MC Dec/13 - Quill - Metallic Pastels - HB

I was playing with my embossing folders and my newest Metallic Pan Pastels and this is one of the results. Love the look.

You can see all the details and descriptions by clicking on card image. Enjoy

I'm using my favorite Happy Birthday stamp from Quietfire Design

And it fits for these challenges:
Oh La La Creations  #144  BD
Crafty Creations  #251 anything except Xmas
Simon Says Challenge  Make your own background
The Paper Shelter  #140 BD
Anything goes:
Sir Stamp A Lot
Oozak Challenge  #27
Loves Rubber Stamps  #81
Papertake Weekly 
TTCRD  #3-9

MC Dec/13 - WC Flourishes - Thanks

I absolutely love the way this card turned out and the smile it puts on my face. I need that smile to get through the FRIGID weather we're going to have for the next week... Did I tell you I HATE WINTER. Sigh!!

Anyway I picked up some Holbein watercolors, more of my "Opera" love that color. and then some "Compose Green #2", & "Premanent Magenta", also got some Winsor & Newton refills "Rose Madder Genuine" & "Cadmium Yellow". So with those colors made a mish mash kind of background on some cheapie watercolor paper. When dry, didn't really like it for a calligraphy piece I wanted to do, so die cut into the flourish shapes.. this is the result.

You can see all the details and descriptions by clicking on card image. Enjoy

I'm also using a "Thanks" stamp from Quietfire Design.

And it fits for these challenges:
Craft Your Passion  #190 thanksgiving/give thanks
Inspiration Avenue  gratitude
The Pink Elephant  #227 thankful
Loves Rubber Stamps  #80 Give thanks
Crafty Creations  #250 Thank you
Lil Red Wagon  #213 something off the edge
Sisterhood of Crafters  something hand made (the background for the flourishes)
Brown Sugar Challenges  #70 thank you
Wags n Whiskers  #118 things with wings (Bkgr'd text with BFlies)
Pile it On Challenge  #48 P is for: "Pink" & "Pearls"

MC Nov/13 - Xmas Candles

Both of these cards are basically a 1 layer card.

Since the flap on the 1st card was smaller than the card I needed to adhere my 1 layer on to it... The 2nd card is layered on to mulberry paper (edge to edge) which is too thin to act as a card base...

I created an eCut file mimicking the Memory Box 3 candle die. One I cut using Sookwang tape and the other just from white cardstock and then enhanced.

I cut the black outline one, below, first, but thought it was just too big (set it aside for later) and resized it and then cut the smaller version, first putting a piece of 6"h Sookwang tape on my white cardstock and cutting at a blade depth of 2 on my Silhouette Cameo machine. That way it only cut through the release paper.

I selectively removed pieces of the release paper and colored with various brands of glitter (Recollections multi set glitter, Ritz micro fine glitter, Distress glitter). Stamped the sentiment (Quietfire Design "Christmas Cuddler" set) using Versafine Black Onyx and carefully clear embossing it. PS Sookwang tape is not heat stable.

Adhered my glittered piece to make a 7"w x 5" card.

I took the large outline I had set aside and started playing with it and decided to only use part of the eCut. I colored the white cardstock with Distress Stains "Black Soot" dried with my heat gun and then applied Versamark all over and embossed with Black embossing powder, repeated several times to get a really glossy covering.

I adhered a piece of heart inclusion mulberry paper to my 4.25"w x 5.5"h white card, edge to edge. Then adhered my trimmed candles. Used a quickie Glue pen to put a dab of glue in the flame area and sprinkled with Distress yellow glitter.

Stamped the words (Quietfire Design "Textured Word" set) with the black.

Both cards were so quick and easy to do.

Click on either card image to enlarge. Enjoy.

And they fit for these challenges:
Either card:
One Layer Wednesday  OLW#168 Sparkle & Shine
Simon Says Stamp Challenge  anything goes
4 Crafty Chicks  #170 Xmas
Cute Card Thursday  #297 anything goes
Sister Act Card Challenge  #35 anything goes
Totally Papercrafts  #195 Xmas
2 Sisters Challenge  #172 anything goes

1st Card:
Digi Stamps for Joy  #81 distressing
Delightful Sketches  your favorite embellies (glitter)
Southern Girls Challenge  #83  texture


Black & White card:
Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge  Xmas for a guy
Crafts 4 Eternity  #152 non tradition Xmas colors or image
Fussy n Fancy  #103 hearts
Sweet Stampin Challenge  black, white + 1 color

MC Nov/13 - White on White - Let it Snow

I had an outline piece from one of the previous tries with the Impression Obsession Snowflake die I was having so many problems with... I embossed it with Pearlescent embossing powder and adhered it to my card and let it sit there for a while...

