Crafter's Companion Blog Candy winner

Back in August, I won this wonderful stamp set from Crafter's Companion called Christmas with Barkley Let it Snow.

Here is the card that I made with it.



 

I heat embossed the entire image twice.  I colored both images using Distress Inks and then fussy cut Barkley from one copy.  The red background is a Spellbinder's Die.  I used a Spellbinder's oval die for the first image and mounted it on the red die cut.  The fussy cut Barkley was popped up on 3-D dots so that he stands away from the background.  I used Tulip Puffy paint to add the snow.  The snow flake background paper is from My Mind's Eye 6x6 Winter Wonderland Designer Cardstock Paper Pad.

It won't be long and this will have to go in the mail!

Distressing without the stress these days

I am back again.  I made this card for my Mom using distress inks to color in the image.  I also used Distress Ink on the paper flower that adorns the front.



The edges of the card were distressed using Peeled Paint (one of my favorite colors).

 

Here is the card with the flap opened.  I used a Spellbinder Die (Scalloped Ovals) to cut the openings.

 

And with the inner flap opened, you can see the inside of the card where I stamped my sentiment.

 

Now this card was inspired by Splitcoast Stampers, but I did not have the large dies that they use, so I used squares and rectangles and put it together that way.  I made a teabag medallion to put on the front.

Thanks for looking.  I hope you have a great day!



Of Die cuts and flowers

I wanted to share another card I have made.  This one used a different way to use Spellbinders die cuts.  For this card, I used Contemporary Hearts, and Parisian Accents and Foliage.  I also used a punch for the pine bough leaves and some paper flowers that I colored using Distress Inks.

The centers of the flowers and the 3 little gems on the top right of the card are actually "pearls" but don't show up so well in this photo.

 

When the card is open, it looks like this on the inside.

 

Here you can see the pearls better.  And you can see that inside there is another die cut that does not show when the card is closed.

 

I am entering this card in the following challenge:

 

http://robynsfetishchallengeblog.blogspot.com/2013/06/challenge-163-die-cuts-or-punches-692014.html



Spring colors

Today I have another challenge card made for the Spring Colors challenge #158 at Robyn's Fetish Challenge Blog.

The image is a Digital Stamp from Robyn's Fetish Digital Stamps and More called Birdie's Nest.  I colored the image with colored pencils and did the blue background with chalk.  The sentiment comes from Create with TLC and I cut it out using Spellbinders Big Scalloped ovals.

I do hope spring has really arrived here in northern Wisconsin!



Newest Cards

I was hoping to be able to post once a week starting at the first of the New Year, but time has a way of getting away from me and already I am behind.

But, here are some of the latest cards I have made:

This one is called a double zig-zag card and I just love how easily it goes together.  The hardest part is deciding how to decorate it.

 

This is the card with the belly band on to help hold it closed.

Take the band off, and it opens up.  There is another flap on the inside and it lifts up.

Opened up, it reveals the sentiment.

 

And here are a couple more that I have made:

 

             

       

 

 

The sentiments shown came from Create with TLC.

 

The instructions for how to make this card can be found on this blog:

http://mariannespapir.blogspot.no/2012/06/double-zig-zag-card-tutorial.html

 

Here is another card I made for a challenge that required the use of a digi image of my choice from her store, blue, snowflake, snow, and twine.  I did meet the requirements and I am pleased with my result.



I hope you enjoy these cards and that they inspire you to be creative.  Stay warm!



Honey Bee

I made this Honey Bee card to send to a special person and thought that it would also work for the challenge at Paper Issues!

The photo is one I took of a bee that was "Bzzzy" collecting pollen from a sunflower in the garden so he didn't notice that I was able to take his picture.  The tea bag medallion is one from Sue Bothum of Circle of Crafters.  I just love the fold as it produces so many layers.  The tile I used has little bees in the corners so it worked perfectly for the fold.  The sentiment is from Create with TLC. and cut out with my Spellbinders die using my Cuttlebug.  Peel offs were used for the white border around the photo.

I hope you have a good day!  "Bee well!"

Feeling a little vintage and Pro Markers

I downloaded the graphic for this card from The Graphics Fairy.  The background is made by cutting 3 pages of card stock and then reassembling them to form a new paper.  I distressed the edges of them with Distress inks to add depth.  I also tore around the edges of the graphic and distressed it as well.  The clock is from Spellbinders Timeless Heritage set.  A rubber stamped sentiment, a bit of fiber ribbon and this is the completed card!

I got the greatest bargain on a set of Pro Markers!  I have never used alcohol based markers before, but I managed to complete a card with them.  I printed the digital stamp with my printer and discovered that if I let it set overnight to cure completely, the ink does not bleed when I start coloring it.  I discovered this when I was using my colored pencils too.  (Just a little tip if you didn't know)  I learned how to use the markers by watching some YouTube videos.  The background is shaded with chalks.

I hope you like my latest creations.  Stop back again...





