Merry Christmas Glitter - Tag Card #6

My last a final tag card conversion.  This was just such fun to prove to myself that I was right...a tag could be made into a lovely card.  Again, I change and tweaked the layout on this tag and added some elements to fill in areas to fit my ribbon and bow that I wanted to add to this card.  I also added tiny rhinestones for Christmas tree lights, and, yes, I am much happier with the smaller rhinestones than the size I used in Tag Card #4,  I deviated from all Stampin' Up papers on this bone and used BoBunny's Double Dot Frost Blue for my main background mat.  I really like the use of the oval Silver Glimmer paper on the Crumb Cake Decorative Label to fill in, and the addition of the small Silver Glimmer snowflake and the rhinestone center on scalloped circle element is a plus as well.  Now, I am inspired to try a tag on other occasion cards as well.

Inspiration from Christmas Tags by Heidi Gonzales - mylilscrapcorner.blogspot.com.Recipe:  SU stamps: Scentsational Season (tree), Mixed Medley (scallop design/ sentiment). SU dies: Two Tags Bigz, Holiday Collections framelits, Finishing Touches Edgelits (trim). SU Punch: 2-3/8” Scallop, 1-1/4” Scallop, 3/4” circle, 1-3/4” large oval, Decorative Label. Martha Stewart Punch: Aspen corner (mini snowflake). SU papers: Cardstocks-Early Espresso base, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla-tag; Silver Glitter paper; Festival of Prints dsp stack. SU Ink: Early Espresso, Gumball Green. Colorbox Chestnut Roan (distressing). SU Rhinestones (Copic color). Queen&Co. Twinkle Goosebumps-crystal. Hug Snug seam binding-Tropic Wine. Stash: Silver ribbon. SU Early Espresso Baker’s Twine.

Christmas & Hot Chocolate Go Together! Tag Card #5

I just love this Stampin' Up stamp and die that creates a hot cup of...hot chocolate, hot toddies, coffee, tea, etc.  I made quite a few paper, ribbon, and layout changes to this tag, plus added a scallop border and embellishments.  I also had this lovely sheer snowflake ribbon that just absolutely begged to be used.  I didn't have a picture at the time I was making this tag, so I just ad libbed with the pieces that I had.  I was really happy with how my tag and card turned out.  Hope you like it as well!

Inspiration from Christmas Tags by Heidi Gonzales - mylilscrapcorner.blogspot.com.Recipe:  SU stamp/die set: Scentsational Season (cup), Jolly Bingo Bits (snowflake). SU dies: Two Tags Bigz, Holiday Collections framelits, Snow Flurry Bigz. SU Punch: 2-3/8” Scallop, Scallop Edge Border. EK Punch: 3/4” Scallop Circle, Medium Scallop Photo Corner, Scalloped Scallops Edge Border. SU papers: Cardstocks-Early Espresso base, Baja Breeze, Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla; Snow Festival dsp (scallop trim), Festival of Prints dsp stack, Silver Glitter paper. SU Ink: Soft Suede. Colorbox Chestnut Roan (distressing). Rhinestones. Stash: Cream crochet thread; Snowflake glitter ribbon (Michaels).

Christmas Tree Sparkle - Tag Card #4!

Tag Card #4 really brings on the Christmas season with its sparkly little Christmas tree.  I made a few paper and layout changes to this tag, plus added lots of little rhinestones for tree lights instead of leaving them white.  There is a story behind that, of course.  

I tried using Perfect Pearls liquid first.  I just couldn't get all the round dots to be uniform so that I was happy with it.  After the liquid pearls dried, it confirmed that I just wouldn't be satisfied with the way it turned out.  I took my trusty Cricuit spatula and scraped off the dried liquid pearls.   This little Cricuit spatula (looks like a mini pancake turner) is so good for lifting off glued down items...don't know what I would do without it...even though, obviously, I am not using it for the purpose for which it was created.  I was able to get the pearls off and have a flat surface again, but the pearls "stained" the tree's circles red, green, blue, etc.  Therefore, I had to put on rhinestones at least large enough to cover the staining.  I would have been happier with rhinestones the next size smaller.  By the way, I colored my rhinestones with Copic markers to match the color shades in the paper used.

