Glowing Lights At Christmas!

I recently went on a five-day crafting retreat with my group of 10 to 12 crafty lady friends. There were only nine of us attending this time, which is the smallest number we've ever been in the last seven years we've been going and sometimes twice a year, due to different health issues from colds to surgery recovery for two of our friends. We really missed the four ladies who planned to attend, but were unable to as time drew closer to departure.  The bulk of us are cardmakers, but we have one lady who was making fabric bags, zippered pouches, and starting a quilt and another was making a paper-crafting Halloween mini album for a niece.

I was making a Christmas card for Splitcoaststamper (SCS) challenges, plus four alternative Christmas kit cards.  SCS challenges can be the current week's challenge and/or a make-up challenge from several months old to several years old as challenges can be entered at any time you want. I started a personal goal for challenge completions of all the different challenge categories available since 2017 by making a WORD table list of all these different SCS challenges. Eventually, I am trying to catch up by participating in all them up to the most current week of challenges. Most challenges on Splitcoaststampers have a new challenge each week. There is no limit to the number of different challenges that a person can enter with one card, though you may not enter the same challenge category with the same card more than once.  For instance, if I enter the Color Challenge, I can enter only one week's Color challenge, but I may enter the Ways to Use It Challenges, the Sketch Challenges, the Teapot Challenge, etc. as long as I only enter one week's challenge date for each.  

Each week, I check out all challenges left that I have not yet entered from my list and try to adjust my card design so as many will fit as is allowed. I am usually able to enter 10 to 15 challenges each week. It will be the higher number if it is a Christmas card as that opens up at least two additional challenge categories involving the Christmas theme. Check out my Christmas card finished this week below. I was able to fit 15 challenges, because of the two Christmas card challenges available.

Ingredients: Stampin' Up products: Cardstock--Evening Evergreen, Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White. Papers--Distressed Gold, Glow Lights dsp (strip). Stamps--Brightest Glow (sentiment). Dies--Twinkling Lights (tree), Decorated Pine (stars). Basic Rhinestones. Other: MFT--Photo Corner Die-namics. Copic Marker (gem coloring). Chatterbox verse (inside). Size--4-3/4" x 6".

The Wonders & Blessings of Christmas! (Joy of Sharing Kit Alternatives #1 & #2)

I purchased this Joy of Sharing Christmas kit back in December 2020, plus a refill kit several months later, but I never got around to doing anything with it. My Mom sent me a Christmas card last year made from this kit...a bit of an alternative design...and it was so pretty. It gave me incentive to get the kit out and take it with me on my 5-day craft retreat in early September.

The kit + refill included (16) 5"x7" pre-folded Mossy Meadow cardbases with the front and back both green. I decided to cut them in half and mount them to white cardbases, now making it possible to have 32 cardbases with green fronts...way too many probably! I finished four different cards at my retreat using the kit pieces. Because the foil rectangular pinecone die-cut frame, the die-cut poinsettias and the die-cut pinecones were pretty much all the same, each card, though different, didn't really look that different; therefore, after working with the kit almost all of one day, I got a bit tired of it and moved on to other things.

 
For the first two cards made, I used a different sentiment stamp than the one provided in the kit, because I wanted my sentiment to have a vertical placement (the kit stamp was horizontal). This stamp was from the 2020 Dove of Hope stamp set. I also decided I would ink distress ALL edges of cardstock and die-cut pieces to give my card a more vintage and aged look.

Card #1...
My first card has a vertical orientation, and I used two of the green cardbases provided. I adhered one full 5"x7" Mossy Meadow panel to a white cardbase totally covering the white and making it now appear as a green base. I cut another Mossy Meadow panel to a smaller mat layer and popped it up off the green base leaving a small border showing around the bottom layer. I then adhered the gold metallic framing to this top layer. Next, I cut and added a red petite dotted dsp panel to host the stamped sentiment label.  I added layers of poinsettia die-cuts to the top right and lower left of the gold metallic frame, leaving the frame pinecones exposed on the other corners. I dressed up the center of the poinsettia with gold metallic gems.  Take a peek at my Alternative Card #1 using a different sentiment than provided by the kit...Dove of Hope stamp set:

Card #2...
My second card has a horizontal orientation. I used one green 5"x7" panel to form my cardbase as in Card #1. I cut an Early Espresso brown mat layer for this card instead of green as in the first card. I used the red double fishtail flag strip placed horizontally under my vertically stamped sentiment label. I added poinsettia die-cuts on the top left and bottom right, leaving the gold metallic pinecone of the frame showing on the opposite corners. Once again, I added gold metallic gems to the centers of the poinsettia. Take a peek at my Alternative Card #2 using the same sentiment as Card #1 from another stamp set...Dove of Hope:

Ingredients: Stampin' Up products-- Cardstock: Card #1/#2--Mossy Meadow, Real Red; Card #2--Early Espresso. Joy of Sharing Card kit pieces (2020-21 AC). Stamps: Dove of Hope (2020 Aug-Dec Mini). Other (Card #1/ #2)--Jolee's All That Bling: Golden Circle Wedding Bling. Colorbox Cat Eyes: Chestnut Road (ink distressing). Chatterbox inside verse. Size: 5" x 7".  Card #1 only: Patterned Paper: October Afternoon/ Holiday Style PP743 dsp (tiny red dots).

Candy Cane Wishes for Christmas!

 I still have very few Christmas cards ready for Christmas giving this year. It is starting to weigh heavily on me that I'm so far behind; therefore, my next card must be a Christmas card for my stash! I just received my Sweet Candy Cane stamps/dies and the Christmas Banner stamps/ dies that I ordered from the current Stampin' Up mini catalog so I'm eager to try them out. 

The Sweetest Christmas dsp in that same catalog has a lot of wonderful patterns and strips. I decided on a criss-cross background effect by using a striped diagonal paper pattern overlaid with the diagonal panel die-cut. I used all three colors in the striped paper on my card front stamping and die-cuts: Real Red, Garden Green, and Pool Party, plus I added a bit of aqua glitter paper to add some sparkle and bling! 

As most candy canes come in individually wrapped, clear cellophane wrappers, I decided to cover my Real Red, ink-stamped canes with Scotch clear packing tape to resemble these cellophane wrappers. This is an idea we used in a class card designed by Dar Peterson that I borrowed. I am pretty happy with the way my card looked upon completion...take a peak below at the finished card:

Ingredients: Stampin' Up-- Cardstock: Basic White, Garden Green, Pool Party. DSP: Sweetest Christmas. Stamps/Dies (J-D 2022 Mini): Sweet Candy Canes/ Candy Cane dies; Christmas Banner dies (pine boughs). Ink: Real Red. Punch: 1-1/4" Circle. Ribbon: 3/8" Pool Party Sheer. Gems: Elegant Faceted Gems. Other-- Paper: DCWV 6"x6" Glitter Pastels Mat Stack. Spellbinders Dies: Splendid Circles. Scotch 2" Clear Packing Tape.

Happy Day!

 I have quite a number of birthdays in August between family and friends.  I'm feeling behind already, so I got my thinking cap on and decided to get serious!  With some help from Splitcoaststamper challenges, I came up with a vintage design that I'm really pleased with! It will be for one of my husband's sisters, who moved to Florida in this last year to be closer to her oldest daughter. I'd better get it finished and off in the mail as she lives about as far from Washington state as she could be...kitty-corner across the U.S.!

I found this wonderful vintage paper in my paper stash from Michael's Craft Stores, "Recollections Signature Vintage Country Paper Stack. It got my vintage mojo going full speed ahead, which made me really excited to get started!  Vintage is one of my favorite card styles, yet I haven't made many cards in this style during the past several years.

I used five patterns from the paper pack that I cut into varying widths and distressed inked the edges before horizontally layering them one after the other, on  a pre-sized cardstock guide.  I also used one of the patterned tags provided in the paper stack as my sentiment rectangle centerpiece. I stamped my birthday sentiment onto it using my Misti stamp positioner, and I adhered the finished tag onto a black lattice frame for added interest.  I fussy cut several identical flowers from several of the tags and layered and distressed their edges to provide additional depth, finishing off with a sparkly gem. My last addition was to add a black-striped sheer ribbon horizontally with a two-loop side bow.  Take a look at my finished card. I'm pretty pleased with its outcome.

