of traditional colors, though.  Both the card and tag were made featuring stamps from Unity Stamp Co. and were colored with Copic markers.

This tag was made with paper by Bo Bunny and snowflake dies that I found in my stash.  The sentiment is also from Unity Stamp.  Pom-pom trim, ribbon, twine and charm were also from my stash.

Once again for this card I used the same paper as I used in the tag above.  The unity girl was cut out with a Spellbinders die.  The snowflake die is Cheery Lynn and was also used on the tag above.  The sentiment is from Papertrey Ink and the other items used are from my stash.

That is about it for me today.  I hope to do some more Christmas crafting soon.  Thanks so much for stopping by and for your sweet comments.  Have a wonderful week ahead!

Merry Christmas Card

Hello all!  We had a wonderful Thanksgiving this past Thursday and now it is time to get in the Christmas mode.  I colored this Magnolia Tilda with Rudolph stamp image last year with Distress Ink and finally put it together on this card.

First, I used Maja Design paper on a white cardstock base.  I then colored a background scene using another Magnolia stamp, Snowy Mountain.  A bit of Frantage and Snow Writer highlighted the background.  I then cut it out with a circular die and used this beautiful circle frame die by Amy Design to showcase the little scene.  The Merry Christmas gold diecut tag in the upper right corner is also from Magnolia.  The gold "joyful" sentiment in the lower left is Papertrey Ink.  A bit of Stickles and Wink of Stella give some sparkle to Tilda.  Flowers, wooden stars and gold/white twine add the finishing touches.

That's it for me today.  A batch of oatmeal cookies are waiting to be put in the oven.  I have started my Christmas decorating and am taking it slow in order to enjoy each moment of the season.  Have you started decorating yet?

Thank you for stopping by my blog.  I do appreciate your kind comments.  Have a wonderful week ahead!

Autumn Birthday Card

Hi there!  We had our first measurable snowfall this past Thursday and I was so happy!  It is unusual for us to get significant snow this early, so I was completely thrilled!

Thanksgiving is this week and, with that, Christmas is right around the corner.  I thought I'd better get my autumn-themed cards up on this blog so I can start to focus on Christmas cards.  Today, I am showing a birthday card I made for a special blogging friend.

The image is from Unity Stamps and called Constance Girl.  I colored her with Copic markers and used Stitched Circle Dies by Cottage Cutz as a frame for her.  The pattern paper is from Authentique and the kraft paper is from Recollections.  The feather and leaves dies were inked in Distress Ink.  The sentiment was a free die I received with an order.  Sequins are by Studio Katia.

I was really happy with how this card turned out.  I am still trying to perfect my coloring skills, though!

Thank you so much for taking time to stop by my blog and for the very kind and sweet comments you leave.  I wish everyone in the States a very Happy Thanksgiving this Thursday.  Hope everyone also has a wonderful week!

Fall Card

Hi friends!  Just a quick post to share this Fall card before the season is over!  I made this card for my Mom while she was in the hospital.  I wanted to make her something besides the typical get well card.  Fall is her favorite season.

Let me tell you, I have had this Debbie Mum paper pad forever!  I decided to use those pretty papers on this card.  The pumpkin is a Recollections stamp colored with Copic markers.  The word "joy" was cut from gold metallic paper and is a Momenta die.  The bronze glitter alphabet letters are from Making Memories.  Sequins are from Studio Katia.  The leaves are from my stash.

That's it for me today.  After a couple of days in the 70s this past week, we are back to wonderful Fall weather this weekend.  I plan to enjoy each moment of this crisp, chilly air!

Thanks so much for stopping by.  I appreciate your kind comments.  Have a wonderful week ahead!

Get Your Spooky On

Hi there!  It's been a few weeks since my last post and I'm happy to report that my Mom is doing much better these days.  While she doesn't have all the energy she used to, she is able to once again do those little things we sometimes take for granted.  Thank you for all the well wishes and prayers, my crafty friends!

I am not a big fan of Halloween; however, I received this stamp set as a free gift with an order I placed at Unity stamps.  I thought she was cute and not scary!  I managed to find two remnants of Halloween paper and made this card.