Inspiration from Christmas Tags by Heidi Gonzales - mylilscrapcorner.blogspot.com.Recipe:  SU stamps: Scentsational Season (tree), Mixed Medley (snowflake). SU dies: Two Tags Bigz, Holiday Collections framelits. SU Punch: 2-3/8” Scallop, 3/4” circle, 1-1/4” Scallop. Zutter Corner Rounder. SU papers: Cardstocks- Cherry Cobbler base, Marine Mist, Very Vanilla; Festival of Prints dsp stack, First Edition Specialty dsp, Silver Glitter paper. SU Ink: Early Espresso, Gumball Green. Colorbox Chestnut Roan (distressing). SU Rhinestones (Copic colored). Queen&Co. Twinkle Goosebumps-green. Hug Snug seam binding ribbon: Gabardine Green, Spring Green. SU Cherry Cobbler Baker’s Twine.

Candy Canes Christmas Tag Card #3

I'm having such great fun turning these tags into Christmas cards!  It is really putting me in a festive mood.  I just love the candy canes on my Tag card #3.

I added an an Old Olive Open Scallop punched border to the design running down the center of my tag to give it a bit more color.  I also changed the scalloped circle to a green paper with a bit of red as I thought this would also add more color.  I stamped my Crumb Cake (tan) Decorative Label with SU's Crumb Cake ink and the Flowering Flouishes stamp to give the plain cardstock some additional interest.  I added to and changed the tag ribbons, added some candy dots and a Cherry Cobbler fishtail mat behind the sentiment.  Following is a picture of Tag card #3 with a picture of Heidi's original tag.  By comparing the two you can see how card #3 evolved.  

Inspiration from Christmas Tags by Heidi Gonzales - mylilscrapcorner.blogspot.com.
Recipe:  SU stamps: Scentsational Season (canes), Flowering Flourishes, More Merry Messages (sentiment). SU dies: Two Tags Bigz, Holiday Collections framelits. SU Punch: 2-3/8” Scallop, 3/4” circle, Decorative Label, Scallop Trim border. EK Punch: Medium Scallop Photo Corner. SU papers: Cardstocks- Very Vanilla base/tag, Cherry Cobbler, Lucky Limeade; Festival of Prints dsp stack, Silver Glitter paper. SU Ink: Soft Suede, Real Red. Colorbox Chestnut Roan (distressing). Old Olive Candy Dots. Hug Snug seam binding ribbon: Moss Green. SU Crochet Trim. SU Cherry Cobbler Baker’s Twine.

Merry Christmas Gingerbread Man! Tag Card #2

With my first tag card conversion under my belt, I learned I need to decide on the card papers and layers to go along with my tag before I assemble my tag because the manila background on most of the tags doesn't show off the tag well against the Stampin' Up Festival of Prints papers Heidi used.  This is probably because the papers use white rather than cream in their design.  On the first tag, I made the tag first and then  added a piece of Cherry Cobbler to back the manila to make it show up against the paper better.  Fortunately, I found that my Zutter corner rounder had the exact same shaped corners as the tags, so I was able to cut a rectangle slightly larger than the tag dimensions and round its corners to match the tag's corners.  It did not have the curved top, but the ribbon through the tag hole covered up this omission so it doesn't show.  

With this 2nd tag card, I, fortunately, have the exact tag die that was used, so I cut a tag outline of the patterned paper she used at the bottom as an accent.  This covered the entire tag, so I did not use it as an accent piece.  Instead, I added a strip of Cherry Cobbler accent and placed my scalloped silver glimmer on top.  Below is my 2nd card, along with Heidi's picture of her original tag.  In comparing the two, you can see the changes I made to develop my tag into a card!

  

Inspiration from Christmas Tags by Heidi Gonzales - mylilscrapcorner.blogspot.com.
Recipe:  SU stamps: Scentsational Season (gingerbread), Mixed Medley (snowflake), Teeny Tiny Wishes. SU dies: Two Tags Bigz, Holiday Collections framelits. SU Punch: 2-3/8” Scallop, 1-1/4” Scallop, 3/4” circle, Decorative Label (modified), Word Window. SU papers: Cardstocks-Whisper White-base, Gumball Green, Very Vanilla-tag, Cherry Cobbler; Silver Glitter paper; Festival of Prints dsp stack. Be of Good Cheer dsp. SU Ink: Soft Suede, Crumb Cake. Colorbox Chestnut Roan (distressing). SU Rhinestones (Copic color). Queen&Co. Twinkle Goosebump-green. Hug Snug seam binding Spring Green. SU Linen Thread.

Christmas is Coming - Snowflake-Gingerbread Man - Tag Card #1!

Guess what...the rest of the month of November leaves me free and clear of any birthdays, anniversaries, or other non-holiday cards needed or that I want to make.  Yahoo!  This means I can devote all of my cardmaking creativity to getting ready for Christmas!  