Had another snowflake in my stash (Sizzix) which was glittered with I think Distress "Star Dust". Adhered it to the center of the larger snowflake.

Used a Cuttlebug embossing folder and my hard rubber mallet to randomly & selectively emboss the snowflake design.

Stamped the sentiment (Quietfire Design) with Versamark and embossed with silver embossing powder.

Click on card image to enlarge. Enjoy

And it fits for these challenges:
Crafty Cardmakers  #105 CAS
Crazy Challenge  #159 Snowy Winter
Lexis Creations  #105 Xmas
MIM Challenge  #122 Xmas with no red or green
Paper Playtime  #24 Anything goes
Bearly Mine  #114 anything goes
City Crafter  #187 white as a focal color
Creative Challenge  #24 Xmas with no red or green
TTCRD Challenge  #26-2  anything goes

DT Nov/13 - Easel Ho Ho Ho - I'm Telling You

My turn on the Quietfire Creations Blog today. My past couple cards have been quick and easy/CAS type cards. Today I decided to get a bit more involved and make a scene... Even though it's more involved, it's not hard to do. BIG GRIN.

Suzanne came out with one of the newest e-cut files Ho Ho Ho, which was the prompt for this card.

To see more details and descriptions, just click on card image and enjoy or click here to go to my web page.

Hope you give making a scene a try. Most of the elements can be interchanged with what you have. Enjoy.

MC Nov/13 - CAS Scenic - Thank You

This card, even though it's a CAS card started out with a bunch of challenges in mind...

Pan Pastels wanted us to use some form of medium, OLW asked for water, another challenge called for circles, another for Thanks and this is the results...

I side folded my white card 5.5"w x 4.25"h. Used my EK Success circle scissor to cut out a 3.5" circle to use both as a stencil and a mask.

First as a stencil, applied Ranger's Emboss-it dauber liquid all over the opening. Sponged my newest acquisition - Pan Pastels Metallic set (Pewter, Silver, Copper) in streaks, then wiping with a paper towel. Stamped the scenic element ((Beeswax "Roof Tops") with Versafine Black Onyx. Then stamped the sentiment (Quietfire Design) with the black. Heat set.

Removed the stencil and placed the circle as a mask. Sponged Distress "Tumbled Glass" all over, more heavily in the corners, spritzed with some water to create a nice textural element, dried, removed mask.

I then put the stencil back in place, slightly off set and used a charcoal colored colored pencil to do a slight shadow on the lower left side of the circle and upper right side. Removed stencil.

Looked at the word and said it needed a bit of white shadowing, so pulled out my Copic white and pointed pen.

As a final touch, rounded the corners of the card to mimic the circle.

I'm content. BIG GRIN

Click on card image to enlarge. Enjoy.

And it fits for these challenges:
Card Mania  #34 autumn colors
Love to Scrap  #18 masculine
Papertake Weekly  Give thanks
One Layer Wednesday  #167 add water
Belli Challenge  #183 Thanks
The House That Stamps Built  #118 Give Thanks
Southern Girls Challenge  #82 circles
CAS-Ual Fridays  #121 use 8 of something (8 letters in Thank You)
Jingle Belles Rock  Thank You for after the holidays
JW Scrapshack  #27 thankful
2 Sisters Challenge  #171 thank you
Crazy 4 Challenges  #213 thank you
Pan Pastels UK  #47 mix the Pan Pastels with something

MC Nov/13 - CAS - Snowflakes are Butterflies

I mentioned yesterday I was getting samples made for a class I'll be teaching in a couple weeks. I had die cut a bunch of Tim's movers & shapers snowflakes using Sookwang tape on cardstock to glitter them. When I was removing the release paper, I realized I had enough of them to make a background piece... This is the result of that thought.

I side folded my 4.25"w x 5.5"h white card. Lay a piece of 2.5"w Sookwang tape down the left side. stuck my snowflake release papers down and sprinkled with a couple colors of glitter (Ritz micro fine glitter "Peacock Blue" and a blue from a Sprinkler's glitter set). Burnished well then removed the release paper snowflakes. Sprinkled with Distress "Star Dust" glitter. Added Liquid Pearls "Platinum" dots to the snowflake centers.

Stamped the quote (Quietfire Design) with Versafine Black Onyx. Trimmed it down, outlined the edges with the bullet tip of a blue Zig Writer, adhered to card.

Voila.

Click on image to enlarge. Enjoy.