Ingredients: SU Cardstocks--Basic Black, Gold Foil. Patterned paper--Recollections Signature Stack--Vintage Country (12x12). SU Stamps--Itty Bitty Birthdays. Spellbinders dies--Lattice Rectangles. Ink--Memento Tuxedo Black. Colorbox--Chestnut Roan ink distressing. Offray--3/8" sheer black stripe ribbon. Jolee's Boutique--Black Circle Bling Gems. Chatterbox verse. Size--4-3/4" x 6."

Birthday Love!

My Mom's 97th birthday is right around the corner, and I needed to get a card finished and off in the mail very soon. I got busy checking out Splitcoaststamper challenges to see what I might come up with.  I usually start with the Sketch Challenge, the  Inspiration Challenge, or the Featured Stamper Challenge and move on to others from there.  I play a little Challenge Catch-up game with myself, trying to incorporate as many challenges as possible in my card from the design, to the theme, or the color scheme. This week I found 12 challenges I could enter for this card!

From the Inspiration Challenge, I decided on a monochromatic card mostly in blue shades from light to dark. I'm using a ribbon bow, an idea from the Featured Stamper Challenge. Other challenges influenced my card design as well.

I remembered the Boho Indigo Card Kit that came out in the Stampin' Up 2020-21 Annual Catalog that I purchased and that I had never gotten around to using it to make any cards.  I really can't tell you why that is, because the 6x6 paper pad is full of gorgeous double-sided patterns in many shades of blue, including white. It also includes some ivory-white pre-embossed papers as well. I certainly planned to use it now for Mom's card, plus I added some Metallic Shimmer White, Balmy Blue, and Night of Navy cardstock layers, in addition to some Dotted Swiss vellum. Take a peek below at the finished card inside and out:

Ingredients: Papers: Cardstock--SU-Night of Navy, Balmy Blue, Basic White (inside);  Bubbley White Metallic Shimmer (Amazon); Paper Pizzaz Vellum Dots; SU Boho Indigo 6x6 dsp. Stamps: SU-Boho Indigo Kit stamps. Dies: MFT-Stitched Circle STAX; Spellbinders-Pinking Circles LG. Punch: Martha Stewart--Trio of Butterflies, SU Pearls, Ribbon-3/8" Navy w/White Stitch (stash). White Sequins-Pink Posh (Copic colored navy). Wink of Stella-Clear (butterflies). Chatterbox verse (inside). Size--4-3/4" x 6."

A Bohemian Chic Paper Weave!

 About four times a year, Splitcoaststampers hosts a Virtual Stamp Night challenge, which starts a month earlier than the official challenge date with three mini challenges.  When the official event happens, it starts on a Friday evening with four challenges, each on the hour, starting at 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The second day starts at 1:00 p.m. and goes under 11:00 p.m., also with a challenge each hour.  My first goal was to at least get the mini challenge completed and at least six the next two days.  I was being realistic that I'd probably not get all challenges done in the time limit allotted for uploading the the gallery.  My fondest wish is that someday, maybe I'll actually complete all challenge and get them uploaded on time!

Well, this year, so far, I'm really random.  I may finish the minis, but I'm diving right into one of the later challenges, which I didn't really see myself completing, because I thought the challenge would be difficult to design a card for. But while browsing a few of the possible inspiration photos, I ran across one that really sparked my interest and reminded me of a collection of papers I recently bought, which motivated me to get started.  I also check for other challenges that might help me in my design, but I will have to add them later because of the short timeline to make and upload cards!

Take a peak at my completed card, which uses the bedroom color scheme and floral idea found in the paper:

Ingredients: Stampin' Up: Cardstocks--Crumb Cake, Calypso Coral, Basic White, Gold Foil. Patterned Paper--Symbols of Fortune DSP. Stamps-- Here's A Card (sentiment). Ink--Soft Succulent. Embellishments--Brushed Butterflies. Technique--Layered Strip Weaving. Other: Copics--Butterfly colors...R09 (orange), G29 (green), Y38 (Golden Yellow). Chatterbox inside verse. Size--4-3/4" x 6."

Being A Dad is Whiskey Business

 I went to a card party a few months ago, and my Stampin' Up demonstrator duo (Daralee Peterson and Luci Kirschbaum) had a card design using the new "Whiskey Business" stamp set.  I loved their card design idea, but decided to enlarge it and tweak it here and there to make it more mine.  