The image was colored with Copic markers and cut with a pretty frame die by Spellbinders (how appropriate to use Spellbinders with this stamp.  Get it?  Spells, witches?)  I added a touch of gold Stickles to the buckle on the hat.  The papers go back to my first days of crafting, so I've had them quite awhile!  The beautiful butterfly is from Reneabouquets.

For those who celebrate, have a safe Halloween.  These days, you cannot be too careful.  Thank you so much for stopping by and for all your kind comments.  I appreciate each and every one!  Have a wonderful week ahead!

World Cardmaking Day

Hi everyone!  Just a quick post today.  With my Mom being ill, I haven't had much time to craft but I did squeeze in some time to make a card since it was World Cardmaking Day. 

The layered stamp set, dies and inks are from Papertrey Ink--Winter Fox set.  The paper is Bo Bunny.  I used sequins, glitter glue and a fern punch to add for accents.  I did heat emboss some snowflakes on the oval background (which is a Tim Holtz die) but you can barely see them. 

I also used the tree stamp to decorate the envelope.  It was so relaxing to make this card and easy to do.

Thank you so much for taking time to stop by.  I appreciate your sweet comments.  Have a wonderful week ahead!

Cocoa Tag

Hello there.  I haven't had a chance to craft or post much these days as I have been helping my parents.  My Mom was in the hospital for a week and is now receiving therapy to try and regain her strength and ability to ambulate.  Please continue to keep her in your prayers.  We do appreciate them!

Back when there were Christmas in July postings, I tried to get a head start on my Christmas cards/tags.  I was fortunate to receive a free stamp set from Simon Says Stamp and could not resist making this small tag.

I stamped the image onto a Recollections white tag and colored it with Copics.  I edged the tag with glitter glue as well as on some of the stamped image.  The hearts were given a coat of Glossy Accents.  For extra sparkle, I added some sequins from Pretty Pink Posh.  A sheer ribbon and some twine were tied to the top.

There you have it--a sweet and easy tag.  I hope to make a few more in different colors before the holidays.

Thank you so much for taking time to stop by and for all your kind comments.  I am so glad that Fall is officially here even if it is a rainy first day!  Have a wonderful week ahead!

Thinking of You Card

Hello, crafty friends!  Thank you all for your prayers and dear comments regarding my Mom in my last post.  We appreciate your thoughtfulness.  It means a lot to me.

Today, I have a card I made for a crafty friend who is facing a challenge at this time.  I was given this sweet stamp as a gift and thought it would be perfect for a card.

The stamp image was colored with Copic markers and cut out with a Tim Holtz stitched oval die.  Touches of Stickles were added here and there for sparkle.  The pattern paper and noteworthy cutout are from the Bo Bunny "Secret Garden Collection."  The "Thinking of You" sentiment stamp is from Inkadinkado.  The butterflies were also cut from the Bo Bunny paper with a Martha Stewart punch.  I tucked a wide strip of lace under the image and added sequins from Pretty Pink Posh for an accent. 

This card came together quickly and the image was so relaxing to color.  The papers from this collection are so pretty with their vibrant colors.

It's been a very rainy weekend here but I do not mind one bit.  I love rainy days!  Enjoy your Sunday and have a wonderful week ahead.

What's Up? Card

My father recently celebrated his birthday and I made a card for the occasion.  Whenever I need to make a masculine card, my go to always seems to be Tim Holtz.  His vintage, whimsical line of products make it easy to make a masculine-themed card as well as for any other type of card.

Once again, the majority of the products I used are from Tim Holtz.  I began by cutting a postage stamp frame from Distress cardstock.  The pattern paper is from his Wallflower collection and is embossed with a folder from the Bird Talk #2 stamp/die set.  I highlighted the embossed areas with Viva gold paste.  The bird, present and balloon were stamped, die cut and then colored with Distress markers.  The grass was cut from Distress cardstock using an Eileen Hull die.  Sequins from Studio Katia were added for some sparkle.  I also used Wink of Stella on the hat, balloon and bow.  The stamped sentiment is also from the Bird Talk#2 set.