A touch of Spring

We had a warmer March than April so far.  While the days have been nice, the nights have brought really cold temperatures.

In honor of spring's arrival, I made this easel card.  I have also entered it in a challenge!

The challenge is over at Lily Pad Cards.

Greetings, y’all! Are you ready to play? Kathy’s given us bright and happy colors – just perfect for Easter!!!

I love the spring colors and decided to try this one.  I used a digital image of lilies that I had and after coloring them with colored pencils, I cut the images with my Cuttlebug and my Spellbinders Labels 4.  The sentiment is computer generated.  After printing it, I used a smaller Labels 4 die and then colored it while still in the die using Distress ink.

The background paper is from a card stock pad I purchased years ago and is sparkly and glittered.  I added Stickles to the lilies to give them some shine too.

This photo shows the layers and the stickles a little better.

I have also entered this card in the easel card challenge at The Cuttlebug Spot.
You have to check out all the fun things going on over there too!

I hope you like my card.  Feel free to comment and/or become a follower!

Getting ready for Mother's Day

I have started making some cards for Mother's day.  Some of my friends have requested some so I am making them.

Here is one of them:

I used my Martha Stewart punches to make the background layers.  My Cuttle bug with Curls and Swirls Alphabet dies made the letters.  And of course a tea bag medallion to top it off.  A little bling in the corners to set it off.

I made a few in the same style.  I have various colors made like this too, and if you are interested in purchasing one, contact me and let me know.



I have also been making other cards too.  Just have not time taken to show them.

I made this one for my granddaughter's baptism.  I used a digi stamp from Create with TLC.  She has the most beautiful sayings and quotations for cards.  You really need to sign up to be a Follower.  Paulette is very generous with her creations.  The fold is from a dear friend of mine - The Leo Fold. 

And this one also made with a digi from Create with TLC.  This saying is so appropriate.  I love it.  I used a Spellbinders die to cut it out and shaded it in with Distress Ink in Broken China.

I hope you are all having a great day.  We hit 76 here today - totally unheard of here in northern Wisconsin in March.  I am not complaining about it.  I have seen my first robins of the year and the sand hill cranes are back with their noisy calls.  Someone told me today that they saw a flock of bluebirds yesterday.  Could it be?  Is spring really here?

We have had issues with a bear for the past 3 weeks.  It likes our deck.  This photo was taken on March 5 - see we did have some snow:

This bear has burdock's stuck to the fur on her back and face.  It has no fear of us.  I took this photo through a closed back door as she was less than 8 feet from the door.  I say "her" but do not know for sure.  When it stood up on it's hind legs and looked at me, I didn't think to look at the down side to determine gender!  I did notice that there were no "nursing" marks on it, so it does not have cubs.  Whatever - but it came out of the den early and decided to stay up.  It has been paying us regular visits so we are very aware of our surroundings when we leave for work in the dark and any other time as well.  In this photo, it was 4:30 in the afternoon!



Happy February!

We have had such a nice weather pattern going lately.  Whoever heard of 50 degrees in January in northern Wisconsin?!  Last week we were in the 40's all week too.  I know it won't last, but it sure is a nice change.

I have made a few more cards since I was last here.  This one is iris folding.  I have not done this technique in quite a while, but I like how it turned out.  I used tissue paper for the vase and tore apart some silk flowers I had to put in the vase.

This is one I made for a valentine.  The clip art came from TLC Creations.  You really need to check out what she has available.  Lots of goodies for your card making and scrap booking pleasure.  And be sure to become a follower so you can get even more goodies!  I used my Martha Stewart heart border punch for the edges and an embossing folder from Darcie (hearts) for the background.  I made a medallion for the front, inked the edges with Distress Ink in Fired Brick, and tied on some eyelash ribbon.

This one is made with with Spellbinders Elegant Posts for accents.  Of course a medallion made from a tile I made.  The background is made using the bubble wrap technique - paint bubble wrap with acrylic paint, press your card stock onto it and let it dry.  When dry, I lightly inked it with Fired Brick Distress ink.  The original color of the card stock is what I call paper bag brown.

I hope you are having a great day!  Feel free to leave a comment if you have time.  I like feedback!





A New Year! Happy 2012

I hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday season.  Ours was great - quiet, but great.

I have had some time to make a few cards again.  YAY!  Gotta' love that.

Here is a card I made after making the mushroom paper.  It turned out pretty good, but was stiff.  I used it as a backing for my medallion.  I may have to try die cutting some of this paper in my Cuttlebug to see if it will cut.

This card is done with a flourish clear stamp onto paper that I inked up with my brayer.  I cut them out, and adhered them to rectangles cut from white card stock that I ran through my Cuttlebug first.  I inked the edges of the embossed pieces before adhering them to patterned paper.  Little yellow gems finished it off.

 This card was really fun to make!  It is folded accordian style and attached to a backing card.  Before folding it, the butterflies were stamped on the ends of a long strip of cream paper along with the flourishes and flowers.  I cut out the edges of the butterflies in certain areas so they can overlap on the front of the card.  This is what it looks like open!