I gave it a new, enlarged and ink-distressed white card base, a new, ink-distressed punch size panel to host my changed sentiment, re-positioned brads, plus a pale blue decanter, glass, and ice shaded with Copic Markers.  I also used Copics to color my whiskey and highball drink, getting better shading, blending, and highlights than could be achieved with the water-base markers provided.  My finished card, inside and out, can be seen below:

Ingredients: Stampin' Up: Cardstock--Basic White, Early Espresso. Patterned dsp--In Good Taste (retired). Stamp--Whiskey Business. Dies--Stitched Recentangles. Inks--Mango Melody, Daffodil Delight, Cajun Craze; Memento--Tuxedo Black; Versamark. Punch--Lovely Labels (sentiment label). Embossing Powder--White. Round Brads (colored with Cajun Craze Dark Blender). Other--Copic markers. Brilliance Gingerbread ink (edge distressing). Chatterbox verse. Size: 4-5/8" x 5-7/8".

Easter's Symbol of Salvation!

Moving on to my second Easter card that I found in my "TO DO" box: a previously finished card from a 2018 class card. When I got home from class, I separated the layers with my trusty spatula (OLD Cricut spatula), because I knew I wanted to elaborate on the card when I had time and I didn't want the glue tape to set. The pieces ended up stashed in my "Need to Finish...TO DO Stash" box and promptly forgotten! The original card's design credit goes to Dar Peterson, one of my two SU demonstrator duos.

      

I got out all the pieces and my photo of the original to see if I could remember what I wanted to do different. My changes do not really change the original design look too much, but adds a bit more sparkle and elegance, I think, with more Gold Foil added. I enlarged the card to a 4-3/4" x 6" card from an A2 by making a larger new white card base, adjusting the Blackberry Bliss larger (I used the original for an inside card layer), and cut and inserted a Gold Foil layer before adding the top white embossed card front layer. I also added a Gold Foil scalloped oval below the multi-color stitched dsp layer.

I was really please with the foil additions as it dressed up this lovely card even a bit more by adding more eye-catching metallic sparkle that coordinates with the gold filigree cross.  Now, here's the rub!  I forgot to take a photo of my remodel before popping it in the post for mailing! 

All I got to say is...woe is me, sigh! I bid you to use your imagination to envision how those changes looked as this is a photo of the original design! Take a peek below at it and my inside design and stamped verse:

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up: Cardstock--Blackberry Bliss, Basic White, Gold Foil. Pattern--Painted with Love Specialty dsp (2018 Occasions).  Stamps--You're Inspiring (sentiment); Easter Promise (inside verse). Dies--Cross of Hope Framelits (2018 Occasions/ 2018-19 AC); Stitched Shapes Dies (oval). Petal Burst EF (2018 AC). Other: Brilliance Chalk ink--Gingerbread. Ribbon scrap.

Little Lamb is Coming for Easter!

Easter is coming, and its time to get busy to allow for mailing.  I checked my "Need to Finish...TO DO Stash" to see if any Easter cards lurked that needed finishing.  I found a lamb image already colored and some paper pieces for possible finishing, but I wanted my card a bit bigger than the original card, so I decided to remodel the original design by Liz Thayer.

I kept the cardbase and first layer the same colors but changed the card face from a vanilla to a very soft yellow that I found in my 12x12-inch paper stash.  It was probably one I picked up from either Joanns or Michaels years ago.  There was a little Mint Macaron banner pre-cut, but I decided I wanted it longer.  I wanted to add some ribbon, and found a pretty Offray pink with white dots sheer ribbon that I thought would go nicely.

Take a look below at the finished card inside and out.  That little lamb is just darn cute!

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up:  Cardstock--Blushing Bride, Mint Macaron, Crumb Cake. Stamp--Easter Lamb for Baby (2016 Occasions).  Dies--Layering Ovals. Ink--Early Espresso, Cajun Craze, Memento Tuxedo Black. Banner Triple punch. Enamel Dot--It's My Party. Other--Soft Yellow Cardstock (stash, Dot paper (stash), Copic markers, Sergeant Colored Pencils, Offray pink-dot sheer ribbon, Uniball Signo White gel pen.