And it fits for these challenges:
Pile it on Challenge  #47 non traditional Xmas (no red or green)
One Stitch at a Time  #191 Bingo: blue, gems, lace: stickles/Liquid Pearls, dies, 3 layers: CAS, ribbon, green
Corrosive Challenges  #188  Happy Holidays
Simply Create Too  #51 snow (2nd entry)
Crafts 4 Eternity  #151 glitter & sparkle (2nd entry)
Cupcake Inspiration  #238 see below

MC Nov/13 - Wouters - Xmas Cards

ID: MC Nov/13 - Wouters Blocks - Merry Xmas

I decided to make some samples of very easy Xmas cards for a class I'll be teaching in a couple weeks to kids between the ages of 9 & 12 - Beats me what possessed me to accept this assignment... I'll be teaching some basic calligraphy using a Parallel pen and I figured the Wouters font I created would work well for them. We'll see.

All 3 cards are 5" x 6.5" and calligraphy done with a 3.8m pen

ID: MC Nov/13 Wouters Boot - Holiday Wishes

The first card I made is the block letter style, boxes outlined with a Zig Writer, colored in with Prisma colored pencils. The small holly leaves were stamped with Distress "Pine Needles" and the berries colored. The Mistletoe bouquet & border pieces were stamped with Versafine Black Onyx. All stamps on this card are from Flourishes "Doves & Holly" & "Meet Me Under the Mistletoe".

The Cowboy boat is the next card I made stamping the boot (Flourishes "Cowboy Christmas") with the black and coloring in with the Prisma colored pencils. I colored the word "Holiday" using a white pencil first and then over coloring with a red. The doodles were done with the white colored pencil. As a final touch, added a red colored pencil border.

The last card, I repeatedly stamped the large snowflake (Bo Bunny) with Distress "Tumbled Glass". Wrote in my word and added some Viva Silver Glitter Pen dots on the diamonds. Drew in the blue border using a Super Ferby Metallic blue pencil. Die cut the snowflake, glittered it and adhered it to the card.

Click on any card to enlarge. Enjoy

And it fits for these challenges:
Simply Create Too  #51 snow
All Sorts Challenge  #234 bring on the bling

MC Nov/13 - eCut Noel Copperplate cards

Suzanne at Quietfire Design, just came out with this copperplate version of Noel as an eCut file, so had to use it right away BIG GRIN

And from one cutting, got 2 cards... Both cards use basically the same supplies.

Click on either card to see more details and descriptions etc. Enjoy

And it fits for these challenges:


Little Scrap Pieces  Fa La La
Aud Sentiment  #94 add a sentiment
Crafty Creations  #249 Xmas
Fab n Funky challenges  #194 anything goes
Penny's Challenges  #154 anything goes
The Paper Shelter  #138 Xmas
4 Crafty Chicks  #169 anything goes
CCEE Stampers  #1347 embossing & glitter
Brown Sugar Challenge  #69 Anything goes
Crafts 4 Eternity  #151 glitter & sparkle
Stampin 4 the Weekend  Feeling Festive
Create A Licious  Monthly Xmas
Oozak challenge  #26 Xmas
Bearly Mine Challenge  #113 Xmas with traditional colors (red & green) & die cuts
TTCRD Challenge  #29-25 anything goes
Scrap Creations  Sparkle

MC Nov/13 - Quill Mason Jar - Noel

As I mentioned in my previous post, I had a bunch of scraps from trying to cut the snowflake image... so I had several of these small center pieces, one section that I didn't have a problem cutting...

Applied Versamark to them, then embossed with Stamp n Bond, heat activated and sprinkled with Distress "Star Dust" glitter.

Card is side folded 4"w x 8.5"h. I stamped the script background twice (Heartfelt Creations "Herald Angels Bkgr'd") to cover the whole card using Distress "Pumice Stone".

Die cut the large mason jar (Memory Box), sponged Distress "Vintage Photo" and some red. ran through my embossing machine with a Cuttlebug Holly embossing folder, then sponged the high points with more brown. Adhered it to the edge of the card, cutting off the excess. Added all my quilled elements and punched out a bunch of Pine Sprigs (McGill punch) from green decorated paper.

Die cut the ink well, Quill and nibs (Sizzix Tim's "Writing Desk" Bigz die). The nibs embossed with silver. The Quill sponged with the brown and red, then added vein lines with a .1 pen. The ink well also sponged with the brown and red. Embossed with Cuttlebug "Swiss Dots" embossing folder. Hit high points with a Versamark pad and embossed with white embossing powder, then embossed the whole well again with clear embossing powder.

Stamped the word "Noel" (Queitfire Design) with Versafine Black Onyx, clear embossed, filled int he open spaces with a Quickie Glue pen and sprinkled with Ritz micro fine glitter "Ruby Red".

Adhered my snowflakes in the open spaces.