Well, my friends, that's all for me today.  I do have a favor to ask.  My mother is experiencing health issues and has given up.  Please keep her in your prayers.  I don't usually post personal issues here but I am at a loss in what to do.  Thank you.

Life Is Peachy Tag

Hi there!  Back again with a new tag made with Pion Design's Life Is Peachy collection.  I love the papers in this collection but, then again, I always love their papers!

First, I just think the image of this lady with the butterflies is so pretty!  All it needed was to be embellished.  I added some fussy cut vines to the ones at the top of the tag.  All the flowers and leaves are from my stash as are the pearl, lace and pleated tulle at the bottom of the tag.  I tucked in a few diecut leaves.  The beautiful pink butterfly and a couple of Butterfly Kisses are from Reneabouquets.  I added a few Nuvo crystal drops for accent and a lace tie at the top.

Thanks so much for stopping by.  I appreciate your kind comments.  Have a wonderful week ahead.

Heart Gift Tags

Hi everyone!  Just a short post today.  I would like to share a couple of heart tags I made which were inspired by Jill Norwood on YouTube.  I used Tammy Tutterow Spellbinders heart dies to make them.

Up first is a tag I made in a shabby chic style.  The paper is from Prima's Love Story collection.  Each heart was edged with glitter.  The cherub is made with a mold I have.  The word "hugs" is diecut and layered three times for strength.  The tiny flowers, eyelash trim, baker's twine and flatback pearl are from my stash.  You can use the eyelash trim to tie the tag to a package and write your sentiment on the back.

Next up is a Winter-themed tag.  The paper I used to make the hearts is from The Paper Studio.  Each heart was edged with Silver Stickles.  The banner and sentiment are from Papertrey Ink.  The sentiment was embossed with silver embossing powder.  I also embossed snowflakes onto vellum using a stamp and die set from Papertrey Ink and tucked the snowflake cluster under the banner.  To finish the tag, I tied eyelash trim and a snowflake charm from Tim Holtz to the upper left corner.

Here are the two tags side by side.  They were so much fun and easy to make.  I definitely intend to make more!

Thanks so much for taking time to stop by.  I appreciate your kind comments.  Have a wonderful week ahead!

Summer Tag

Hi there!  It's very hot and humid today so I will be staying indoors where it is cool!  With all the Christmas in July postings last month, I am looking forward to the cooler weather.  Yesterday was my birthday.  I enjoyed a quiet celebration with family.

Today, I have a tag to share with a summer theme.  The papers are from Pion Design's Seaside Stories collection.  The tag base was cut from a cereal box and both sides covered with the paper.  Edges were inked and distressed.  The image, tickets and banner were cut from the papers.  Cheesecloth was tucked under everything.  Lace trims were added to the bottom.  An anchor was cut from Distress Metallic cardstock.  The flowers, charm and hemp bows are from my stash.  I added a seashell charm to the tie at the top.  Tiny seashells were tucked into the flowers.  Bubble droplets from Pretty Pink Posh were added as accents.

This was a fun tag to make.  If you click on the photo, you can probably see the details a bit better.

Thank you so much for taking time to stop by and visit my blog.  I appreciate your sweet comments.  Have a wonderful week ahead and stay cool is your weather is hot!

Christmas In July - Part 2

Hi there, everyone!  I'm back today to share my first Christmas card for the 2018 season.  For this card, I used the beautiful papers from an older Pion Design collection called "The Night Before Christmas."

This card was inspired by a card I saw on the Pion blog.  All paper edges were inked and distressed.  A Penny Black antique frame die was used on the dark burgandy paper.  On the Santa image as well as the sentiment banner, I also added some Prima Snowflake Paste.  The doily is from a Prima die.  Lace, seam binding, bell and twine are from my stash.  Pearls are Melissa Frances.  I then added some white splatters using water-downed gesso.

I just love these old-fashioned images and paper patterns.  I was so hesitant to cut into the papers but it was time to do so.  I hope you like my card.