Bringing Comfort in Loss

One of my Splitcoaststamper friends recently lost her mother, and I wanted to send her a sympathy card in the hope of bringing her comfort, knowing that her friends are thinking about her and sending lots of prayers.

I had a challenge I needed to complete that required a clean and simple style card, using only a small percentage of the front card surface.  Now, this is really a challenge for me since clean and simple is definitely not my style, though I often like cards others have done that have this style.  I would certainly agree that this style lends itself well to sympathy cards; therefore, I thought I'd give it a go.

I'm actually pretty happy with my finished card, and I hope my friend will find it brings that comfort and peace I'm hoping for her.  I do have to admit, I just had to add a very petite mat layer border provided by the card base and in a color pulled from the ink-blended, masked circle behind the bird. Take a peek at the finished card below, both inside and out:

Ingredients:  SU Melon Mambo cs, White Metallic Shimmer cs (Amazon). SU stamps: Best Bird (2016-2018). SU dies: Flourish Thinlits (2016-2018/ trimmed). SU Inks: Daffodil Yellow, Calypso Coral, Melon Mambo. Melon Mambo flicked splatters. SU punch: Curvy Corner Trio (2015-2017inside). SU sequins: Iridescent Assortment. SU: Blending Brushes. Wink of Stella/ Clear. Chatterbox sentiment/ verse. Size: 4-1/2 x 6 inches.

Welcome to the World, Evie!

 I recently order and received SU's Sunshine & Rainbows dsp pack. I LOVE this paper, and it immediately gave me a jump-start to make a long overdue "Welcome to the World" card for my third granddaughter, Evie, who was born in November 2019.  Her birth started a four-month long whirlwind of events that kept me away from crafting.  It started with her early arrival by C-section and a 10-day NICU stay; next, my sister's cancer surgery and needed care; then a four-generation, long-planned vacation; and finally COVID!  With the start of Covid, I entered a year-long cardmaking slump...I call it the great Covid card-block! 

 
Long story short, I just made good on my promise to make Evie's welcome to the world card with a unicorn theme.  Unicorns were an absolute must for its theme!  Evie had an IV line in the NICU unit, but because her veins were too small, it was attached through a vein in her head. It stuck up with a gauze prop that made it look very much like a unicorn horn. Ever since, she has been known as our little unicorn baby. This mythical creature has very much made its presence known in room decorations, clothing, bedding, toys, etc. So, naturally, her welcome to the world needed to have a unicorn theme!

I'd been wanting to try a Card-in-a-Box for several years. For some reason this rainbow paper and my unicorn idea just shouted out Card-in-a-Box and with the help of my Splitcoaststamper challenge research, it solidified into this card below, which I'm sure Evie will enjoy and Mom will put it into her Grandma keepsake box for future enjoyment:

Ingredients:  SU Papers: Cardstock--Island Indigo, Tempting Turquoise, Basic White, White Glimmer (unicorn). SU Patterned Dsp--Rainbows & Sunshine (rainbows, clouds; 2022 SAB). SU stamp: Welcome Easter (sentiment). Cottage Cutz die: Sweet Unicorns, Expressions--Baby/ Girl. Lawn Fawn die: Grassy Hillside Borders. SU dies--Brilliant Rainbow (clouds). Punches: 2-3/8" Circle, 2" Circle, 1-1/2" Circle. SU Ink: Island Indigo. SU Embossing Powder: Clear. ClipArt: Dandelionery (Etsy)--#182-Unicorn Rainbow (rainbow--Copic re-color). Paper Pumpkin "So Cool" sun sticker (Copic re-color). Acrylic Window strips (stand-up strips for pop-ups). Copic markers. Rainbow Duct Tape. Glimmer scraps. Size: 4-3/4 x 6 inches.

It's the BIG 50!