Click on image to enlarge. Enjoy

And it fits for these challenges:
One Stitch At A Time  #190 anything goes
Fashionable Stamping  #61 Shabby Chic Xmas

MC Nov/13 - IO Snowflake Ornament - Christmas

One of my friends had this Impression Obsession snowflake die which I thought was beautiful... The only problem, she had a heck of a time trying to cut it, and never really getting it cut completely... So I saw the die and decided to buy it, just for the heck of it. But low and behold I was also having a very frustrating time cutting it as well. I have a Big Shot Pro machine (12"wide). Tried various thicknesses of paper, various shims, rotating the die, running it back and forth, all the usual stuff to try and cut it. No luck. And with all the back and forth etc, paper stretching and or shifting just slightly and that thin border around the snowflake was always cut to shreds. Got lots of SCRAP... So needless to say I DO NOT RECOMMEND BUYING THIS DIE as pretty as it is. What I ended up doing was using the cut pieces and creating e-cut files to cut with my Silhouette. Luckily that worked, so I got a nice bunch of pieces to create my snowflake ornament.

So side folded my white card (4.25"w x 5.5"h). Used one of the negative pieces and sponged Distress "Broken China" to create an off the edge snowflake background. Used Broken China stain and a pointed nib to do the faux stitching around those snowflakes.

Added various glitters and embossing powders to the layers of the snowflake. Glued them together at the center then glued it to the card.

Added a piece of Tim's blue tinsel as a hanger. Stained some ribbon with various colors of blues, dried it and tied a bow.

Stamped the sentiment (Quietfire Design) using Versafine "Blue Lagoon" and clear embossing.

I'm content with the results. Click on image to enlarge. Enjoy

And it fits for these challenges:
Digi Stamps 4 Joy  #80 stitching
Frilly & Funky  something for an Xmas tree or table
4 Crafty Chicks  #168 snowflakes
CCEE Stampers  #1346 stitching
My Time to Craft  #243 Xmas Ornament as main feature
Pan Pastels UK  #46 handmade embellies

MC Nov/13 - Die Cut Waste - Xmas cards

So what do you do with a bunch of die cut waste...

At my last quilling session, one of my friends was die cutting these mini pine sprigs (Impression Obsession) for an upcoming class she was going to be teaching... She was gathering up all the waste and about to throw it in the garbage. I stopped her and asked if I could have them. BIG GRIN she said yes.

 

These are the cards I made using the waste. Still have a bit more that I can use, but thought I'd stop today at 4 cards.

Click on any card image to see more details and descriptions etc. Enjoy.

All the cards are using quotes from Quietfire Design

And they fit for these challenges:
TTCRD Challenge  #12-18 anything goes
ABC Xmas Challenge  w for warm winter wishes
Crafty Creations Challenge  #248 dies or punches
Fab n Funky  #193 Anything goes
Inky Impressions Challenge  #134 red & green
Lil Red Wagon  #211 use trim
Penny's Challenge  #153 add a sentiment
Sisterhood of Crafters  embossing
Crafts 4 Eternity  #150  Tic Tac Toe: stripes, sentiment, glitter; black, tearing, leaves; Xmas, stickers, red
Crafty Catz Weekly  #207  not square
JW Scrap Shack  #26 Anything goes
Sister Act Card Challenge  #33 Anything goes
Totally Paper Crafts  #193 CAS
Mark's Finest Papers  #186 Red Xmas
CAS-ual Fridays  #120 - see inspir image below

MC Nov/13 - Chickadee - Thank You

Was in a mood to make another simple card... I had another border die cut (Memory Box "Cosmo Border") from yesterday's project, so used it as a stencil.

Side folded my white card (4.25"w x 5.5"h), taped my border down and pressed heavily with a Distress sponge using "Mustard Seed", then used a bit of "Dried Marigold". Removed the border. Hand drew the faux stitching using a black pen.

Stamped the polka dots with the dried out eraser end of a pencil and Versafine "Habanero". Added little amber rhinestones between the dots and colored gel dots on some of the stenciled details.

Stamped the quote with Black Onyx and chickadee with Vintage Sepia, (both by Quietfire Design) . Continued the line for the bird into the design and off the card edge with a black pen. Colored the body with a white Prisma colored pencil.

Click on image to enlarge. Enjoy.

And it fits for these challenges:
Corrosive Challenges  #187  fur & feathers
Simply Create Too  #50 give thanks
JW Scrap Shack  #25 things with wings
Cute Card Thursday  #294 animal magic
Scrap Creations  thankful
TSG Clear Stamps  #233 thanks/thanksgiving
Squigglefly  #4513 polka dots
Oh La La Creations  #143 stitching
Lexi's Creations  #103 thanks/thanksgiving
Craft Your Passion  #188  add doodling
Craftin Desert Divas  #19 thanksgiving
Shelly's Images  Monthly Nov  Give Thanks
Cupcake Inspiration #236 see below

MC Nov/13 - Quill Pine Branches - Merry Xmas

Another quilled Xmas card and I thought I was only going to have 1 for our next show and share... I was experimenting with creating the pine branches and found that the easiest way to make them was with  no tools... just folding each pine needle where it will. I love making them in 2 colors and adding the glitter, makes them nice and festive. I enjoyed putting this card together. Love Dee's candle.