It wouldn't be complete without a tea bag medallion, so that went on the inside.  The first card I made like this took FOREVER, but the second, third, and fourth went much quicker.  LOL!

This one I made for a friend that recently moved.  In the process of moving, they found a sketch of what the house was going to look like when built.  I used a Spellbinders die to cut out the opening so that the house would show through the front of the card.  I did this after attaching paint sample strips to the front of the card.  When opened, it looks like this:

FUN! 

I hope you all have a good day and are having good January weather.  Thanks for peeking in!

Tis the week before Christmas and all through my house...

Here it is the week before Christmas and I am getting my cookies baked and the last of everything put together for the festivities.  I wish we would get another inch or so of snow as it is looking brown and green in the yard for this time of year.  I will probably be kicking myself for that comment in a month though.

I believe most of the cards I sent have been received, so it is safe to show more of them here now.

This card is made with a photo I took of some pine boughs and winterberries that I picked and put in a bucket on our deck.  Mother Nature provided a dusting of snow and I went out and took the photo as it looked so pretty.  I attached the velvet ribbon and made a tea bag medallion to finish it off.

Not your typical holiday colors, but I really like the way this one turned out.  I used a silver sticker on the purple card and then covered the front with snowflake embossed vellum.  Using the same fold for the medallion as the previous card, I opted for this one to make the flower for the front along with the embossed leaves from Spellbinders Poinsettia set.

More purple!  This time using a cuttlebug embossing folder (snowflake corner) on white for the background, Spellbinders classic oval for behind the stamped snowman cut with a scalloped oval (also from Spellbinders).  The stamp is from Stampin Up "It's Snowtime" set.

And this is what I call embossed spot light technique.  I embossed the background and then another small piece that lined up over a portion of it and colored in only the small piece with colored pencils.  Clear as mud?  I thought so.

I wish all my family and friends a WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS filled with love and peace.  May all your Christmas wishes come true.

But remember...when you stop believing in Santa Claus,

you start getting underwear for Christmas. 

May you always believe in the spirit of Christmas!

Creating some cards

Well, I have been busy creating my Christmas cards.  Christmas card making falls during hunting season and Thanksgiving and I am only half done with the cards I need to get done to send out for Christmas.  I will (again) ask Santa for more hours in the day this year.

Here is a card that is 2 types in one.  I made a box card and mounted it on an easel base.  The background is cut from 2 copies of the same image and cutting out parts (house, bushes, tree, etc.) and popping them out with dimensionals and adding stickles.  The box card is stamped and colored with colored pencils before cutting out the inside frame.

This card was made using my spellbinders Poinsettia and the styrofoam lid from a take out container.  I inked the flower with chalk inks before assembling it and putting it over the embossed background.

This card is done with a teabag medallion.  The paper came from a paperstck of Christmas papers that I got.  The medallion is made from tiles of my own creation.

That's all from now!  Time to get back at making the cards.  Don't want to spoil any more surprises for family or friends that may look at this blog..







Fall here and leaves have left

Fall is here and we have had beautiful temperatures in the 70's to 80's for the past couple of weeks.  After some heavy rain and wind a couple weeks ago, all of the leaves are now on the ground.  The Aspen still have most of their beautiful yellows and the oaks are pretty with their shades of rust and mahogany.

Our garden did pretty good considering it was the first year.  I was able to put up quite a few quarts of colorful tomatoes.

We found these pretty mushrooms growing on a dead downed tree, but have not been able to find out what kind they are.  They are huge - about a foot across.

If anyone knows what kind this is, please feel free to leave a comment.  In 1 weeks time, they have grown to about 20" across and gotten thicker.  So pretty in their form and shape.  BTW, no need to leave a comment about not eating these.  I know better than to pick and eat any fungus that I don't know what it is. :)

At any rate, I have also made some new cards and played with some new techniques.

This one is teabag folding for the frame around the image.  I created the tile for the medallion from the image in the center.  The background is called Acrylic Distress using acrylic paint, a cuttlebug folder, and sanding paper.  I cut it out using a Spellbinders die.

This one is made from a kit that I won in a contest years ago.  Embroidery on paper on the left side of the card and 3D work on the right.

This one is a bubble wrap background also done with acrylic paints.  Fun stuff to play with.  Also a teabag medallion and a Spellbinders die cut of course!

Sorry this is so blurry.  This is also bubble wrap background, but smaller bubbles that had some popped ones in it (don't you just love popping those?).  Another teabag medallion using a tile I created.  And Spellbinders Elegant Posts die cuts for the accent pieces.

I hope you are having a great fall where you are.  It is time to start thinking about Christmas cards again.  I did some shopping last weekend and picked up a few "must haves" to start making mine.  You know, things like paper, cardstock, glitter, embossing powder, a new Spellbinders Die, etc. 

I just love "Retail Therapy"!