During March, we have several birthdays to celebrate.  One of special significance is to mark my oldest son's half-century birthday...the BIG FIVE-O!  Yes, his 50th birthday.  His fiancé, oldest sister, and I got together to make a day-long adventure out of preparing for the BIG party.  We shopped for many, many balloons...rubber ones in black, metallic gold, white, and clear confetti and Mylar ones in black & brightly colored splatters with CELEBRATE and candles featured, gold 5-0 numbers, plus metallic stars in black, gold, and white!  We bought party supplies for the cake and eating, and LOTS of food.  On the menu was BBQ'd pulled pork sandwiches, coleslaw, homemade baked beans, pasta salad, and beverages!  It was a wonderful day full of fun and laughter and the weather even cooperated with a sunny, balmy 53 degrees.  We were able to play outside with a little help from two patio heaters and some warm sweaters!

To help celebrate this noteworthy halfway mark, I needed a card.  I have long contemplated a woodgrain card using some SU companion papers that I bought back in 2017, Wood Textures. Somehow, I just have never got around to opening the package and making the wonderful masculine patterns into a card. This was the time and the event to make good on this card idea that has been lurking in the recesses of my mind for over five years!  Take a peek below at the completed results both inside and out.  I think David will be thrilled with its final outcome!

Ingredients-- Papers: Cardstock--SU-Basic Black, Copper Foil. Kraft-paper bag recycled. Patterned Paper--SU-Wood Textures (2017-2019). SU Stamps--Picture Perfect Birthday. SU Dies--Seasonal Layers (Scrap stash copper leaves--smaller modified from larger). SU-Embossing Powder/ Black. Colorbox-Chestnut Roan (Ink Distress-Edges). Fold--Front Flap Overlay Fold.  Size--4-3/4 x 6-inches.

February Birthday Happiness!

 I have another friend and cardmaking buddy whose birthday is in mid-February, so yet another birthday card is needed.  I was in the mood for flowers, so I thought I'd look for a Splitcoaststamper Inspiration Challenge to get me started.

While in my E - F stamp set boxes back in January, I ran across a wonderful flower stamp set, Field Flowers, that I had used for its flourish in the past but not the flower.  I pulled it just in case I found that I could use it in the near future and here was my chance.  After finding the SCS Inspiration Challenge, I was delighted to know that this stamp set would work, but I would be able to add other challenges if I added butterflies and glitter as well.  Take a look at the finished card inside and out below:

Ingredients: SU Cardstock--Sahara Sand; Retired: Always Artichoke, Lucky Limeaide, Tempting Turquoise. Stamps (retired)--Field Flowers, Elements of Style. Dies--Sizzlits Embosslit/ Beautiful Wings. Inks--Sahara Sand (over-the-edge stamping/ distressing), Old Olive (distress L. Limeaide cs), Early Espresso (distress T. Turquoise).  SU White Embossing Powder.  SU Dazzling Diamonds glitter. 3/8" Stitched Satin Ribbon--Gumball Green. Punch (retired)--Scallop Trim Border.

Birthday Wishes for a Friend!

I still had some more papers and elements from the Made to Bloom card kit that needed using.  I put my thinking cap on to design another alternative design of my own using the green patterned paper provided. 

 
Since I needed a birthday card for a friend I decided this would be the theme.  I added a Blackberry Bliss card base and a gold foil mat layer beneath the green pattern.  I used the gold foil edged scallop banner and applied the flowers similar to the card design provided, but with added layering and sparkly center gems.  I fussy-cut and inked-edge distressed the flowers, layered them, dressed them up with acrylic glitter glaze centers and a Goosebump Gem colored to simulate Blackberry Bliss with Copic markers.  At the base of the scalloped banner, I  stamped the "Birthday Wishes" sentiment onto a scalloped die cut matted with a larger gold foil scalloped die-cut to change the finishing edge of the banner and its look.

Take a look at my friend's finished birthday card, inside and out...I think she will enjoy it!  It is a good way to keep in touch as we have not been able to socialize since Covid started.

Ingredients:  Cardstock--Blackberry Bliss, Gold Foil. Kit--Made to Bloom Kit (2019 Occ.). Stamps--Fancy Phrases. Dies--SU Layering Oval Framelits. Sargent Acrylic Glitter Glaze. Queen & Co.--Twinkle Goosebump Gems (Copic colored). ColorBox Chestnut Roan Ink Edge Distressing. EK punch--Victorian Corner. Chatterbox computer verse. Size: 4-3/4x6-inches.