I side folded my white card (5"w x 7"h) layered a red Ruche cardstock leaving a 1/4" border all around.

Stamped the circle Xmas sentiment (Quietfire Design) with Versafine Black Onyx and clear embossed. Die cut with Spellbinders "Standard Circles Large" and adhered to card.

Die cut the candle (Dees's Distinctively) from white cardstock. Sponged a Distress dirty red on the body. Embossed using a narrow embossing folder of snowflakes, then sponged a bit more red.

For the wax drippings, I applied white Puff paint, and heat activated, but found it wasn' realistic enough, so smeared some Deco Art Snow Writer... now it was OK.

The flame was just sponged with color and the yellow section I filled in with a Viva Glitter Liner "Yellow Quartz". Adhered the candle elements.

Hit the quilled branches with a Versamark pad and embossed with Stamp n Bond, heat activated and then applied Distress "Star Dust" glitter. Adhered them to card.

Die cut the acorns (Elizabeth Craft Designs) from white cardstock. Sponged a Distress dirty brown all over the solid piece. on the openwork piece I applied Versafine Toffee and embossed with Midnight Gold Obsidian" embossing powder. Adhered the layers together and then onto the card adding a couple pieces 3 D foam tape.

Click on images to enlarge. Enjoy

And it fits for these challenges:
Crafty Cardmakers  #104 paper piecing
Paper Playtime  #23 sparkle
Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Challenge  Monthly Nov  Xmas

MC Nov/13 - OLW - Xmas Snowflakes

One Layer Wednesday says to make an Xmas card with no red or green...

Side folded my white card (4.25"w x 5.5"h)

I die cut the snowflake border piece (Memory Box "Gabriella Border") from white cardstock. Removed all the little negative pieces from the positive piece and put it back into the larger piece of cardstock I die cut it from. Put a piece of removable tape along the right edge and used a nice wet Versamark pad and pressed down in to all the little negative spaces. Clear embossed that. Removed the positive border, leaving the larger piece of cardstock still in place and pressed down with a sponge using Distress "Broken China", clear embossed that. Removed the larger piece of cardstock and put the positive border piece back over the embossing taping it down through it's center. Pressed down heavily with a sponge and "Faded Jeans". Wiped of the excess on the embossed surfaces. I really like the look of this...

Stamped the quote (Quietfire Design) using Versafine "Blue Lagoon" and clear embossed. PS I do beg to differ on the quote... if it falls on me it is definitely the wrong place. BIG GRIN.

Voila - finished.

Click on images to enlarge. Enjoy.

And it fits for these challenges:
One Layer Wednesday  #165 Xmas no red or green
My Time to Craft  #242 one layer or less... (not sure how you can have less than 1 layer...)
A Creative Romance  Winter Blues
The House That Stamps Built  #116 snow fun
Simon Says Stamp Challenge  CAS
Flourishes Challenge  #245 use the negative part of a die
Deep Ocean Challenge  #64 Winter

MC Nov/13 - Poinsettia Xmas Cards (Pink, Pink Marble & Quill Red)

I was itching to make some poinsettia cards, so pulled out Tim's Tattered Poinsettia die and got to work... Love all of them BIG GRIN

I'm using Dylusion sprays to color them, then various other techniques to enhance. You can read all about it and see more views by clicking on a card image. Enjoy

I'm also using various Quietfire Design Xmas stamps

And it fits for these challenges:
Christmas Stampin  #41 use felt or fabric (2nd card)
2 Sisters Challenge  #168 Xmas Sparkle (Last card)
One Stitch at a Time  #189 holidays
Pile it on Challenge  #45 show us your tools (Die cutting, Dry embossing, thermal embossing, scissors)
Inky Impressions  #133 Dies or punches
Sweet Stampin Challenge  Xmas is coming
Bearly-Mine Challenge  #111 anything goes
Little Scrap Pieces  Anything goes - Linky Party
Stamping Sensations  Monthly Nov Xmas
Crimbo Crackers  #54 Xmas Words
Loves Rubber Stamps  #77 anything goes
Brown Sugar Challenge  #67 Anything goes
CAS-ual Fridays  #119 dry or heat embossing
Sister Act Card Challenge  #32 anything goes
Through the Crafting Room  #5-11 Anything goes
Delightful Sketches  All that glitters (Last card)
Holly Jolly Christmas  red, green + gold or silver (1st card)
Hanna & Friends  #184  Glitter (last card)

MC Nov/13 - 4 Drawer Keepsake - In Creating

I came across a similar structure on Pinterest - but of course can't find it now... Sigh!! Anyway it was in the back of my mind lately and I really wanted to make one. So a couple days ago I started by making the drawers. Then I made the covers for each drawer, adhered the floor of the easel and then was stuck in which direction to go in...
Today I finally decided. I was in a sewing/vintage type mood and wanted to use my newest rubber stamp acquisitions the Ornate Leaves and the Black Lace both by Designs by Ryn (Canadian stamps).