I bought a kit of six Christmas tags in 2012 that were designed by my sister, Heidi Gonzales (mylilscrapcorner.blogspot.com).  They are all using Stampin' Up's Scentsational Scents stamp and die set.  I decided to bring out the kit and get started.  Now, I knew when I bought this set of tags that I would not be using them as package tags, but rather converting them to Christmas cards; therefore, I have taken the liberty of making some paper layout changes to help with the card layering that I wanted to use.  Following, is the first tag I converted to a card.  

 

With this tag, I added the Cherry Cobbler mat behind the tag to give it more color against the green patterned layer next to the tag.  I also shortened my center fishtail banner and added rhinestone buttons to Mr. Gingerbread.  I used Cherry Cobbler as my cardbase as well.  Next, I added a layer of silver glimmer paper and the matching green pattern, with Cherry Cobbler seam binding ribbon with a double bow.  I was very pleased with my "tag" card, and am excited to make the other five "tag" cards.  Watch for them as they appear in my blog throughout the month of November!

Recipe:  Recipe:  SU stamps: Scentsational Season (gingerbread), Snowflake Soiree. SU dies: Two Tags Bigz, Holiday Collections framelits, Finishing Touches Edgelits (pinking). SU Punch: 2-3/8” Scallop, 1-3/4” circle. Zutter Corner Rounder. SU papers: Cardstocks- Cherry Cobbler-base, Very Vanilla-tag; Silver Glitter paper; Be of Good Cheer dsp, Festival of Prints dsp stack. SU Ink: Early Espresso, Soft Suede. Colorbox Chestnut Roan (distressing). SU Rhinestones. Hug Snug seam binding cream. SU Cherry Cobbler Baker’s Twine.

Get Well!

A lovely, elderly lady, who happens to be my daughter-in-laws grandmother, has taken a fall and broken her hip, some ribs, and has some serious bruising, all of which caused her to be admitted to the hospital and then to a therapy/recovery care center.  I wanted to send her a little get well and thinking about you card so she would know that she is not forgotten and is in our thoughts and prayers for her speedy recovery.  

Because I have quite a number of cards that I have made, but not shared with anyone, I dove into to my stash looking for a cheerful card to suit my purpose.  I found this little card that I made at a card class hosted by Misty Bradley over two years ago.  It was not originally a get well card, but I changed the sentiment and now it is just right.  I have always loved this paper by My Mind's Eye...it is so bright and cheerful. I am hoping my card brings her wonderful smile back to her normally cheerful face!

Recipe:  Georgia Pacific White cs, MME: Fine & Dandy-Tickled Pink. Core'inations: Gemstone-Turquoise. Spellbiners Labels LG. WRMK Deco Corner Chomper. Colorbox Chestnut Roan (distressing). Martha Stewart Deco Fan corner punch. May Arts 5/8" Twill-white. Petaloo Mulberry paper daisies. Recollections pearls. Computer-made sentiment/ verse.

Vintage Halloween!

I really wanted to make a vintage Halloween card, I selected a little girl holding a pumpkin candle to light her way from my stash and designed my card around her.  This card is definitely for my mother.  I think she will really like this cute little girl image for sure.  I wanted three distinct layers beneath my framed image, so I actually built this card from the top down to get my layer sizing compatible with the size of the framed image.  I'm sure it could have been done the normal way---from the bottom up--but I do seem to choose the more difficult method at times!  LOL  I then composed a little verse for the inside and add decorations and embellishment to compliment the front of the card.  I can't wait until Mom gets a chance to open her card!

Recipe:  Stampin' Up cardstocks: Basic Black, Pumpkin Pie, Whisper White.  DCWV Halloween & Fall Stack (2011), Paper Pizzazz (stripe).  Digital vintage image (2.65" x 2.10"). Colobox Charcoal (distressing).  EK Large Scallop Corner punch, Spellbinders die: Classic Rectangles & Scalloped Rectangles.  Recollections flower. Stampin' Up Dazzling Details. Stash: ribbons.  Computer-made verse. 

A Raven Visits West Virginia!

I attended a craftmaking affair last year, on my annual fall visit to my mothers, at the Rock, Paper, Scissors store in Redding, CA, which has now, unfortunately, closed since that visit.  We made several Fall/ Halloween items: two card, a paper sack gift card holder, a framed papercraft project, and a Harvest mini block.  Each was taught by a different store design team member or local craft artist.  The framed papercraft project was taught by Sara Moreno, and I loved its design, but as I do not generally decorate my walls for Halloween, I decided to turn my project into a card.