Thank you so much for taking time to stop by.  I appreciate your kind comments and enjoy reading them.  Have a wonderful week ahead!

Christmas in July - Part 1

In watching YouTube for crafting videos, I have been seeing a lot of projects this month focusing on Christmas in July.  I decided to join in and get a start on my Christmas projects.  This week, I am sharing some tiny tags using Tim Holtz dies.

These tags are quite tiny, measuring under two inches.  You can get an idea of the size by comparing to the quarter on the right.  These were somewhat tedious to make because of all the extra tiny parts.  I used Distress cardstock to cut everything out.  For each of the images, I used glittered cardstock.  However, I wasn't happy with how it looked on the Santa; so I used Snow Writer and Diamond Dust on his beard and hat.  A holly sticker was added to the candy cane and some rhinestones were added to the snowflake.  Twine and tinsel garland were used for the ties.  Because it was so time consuming to make these, I think the next time I will just cut everything out on white cardstock and color with Copics. 

Here is a look at the card I made as well.  Details will be on my blog next week.

Thank you for taking time to stop by and for leaving a comment.  Have a wonderful week ahead!

Love Story Tag

Recently, I was gifted with several sheets of Prima's Love Story papers and decided to make a tag with some of it.

Using a piece of cardboard to cut out the tag shape, I then covered both sides with the paper.  Isn't that image so sweet?  I edged it in a lacy trim to bring attention to it and mounted it on a piece of cardboard for dimension.  If you click on the photo, you will see some feathers I diecut from the paper using a Spellbinders die.  Various flowers, leaves, and resin birds from my stash surround the image.  A couple of hemp bows are tucked under the image along with cheesecloth.  Across the bottom of the tag, I added some trims and pearl strands.  A bit of lace and seam binding were tied to the top.

Well, that's my share for today.  It is an overcast day here but still warm and humid.  The next few days will be hotter and humid as well.  Counting the days until Fall! 

Thank you so much for taking time to stop by.  For those that leave a comment, I thank you.  I enjoy reading them and appreciate hearing from you.  Have a most wonderful week ahead!

Shabby Chic Embellishment Box

Recently, I tried my hand at altering a small plastic tool box (measuring about 5x7 inches) for a swap.  I must admit I was a bit intimidated by it; however, I gave it a whirl!  Here it is.

First, I gave the lid a coat of off-white paint and crackle paste.  After it dried, I couldn't see any crackling.  On to Plan B which was to cover the lid in a lacy fabric.  I then went through my stash and pulled out various trims, appliques, flowers, etc.  The flower to the left of the beige center flower was made by me using some trim and a pretty pearl cluster for the center.  I added a glittery bird for a touch of whimsy.  Here are some photos of the box from various angles.

Inside I added an assortment of trinkets and do-dads that can be added to different kinds of projects.  If you click on each photo, you can get a larger view of things.

Well, there you have it--my first altered embellishment box.  It wasn't quite so intimidating once I got started!

Thank you so much for stopping by and for your sweet comments.  I appreciate each one and enjoy reading them.  Have a wonderful week ahead!

We Are Free Tag

Hello friends!  July has arrived and brings with it a long heat wave with the dreaded humidity!  For me, I can never understand why anyone loves the summer.  But, then again, many cannot understand why I love cold weather.  July also brings the Independence Day holiday (4th of July).  With that in mind, I created this tag.

The inspiration for this tag came from Sara Emily over at Sara's Closet.  I loved how she used Tim Holtz' paper doll and wanted to use it for a tag of my own.  Just about every item on this tag is from Tim Holtz.  No one recreates the old-fashioned, patriotic theme as well as Tim.  I began with a pre-made black tag and covered it with several layers of the Correspondence paper collection.  The chipboard frame isn't Tim's but I used it to frame another one of his papers.  I did use Distress Inks in Weathered Wood, Old Paper, Frayed Burlap and Vintage Photo on it.  I also used Distress Inks in Aged Mahogany and Blueprint Sketch to tint the paper doll and Tim's seam binding.  The three metal stars from Tim's collection were lightened up a bit with Inka Gold Old Silver Metallic Rub.  Tim's Wildflower dies were used on Distress cardstock and highlighted with Stickles.  The sentiment are from the Small Talk and Chitchat sticker collections.