I thought this would make a great gift for a special friend. Each of the drawers contain some of the elements I used on the card.

I'm also using a couple quote stamps from Quietfire Design

And to see more details and descriptions, just click on card image and enjoy.

It also fits for these challenges:
Craft Your Passion  #187 More than 1 fold
Inspiration Avenue  something to do with Grandma's attic (since I've only had 1 grandmother who didn't have an attic this is a bit tough...) But I would image there'd be lace and buttons and those kind of things..
Divas By Design  #110 use a digi (the mannequin is a digi and the leaf silhouettes prior stamping are digis)
Penny's Challenge  #152 lots of layers
CCEE Stampers  #1345 Ribbon & lace
Moving Along with the Times  Pearls, swirlie & girlie
Crafts 4 Eternity  #149 anything but a card
Frosted Designs  Create a gift or something that holds a gift
Stampin For the Weekend  Autumn or fall colors
Crazy 4 Challenges  #211 put a frame on it (the frame is the structure around the drawers...)
Aud Sentiment  #93  feminine
Love to Scrap Challenge  #17 anything goes

DT Nov/13 - Xmas Balls - Joy

My turn again on the Quietfire Creations blog and I created some Xmas balls using Spellbinders circle dies. Real easy... Also using my newest acquisition - Pan Pastels Metallic colors. Love them

Anyway to see more details and descriptions etc, just click on either image or click here to go to my web post.

Enjoy.

And if fits for these challenges:
Card Mania Challenge  #33 anything goes
Incy Wincy Designs  #221  ribbon, twine or fibers
Paper Take Weekly  Xmas card
Fab n Funky  #192 use Xmas colors
Trimmie's Craft Challenge  #232 Xmas
Alphabet Challenge  T for twine
Totally Papercrafts  #192 Use glitter
Fresh Brewed Challenge  Monthly Nov. Snow or Xmas
Crafty Calender Challenge  Monthly Nov Xmas

MC Nov/13 - Autumn Leaves - Thanks

This will probably be the last autumn inspired card for this year... We've had another dump of snow, looks like a good 4 or 5 inches... Winter is here!!!

So I side folded my white card (4.25"w x 5.5"h) and ran it through my machine with the Cuttlebug "Thanks" embossing folder. Sponged Distress "Scattered Straw", "Wild Honey" & "Vintage Photo" all over, then used a sanding block to remove color from the high points.

Drew in lines with a brown Zig Writer to mimic my quilt blocks, pierced my sewing holes and hand sewed a cross hatch stitch on each block using various colors of thick thread.

Die cut the Tattered Leaves (Tim's) from white cardstock. Used the same sponges from above to color the leaves, then ran through my machine with the Cuttlebug "Musical Flourishes" embossing folder. Hit it with a bit more color and sanded the high points, then swiped my Emboss it Dauber lightly over the leaves, sprinkled with Queen's Gold embossing powder and flicked off excess, then heat activated. Used the brown marker to outline the leaves and adhered them to card.

Stamped the "Thanks" (Quietfire Design) with Versafine Black Onyx and clear embossed. Sponged the edges with the Straw and adhered to card.

Final touch added a gold oak leaf brad to the cluster of leaves.

Click on image to enlarge. Enjoy

and it fits for these challenges:
Oozak Blog  #25 Thanks
Squigglefly  #4313 thankful for you
There She Goes Clear Stamps  #231 Leaves
Cuttlebug Mania  Autumn
Frilly n Funky  Thanksgiving
Wags N Whiskers  #116 Fall Colors
My Time to Craft  #241 quilt bkgr'd
Opus Gluei  #169  Thank You
Pan Pastel UK  #44 anything goes
Penny Black At All Sorts  Monthly Nov anything goes
Card Makin Mamas  #76 Thankful
Inspire me Fridays  #127 anything goes
Cupcake Inspiration  #235 see pic below

MC Nov/13 - Dreidel - Happy Chanukah

And a couple more cards bite the dust... BIG GRIN

I used to love playing with spinners and dreidels when I was a youngster... so when Suzanne from Quietfire Design, came out with a dreidel stamp, had to use it.