My card retains the flavor of the original project using the same papers and center design embellishments; but, I made the following changes.  I re-sized the orange word mat layer to a 5-1/2" card size and placed it on a black cardbase.  I moved the dripping ooze border and the black bow to the top of the card.  I added a ribbon strip over the ooze edge, silver sparkle to the rosette spines, offset the button in the center design area, and gave the raven a little back bead for its eye.  I was very happy with my card and decided it was perfect for a visit on Halloween to my daughter and her husband in West Virginia.  I hope they like my raven card, and it makes their Halloween more fun knowing they are remember and loved!

Recipe:  SU Basic Black (base), Authentique Enchanted-Haunted, DCWV Fall & Halloween stack (2012), SU Whisper White.  Spellbinder die: Fleur de Lis Squares. Martha Stewart punches: Icicle, Spider Web corner.  SU Dazzling Delights Silver.  Rosette (handmade). Black seam binding ribbon crinkled.  Colorbox Charcoal (sponging/ distressing).  Stash: Orange button, Black twine.

Halloween Cauldron of Potions!

I recently purchased a few Halloween QuicKutz dies that I was anxious to try out.  I envisioned a Halloween scene with a witch's cauldron of oozing, bubbling green slime and wicked flasks of potions ready to be added to the brew.  I decide circling bats would add to the eerie night scene.  The ideas for this card seemed a perfect fit for my son, David.  I hope he enjoys this little card I made just for him.

Recipe: DCWV Halloween & Fall stack (2011), Stampin' Up Cardstock: Basic Black, Cajun Craze, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive. DCWV Glimmer stack (moon). Recollections glimmer (lime). Stash: cork paper. Martha Stewart bat and spider stickers.  Recollections Halloween embellishments (quarter moon). Martha Stewart Spider Web border punch. Tim Holtz fence die. Stampin' Up: Googlie eyes. Colorbox Chestnut Roan sponging. Colorbox Charcoal distressing.  Stash: mesh netting. 

Grab Your Broom!

I made this little Halloween card last year using a card kit from Rock, Paper, Scissors in Redding, CA.  The card retains the flavor of the originally designed card, but I tweaked the layout spacing and the mat layer sizing a bit, added color to the witch's boot with Copics, added the glimmer brads, composed a verse, and decorated the inside of the card to compliment the card front.  I just love this Stampin' Up stamp and thought it was perfect for my daughter Jackie to place in her holiday shadow box picture frames.

Recipe:  Bazzill cardstocks: Blackbird, Yam, Clay.  Bazzill Dot.  Pattern paper: Authentique Enchanted.  Stamps: SU Bootiful Occasions.  Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black. Colorbox Charcoal (distressing). Stampin' Up Glimmer Brads.  Spellbinders dies: Classic Ovals/ Scalloped Ovals. EK Large Scallop Corner Punch (inside). Copic Markers. Computer-made verse; Font: Homemade Apple/ size 11.  Card size: 5-1/2" square.

Punch Art "Otzi the Mummy" for Halloween!

After making Scary Mr. Frankie (and a pirate punch art card in between), I decided why not a mummy, so I put myself to the task.  I have seen several rectangular cards made with mummies and even made one at a Liz Thayer cardmaking class in September.  Liz's card was my favorite of all that I've seen because she used the torn paper technique, which I thought made the bandages more authentic.  So, I decided to try my mummy with the Top Note die punch art technique, which was one I have never seen done.  I then made up a little verse and complimentary inside decorations.  My sister was particularly fond of Otzi the Mummy when I finished him, so I thought it only appropriate that he go to here to wish her a frightful Halloween!

Recipe: SU CS: B. Black, Tang. Tango, Ivory Naturals-torn. Echo Park Chillingsworth Manor: Apothecarthy Labels green chevron. DCWV Halloween/Fall 2011 Stack-dots. SUInk: B.Gray-distress, B.Black-markings. SU TopNote die-head. SU Punch: Circles-3/4"-iris, 1-1/4"-eyeball, 1-3/8”-eye orange; 2" Ex Lrg Oval-ears. EK Stickos-pupil. WRMK Deco CornerChomper. SU ChalkMarker. M.Stewart Halloween ribbon. Stash: Black/Orange seambinding.

Punch Art Busyness for Halloween!