Love of Chocolate & Friends

I needed a little friendship appreciation card for someone who is always helpful, kind, and makes my life easier whenever she can!  I always have it in the back of my mind to use old stuff in my stash whenever I can probably because of the Splitcoaststampers' Use It Challenge, which requires just that...bring out the dusty old stuff and use it!   Read on to find out why that's just what I did for this card.

My friend and I have a love of chocolate, plus we are both involved in Stampin' Up products and cardmaking.  Thinking about chocolate, brought to mind a stamp set from way back when...2011 as it turns out!  Pulling out these old stamps led to using other old and retired items as well!  Take a peek below at the inside and outside of the finished already mailed and on its way!

Ingredients:  SU Cardstock--Crumb Cake, Chocolate Chip & Pretty in Pink (retired).  Ink: Early Espresso, Soft Suede (ink distress).  Retired SU products: Stamps--Eat Chocolate (2011 Occ.-retired); Decorative Label punch; Polka Dots Embossing Folder; 1/4" Grosgrain ribbon (stash).  Zutter Corner Rounder punch.  Size: 3" x 6" Mini Slimline.

Happiest of Birthdays for an SCS Friend!

One of the ladies on Splitcoaststampers has a birthday in January, and she has kindly sent me a few cards over the years.  I seems to always be behind the eight ball and never have enough cards finished to send timely.  Even though that was still the case, I made up my mind that I would send her a card in January this year even if it was late.  It is on the way!

Take a peek at the cheerful little card sprinkled with lots of color and sequins that I made for her.  I'm hoping the Post Office is speedy in their delivery since she lives out of state from me and it's already late.  

Ingredients: Stampin' Up products:  Cardstock--Basic White, Lemon Lime Twist, Bermuda Bay, Daffodil Delight.  Pattern Paper--Bubbles & Fizz (2018 SAB).  Ink--Bermuda Bay, Lemon Lime Twist, Daffodil Yellow.  Stamps--Picture Perfect Birthday sentiment + confetti).   Dies--2-3/8" Stitched Circles.  Ribbon--1/8" Satin Bermuda Bay (2018 SAB Shimmer ribbon pack).  Other products:  Dies--Lifestyles Eyelet Circles.  Pretty Pink Posh--sequins.  EK Victorian Corner punch. Chatterbox computer verse.  Size:  4-3/4" x 6".

So Sweet Thank You!

 My Mom has been my go-to-person for getting my stamps, dies, and "must have" Stampin' Up items since I resigned as a Stampin' Up demonstrator back in August.  If they would just stop inventing new stuff that I just can't live without, it would help.  I wanted to send her a little thank you card just to let her know how much I appreciate all her work...I do know what a big job it is to get things entered and on order in a timely manner in order to take advantage of sales that pop up every now and then!

I decided to check out my “To Dos” stash and finish a card I started back in early 2016.  This little chick was an SAB freebie, and I started coloring her when I was away from home, and didn't have my Copic markers with me.  I was not super happy with how she turned out.  I don't find I'm very skillful using water-base markers in getting any blending or shading.  I did try to go back and "fix her up" with my Copic markers later, but I'm not sure I improved upon her at all!  I did add a little ground shading so she was not floating in the air!

  
Originally, I was trying out a honeycomb paper balloon embellishment, but I found they don't store well and are flimsy and pull apart easily, so I tore off the honeycomb and added a glitter balloon made from a Duck Tape Rainbow Glitter roll that I bought about three years ago, but never opened the package to try it out.  It really is quite pretty and I think it works quite well with my color scheme.

I shipped off a check to pay Mom for my order along with this little So Sweet thank you card.  I think Mom will enjoy the thoughtfulness even if it was just a quick and speedy card!  Take a peek below at my inside and outside finished card for Mom!

Ingredients:  Ingredients: SU Products: Cardstock--Basic Black, Basic White. DSP: Perfectly Artistic (2016 SAB) Stamps: Honeycomb Happiness (2016 SAB). Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black. Punch: 1-1/2" Circle. Stamp-Write Markers: Daffodil Delight, Pumpkin Pie. Copic Markers. Ribbon: stash. Inside: Mint Macaron, Blushing Bride. Scalloped Scallops punch.  Other: Savvy Dies: Thank You Cursive. Duck Tape: Rainbow Glitter. Size-4-3/4" x 6".