I side folded my 5.5"w x 4.25"h white card. Stamped the individual dreidel image repeatedly to create the border using Veresafine "Black Onyx" and clear embossing. Sponged the edges with Distress "Scattered Straw", "Wild Honey" and "vintage Photo" till I got an orangey tone I liked. Drew in a border line with a Zig Writer. Used a frame stencil I had laying on my desk to sponge the inner rectangle with the same yellow & orange. Dried it and stamped the sentiment words with "Toffee" and embossed with "Queen's Gold". Used a .1 liner pen to shadow the letters.

Scanned the dreidel stamped image and printed it out as a larger version. I then went over the lines with the bullet tip of my Zig Writer. Filled in the areas one at a time with a Quickie Glue Pen and sprinkled with Glitter. First the red Glitter Ritz micro fine glitter, then the brown Distress glitter, then the white sparkly (unknown brand). Cut out the shape and adhered it to my card.

I'm pleased with it. Click on image to enlarge. Enjoy

And it fits for these challenges:
City Crafter  #183 game pieces
One Layer Wednesday  #164  something inspired by a game
Mark's Finest Papers  #184 orange & brown

MC Nov/13 - Costco Baskets - Xmas cards

I got the Costco catalogue/flyers in the mail yesterday and was looking through the gift baskets... was about to throw it away and said they're really wonderful images... So cut them out and created these cards. Can't get simpler than this. BIG GRIN

Cards are white cardstock 4.25" x 5.5" either portrait or landscape mode. All of them use an Xmas stamp quote or sentiment from Quietfire Design

This 1st card uses a Cuttlebug Xmas Ornament embossing folder. Costco image adhered to card. Quote stamped on a separate piece of cardstock using Versafine Black Onyx, clear embossing and sponging a bit of Distress blues from a dirty sponge. Adhered to card and added the crosses with Tim's tiny attacher.


 For the 2nd card I used a Cuttlebug Holly Sprig embossing folder and again swiped dirty sponges across the high points in red and green. Stamped the sentiment with the black on white cardstock, sponged the edges with the red and adhered to card. added dots of Dimensional red paint.

 For the 3rd card I kept it even simpler and just adhered the image. Stamped the quote on the cardstock, sponged the edges with the red and adhered to card. Added gel dots and stitch lines of Dimensional red paint.

And for the final card adhered the images and stamped the quote directly on to the card with the black. clear embossed.

Click on any image to enlarge. Enjoy.

and it fits for these challenges:
Incy Wincy Designs  #220 red & white
Oh La La Creations  #142  food or drink
Southern Girls Challenge  #81 something sweet
Christmas Stampin  #40  Treats from the kitchen
Tuesday Throwdown  #171 put a witch or candy on it
Crafts 4 Eternity  Sketch (see below)

MC Nov/13 - Quill Snowflakes - Let it Snow

Another productive quilling session... I used the drop out piece from the Oval Scenic cards as a mask. Added glitter and rhinestones to the snowflakes and a sparkly blue ribbon at the bottom.

I'm using a couple quote stamps from Quietfire Design

Click on card image to see more details and descriptions. Enjoy

And it fits for these challenges:
Reasonable Ribbons  #83 Xmas + ribbon
Crazy Challenge  #157 use 3 things start with the letter "B" (blue, bling, button, background)
The Pink Elephant  #223 distress or paper tearing
Cute Card Thursday  #293 sparkles
Fussy n Fancy  #101 Black & Blue (2nd entry)
Creative Craft Challenge  #22 words
Christmas Cards All Year Round  Monthly Nov winter wonderland
The Crafting Cafe  Monthly Nov  winter blues

MC Nov/13 - Snowman - Unassembled

You know I really dislike winter... and we've started ours here in Calgary. The only good thing is we had a reprieve and it came about 6 weeks later than usual...

But making faux snowmen - that I can handle. BIG GRIN.

I started by creating a rectangle stencil, lay on top of my card (side folded 4.25"w x 5.5"h) and inked the open area with a Versamark pad, then sponged Pan Pastels Metallics in a gold & bronze. Love these new colors, they're glorious...

Inked up a small snowflake stamp (Quietfire Design) with the Versamark pad and embossed with Holographic embossing powder. (they're hard to see but are all over the card.

Stamped the quote (Quietfire Design) with Versafine "Black Onyx" and clear embossed.

Created my snowman. Die cut 3 sizes of circles (Spellbinders) adhered them together and smeared Deco Art "Snow Writer" all over them. Set aside to dry. Cut a hat and carrot nose, twig arms using Tim's Branch die, added these miniscule buttons, black green & blue (got them at the last Stitching show), added a scarf (Tim's linen ribbon) and black rhinestone eyes. Voila all done and I didn't even get wet...