I love to make Halloween cards!  So many thoughts and ideas roaming in my head.  I wanted to try my hand at Top Note Die punch art.  My first attempt was Scary Mr. Frankie whose inspiration came from Jacqueline Dorer-Russell (http://sugarssmilinpapercrafts.blogspot.com/2013/09/frankenstein-card.html) when I saw her Frankie card on Pinterest. I decided to tweak his ears a bit, as she is now using the Stampin' Up Decorative Label as shown on her video tutorial.  I also wanted to use patterned Halloween papers from my huge stash.  I decided to put him on a 3/4 front-fold card so I could use SCARY alphabet letters beside him, and give him a bow-tie as well.  I designed an interior to compliment the outside and added a little verse that I composed.  Scary Mr. Frankie will be going to my son Mark and his wife Ginger, to wish them lots of fun on Halloween!

 

Recipe:  SU Basic Black cs, Wild Wasabi cs, Recollections Spice Market Burnt Orange cs, Karen Foster: Spooky Collage, Bazzill cs: Honeycomb; DCWV Halloween & Fall Stack (dots). SU Top Note die (head). SU Punches: 3/4" circle (eye pupil), 1" circle (eyeball/ lids), Round Tab (nose), 2" Extra Large Oval (ears), Decorative Label (mouth). Sharpie marker. SU Chalk Marker. SU Ink: Basic Black (distressing). Sizzix Wingo Zingo Alphabet Sizzlits. SU Dazzling Details (frost). Stash: 3/8" dot satin ribbon, Halloween Baker's Twine.

Ladybug Tilda Visits for a Niece's Birthday

Another of my niece's has an October birthday. . .this time late in the month.  Sara has bought her first home and has a lovely garden every year.  My guess is she probably has some very large pumpkins in her garden right now.  Last year she should have entered the Guiness Book of Records because I think she would have won for the strangest looking and strangest shaped pumpkin grown.  She managed a hybrid between a green squash and a pumpkin somehow without even trying!  With this in mind, I thought a visit from Ladybug Tilda would be just right.  Tilda brings a large ladybug with her, which I have heard are good for gardens!

This card features a Magnolia stamp on its front and was one of the cards I made when I first started cardmaking back in 2010.  I look back on it and think, "you know that wasn't too bad."  I had never done any coloring before, and this class I took from my sister, Heidi Gonzales (My Lil' Scrap Corner) taught woodless-colored pencil coloring using mineral spirits to set the color.  It was a fun way to color images for cards, but I have to say, I do prefer my Copic markers today!  I hope Sara enjoys her Tilda with her Ladybug birthday card.

Recipe:  Magnolia stamp: Ladybug Tilda. Woodless Coloring Pencils (available at Michaels). Papers: cream cs, Bazzill-Paprika & Sour Lemon cs, MME-Be Loved. SU Punches: Modern Label, Word Window. Offray 3/8" Mint satin ribbon. Red-Orange dew drops.

Three Masculine Birthdays!

October brings three male birthdays in my family~all nephews or nephew-in-laws, and of course, all living in states other than mine!  I went to my card stash because I knew I had at least three masculine cards made that would be useful.  In addition, as I was making these cards, I was thinking, "Oh, these will be nice to have when all those October male birthdays arrive at my doorstep demanding attention, and I am so short of time getting ready for my annual fall trip to visit my mother."  

So, out from the stash they came to receive verses and embellishments to compliment the already complete exteriors and with each gentleman in mind as I worked.  My next step was to get them into bubble-wrap-protected packaging to fit into mailing envelopes, addressed, and then I would be all set!  I hope Davis, Jesse, and Jared enjoy their cards when they arrive throughout the month of October.  Below is a picture of each card.

This card is for Davis and was made at a Stampin' Up Card Club hosted by Amy Muhly, using all Stampin' Up products.

The inspiration for this card came from one made at a Stampin' Up card class given by Misty Bradley (Rock, Paper, Scissors - Redding, CA).  In my version of the card, I have added trim and black pearls and changed the layout positioning a bit.  I also added the black matting to give it another layer.  My sentiment is computer-generated.  I hope Jesse enjoys it on his birthday.

Again, inspiration was from a previous card made by Misty Bradley (Rock, Paper, Scissors - Redding, CA).  The black and white color theme is the same as the original card, but layout elements are re-arranged and embellishments added: white and black buttons, ribbons, Baker's twine, and white enamel brads. This one is for Jared who is serving our country and stationed on the East Coast.  Here is hoping he enjoys his card, and know we are thinking about him and his family!