You Can NEVER Have Too Much Happy!

My friend and former co-worker's birthday falls right after Christmas, and here is another example of missing birthday cards due to my loss of creative mojo during Covid!  I was determined to make a card for her this year as I've finally gotten myself been back to my craft table after an 18 mos. hit & miss hiatus!  It was definitely time to get out of my funk!

My friend and I worked together as a team for 13 years as elementary school office staff.  One of our major functions each year was school start-up in my role as the elementary school office manager and she as the student registrar.  A favorite fun thing we looked forward to each year was welcoming our new little kindergarteners with their smiling, happy little faces and cute antics.

With this in mind, I thought she would really enjoy a kindergarten art easel shape for her birthday card.  I remembered an easel template that I've had in my stash for several years, but it was smaller than I wanted as I prefer cards that are 4-3/4 x 6-inches.  Before getting started, I enlarged the template dimensions.  I am really please with my finished easel card.  Take a look below at my finished card with its inside design and my verse completed on the computer! 

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up Products:  Cardstock--Crumb Cake, Basic Black, Crisp Cantaloupe, Soft Sky.  Stamps--Yippee Skippee (sentiment), Hardwood BG. Dies--Floral Fusion Sizzilit. Ink--Baked Brown Sugar, Staz-On White. Patterned Paper--scraps. Punch--Banner. Linen Thread. Basic Pearl--minis. Other: EK punch--Victorian Corners 

Being Strong!

My brother recently lost his wife quite suddenly and unexpectedly!  It was a shock to all of us.  I wanted to send him a Thinking of You card to let him know I'm keeping him in my prayers and thought each and everyday!

This is a CASE of a card designed by Liz Thayer for her class that I attended way back in the fall of 2013.  It has been lurking in my "To Do" stash of partially completed cards needing to be finished.  I made some of my own modifications and changes to enlarge the card, add a bit of sparkle, and change the sentiment as well.  I added a new Natural Ivory card base plus a dark brown glitter mat layer to the already existing Crumb Cake mat layer and my card became a thinking of you card rather than a thank you card.  I also decorated the inside and added my own computer-made verse.

I'm really pleased with the added layers and glitter paper.  It really dressed up the card a lot.  I think my brother will be pleased with his card and really like the inside verse, as it fits the occasion perfectly.  Take a peek below at the finished card inside and out.

Ingredients:  Stampin' Up products:  Cardstocks--Naturals Ivory, Crumb Cake, Bashful Blue. Ink--Crumb Cake, Early Espresso. Stamps--Truly Grateful stamps (circle bg, acorns-2013 Holiday). Dies--Window Framelits Collection ((2013-14 Annual). Embossing Folder--Stylish Stripes. Festive Paper Piercing Pack. 1-1/4" Burlap Ribbon. Linen Thread. Dazzling Diamonds Glitter.  Other:  Recollections Signature 12" Assorted Glitter Pad (dark brown). EK punch: Victorian Corner.

Triangle Christmas Trees!

This is a Christmas card design by Luci Kirschbaum from a Stampin' Up card class I attended at the end of September. I brought it home to think about what it needed, if anything, before I felt it was finished.  It has been sitting in my unfinished Christmas cards for well over a month!  It was time revisit it and make up my mind what I wanted to do. . .leave it as is or add something more.

 

The design is geometric, not normally my style especially in a Christmas card, but somehow I found this card very appealing.  I decided I liked it, but maybe it needed a little sparkle and be a bit larger to fit the card size I generally prefer.   I added some rhinestone tree toppers for sparkle and a new Always Artichoke card base, enlarging its size to 4-3/4 x 6-inches.  I do like the sparkle, extra color, and layering that I added to tweak just a little.  See my finished card below:

Ingredients: SU Cardstock--Evening Evergreen, Basic Gray, Always Artichoke. SU 2021 July-Dec Mini: Peaceful Place Specialty DSP & Sweet Little Stockings stamps. SU Dies--Stitched Triangles. SU Ink--Evening Evergreen. SU Embossing Folder--Evergreen Forest 3D. SU Basic Rhinestones. Colorbox Charcoal ink distressing (trees). Chatterbox computer verse.  Size: 4-3/4" x 6".