And it fits for these challenges:
Totally Papercrafts  #191  buttons
Moving Along with the Times  No DP

MC Nov/13 - Oval Scenic - Xmas cards

Another day I was on a roll with making cards, I think I beat last week's number - 10 today...

I love using masks and stencils to create scenic windows. These I made using a Spellbinder's large oval die from a piece of cardstock, lay over my card front (4.25" x 5.5"), spattered with Frisket, set aside to dry, Added a punched out circle for the moon, then sponged with Distress "Faded Jeans" & "Stormy Sky". Removed the circle and sponged a bit more blue across the moon, then removed the Frisket to reveal the snowflakes.

With oval stencil still in place, stamped my scene. On the 1st card using Memory Box "Deer in Field" stamp with Versafine "Black Onyx". On the 2nd card using Art Impressions "Covered Bridge". I colored the bridge with some Distress markers.

Removed the stencil, stamped the larger pine trees (Stampscapes "Nature Sheet #4") with the black. Also stamped the quote (Quietfire Design) or part of the quote with the black and clear embossed the word "Tidings" only.

On the inside of the 2nd card, stamped the same scenic stamp and the rest of the quote.

As a final touch added snow on the pines, roof & path using a Deco Art "Snow Writer"

Click on any image to enlarge. Enjoy

And it fits for these challenges:
ABC Christmas Challenge  V for vixen - add a reindeer
Trimmie's Challenge  #231 for a guy
Fussy n Fancy  #101 Black & Blue
2 Sisters Challenge  #168  Xmas with no red or green
Crazy 4 Challenges  #210 black & white + one color

MC Oct/13 - Owl - Haunted

Okay, I broke down and made another Halloween card...

I was rummaging/tidying up in one of my drawers and came upon this paper towel. Normally when I wipe up paints and stuff, I keep the paper towels for backgrounds and they just get shoved wherever... That's what this one was. I thought it would be perfect for a Halloween card... So I split the layers adhered it to cardstock using Saran wrap and an iron and added some glue where it didn't quite stick. Trimmed it down and started adding my elements.

My main card base is side folded (5"w x 7"h) purple cardstock. Stamped the owl and birds in tree images (Local King Rubber "What a Hoot") with versafine black Onyx and clear embossed only the owl image.

Electronically cut the word haunted (Quietfire Design - Silhouette Online Store) from white cardstock and while still on the mat, colored with Distress pads - "Seedless Preserves" for the top layer and "Black Soot" for the shadow layer. When adhered to card, I added Glossy Accents to the top layer.

In another drawer found these two little pieces of Halloween ribbon and adhered them to the corners. Added purple brads. Also found the purple netting... which I attached using Tim's tiny attacher. Adhered this layer to my main card.

I really like the look of this card. Click on image to enlarge. Enjoy

And it fits for these challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Challenge  Anything goes
Divas By Design  #109 use some orange
Delightfull Sketches  winged things
Crafts for Eternity  #147 Halloween
Stampin 4 the Weekend  Spooky
2 Sisters Challenge  #167 cute and spooky
Totally Gorjuss  #207 sppoky
One Stitch at a Time  #187 Boo
Crafty Cardmakers   #103 Monochrome Purple
Craft Your Passion  #186 Halloween
Top Tip Tuesday  #113 pick a season (Autumn)
Crafty Creations   #246 make something yourself (background, word art)
Fab N Funky  #191 Halloween
Lil Red Wagon  #209 Halloween
Penny's Challenges  #151 add black or bling (there's both)
Alphabet Challenge  S for scary
Crazy 4 Challenge  #209 your favorite stamp (they're all my favorite stamp at one time or another... but I really love that owl - it's got such character)
Opus Gluei  #168 for a guy
Craftin Desert Divas  #18 Anything goes

MC Oct/13 - Quill Snowflakes - Blackletter

I took a refresher class in Blackletter with Renate Worthington yesterday - she's such a great teacher. Love her lettering. So figured what better than to practice and make a card... Then I found this quote that was just perfect for my mood today... It hasn't stopped snowing since this morning and we've accumulated a few inches here in Calgary, the first of the season, so can't really complain.

Then I was in a mood to do some quilled snowflakes. I don't think I've ever quilled a snowflake before... anyway love everything on this card. BIG GRIN

You can see more details and descriptions by clicking on card image. Enjoy.

And it fits for these challenges:
Cuttlebug Mania  Black & White
Digi Stamps 4 Joy  #78 embossing (2nd entry)
Pan Pastels UK  #43 shades of grey
Pile it On challenge  #43 use 2 or more different embellies (facetted jewel, rhinestones, quilled elements)