I really am happy with how the tag turned out and hope you like it, too.  Thank you, Sara Emily, for the inspiration.

Thanks so much for taking time to stop by and for your sweet comments.  Wishing those of us in the States a wonderful and safe 4th of July.  Happy Canada Day to our friends up north.

Lavender Birthday Card

Hi there!  Today, I have a birthday card to share using the Lavender collection by Prima.  I limited myself to mainly using the papers for the background and embellishing.

Pattern paper was applied to a white cardstock base.  Next, I added some trims to the top and bottom as well as a paper doily by Wilton.  Using an EK circle punch, I placed the paper punched from the same sheet as the background onto the center of the doily.  I then edged the circle with trim.  The flowers and butterfly were fussy cut from another sheet and popped up for dimension.  Twine and Pretty Pink Posh sequins were added for accent.  The stamped sentiment is from Our Daily Bread Designs.

This card came together rather quickly.  The floral papers and butterflies in this collection are so pretty!  I've just begun to use sequins on some of my projects and love the extra sparkle they give.

Thank you so much for taking time to stop by.  I appreciate your taking time to leave a comment.  Have a wonderful week ahead!

Father's Day Card 2018

Hello everyone!  I hope you are having a wonderful weekend.  Happy Father's Day to those who are celebrating it today.  In honor of the day, I made this card for my Dad.

Making masculine theme cards is always a challenge for me.  Whenever I need to make one, I almost always find myself turning to Tim Holtz and his wonderful line of products.  Just about the only thing not from Tim's line is the stamped sentiment.  The design of this card was taken from an example on the Dog Talk stamp and die set--I did add my own touch to it.  An embossing folder of ink splatters included in the set adds texture to the background.  The papers are from Tim's Wallflower collection and Distress cardstock.  The dog, bone and hearts were colored with Copics and highlighted a bit with Glossy Accents.  I used Tim's Wildflower dies to add a bit more texture and colored them with Distress Markers.  I also added some foam dots under the dog for added dimension.

Well, that's it for me today.  We are entering a hot, humid phase today with temperatures reaching the 100 degree mark tomorrow.  Ugh!  Cannot wait until Fall! 

Thanks so much for stopping by and taking time to leave a comment.  I appreciate hearing from you.  Have a wonderful week ahead!

Maja Design/Magnolia Card

Hi there, everyone!  I hope you are having a good weekend.  I haven't had much time to craft lately as my mother is ill.  However, I did make this card recently but it took me about three days to finish.

The papers used for the background, flowers and leaves are from Maja Design Vintage Romance.  The sweet Tilda image is from the Sunbeam collection.  I colored her with Copic markers and then layered the image onto pattern paper cut with a Cheery Lynn die.  A piece of lace was placed under the framed image.  The flowers are cut with the Magnolia Doily Flowers die from the Bon Voyage collection.  The banner is from La-La Land Crafts.  The sentiment, from Our Daily Bread Designs, was stamped onto a diecut heart.  Rhinestone accents are from Recollections.  Sequins are from Pretty Pink Posh.

This card was made for a crafty friend who is recovering from surgery.  I hope it will cheer her up.

Thank you so much for taking time to stop by.  I appreciate your kind comments.  Is anyone having a problem getting email notifications from Blogger when someone leaves a comment on your blog?  I always was notified but am not getting them for the last couple of weeks. 

Enjoy the rest of the weekend and have a wonderful week ahead!

Altered Shabby Chic Embroidery Hoop

Hello friends.  Just a short post today sharing an embroidery hoop I altered for a swap.  Everything is fairly simple.  All item were attached with FabricTac glue. 

Here is a view from the side.

And another view from the opposite side

Thank you for taking the time to stop by my blog.  I appreciate your kind comments.  Have a wonderful week!