*Christmas Means More*

I was playing around with an embossing folder the other day and tried embossing it on a dark green cardstock.  While it was pretty, I just felt like you couldn't see the definition.  I took a chance with a white pigment ink pad and a blending brush and put a very light layer of white ink on the raised portions of the embossed panel... and it did exactly what I hoped it would do!

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Handsome Hunter; unknown gold sparkle

*Stamps:  Stampin' Up! Christmas Means More

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne; Copics; Hero Arts Unicorn

*Dies:  Waffle Flower Nesting Circles

*Embossing:  Gina K Holiday Flora

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*CAS Colours & Sketches #549*

 It's time for a new sketch at the CAS Colours & Sketches challenge blog....  This would be a great sketch for putting together a batch of cards for a gift or to donate somewhere.

I saw the sketch and knew exactly what I wanted to do...  snowflakes, of course!

Card Info

*Cardstock:  unknown blue shimmer; Lawn Fawn Holographic

*Stamps:  Mama Elephant Merry Greetings

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Impression Obsession Snowflakes

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  CC&S #549

*Joyful*

 A few weeks ago, I shared a card using a die set that I won in an Instagram giveaway.  To get the pieces I used, I had to cut two of each of the pieces... so today I am sharing the card I made using the pieces I didn't use in that first card.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Cherry Cobbler, Evening Evergreen; Spellbinders gold foil

*Dies:  Simon Says Stamp Joyful; Spellbinders Christmas Blooms

*Embossing:  Gina K Holiday Flora

*Challenges:  Just Us Girls #753

*My Favourite Hop - Christmas Movie*

I'm back with another card with the My Favourite Instagram Hop.... this week we are sharing our favourite Christmas movie!

Once again, I took a little creative license with my card.  I am one of those people who loves watching Hallmark Christmas movies.  I love that they always have a happy ending.  I like that they are simple in their storyline because it makes them perfect to watch while I am crafting.

Now, how does my card represent Hallmark Christmas movies?  Well, to start I used a shiny gold cardstock for the word die cut, emulating the gold Hallmark logo.  The sentiment refers to their always being a nod towards "Christmas magic" in these movies.  And finally, if you've ever played Hallmark Christmas Movie Bingo, then you know that an ugly Christmas sweater shows up in almost every single movie.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black; Spellbinders gold foil

*Paper:  Photoplay Tulla & Norbert's Christmas Party

*Stamps:  Simon Says Stamp Believe

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Simon Says Stamp Believe

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  The Paper Players #716

*AAA Colourful #10*

It's a new month and time for a colourboard challenge at AAA Colourful.  I can't wait to see what you all come up with using these fabulous colours!

I saw this colourboard and of course thought of Christmas.  My colours aren't quite as rich as in the inspiration photo, but the colours are there.  I played with my favourite patterned paper for this card... and added a little gold for a pop!

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Spellbinders gold foil

*Paper:  Stampin' Up! Tidings of Christmas

*Stamps:  Gina K Holiday Wreath Builder

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Waffle Flower Nesting Circles

*Challenges:  AAA Colourful #10

*Is It Fall or Is It Winter Instagram Hop*

I'm playing along in the Is It Winter or Is It Fall Instagram hop today.... we are given two choices to use as a prompt to make our card... one fall and one winter.  

This fall in Calgary has been quite nice.  Usually we have seen a lot more cold weather and a lot more snow by now... but so far I'm still wearing sandals most days!  Woohoo! 

Our choices for todays hop were pies or beverages.  For my card I started with some mugs and stamped them on to a white panel.  I coloured them with Copics, added some white highlights with a white gel pen and then did a grey outline around each element to add some depth.  I added a black die cut word and a black mat and called it done.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black

*Stamps:  Lawn Fawn Thanks a Latte

*Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black; Copics; white gel pen

*Dies:  Hero Arts Joy Stamp & Cut

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  Just Us Girls #753

*Merry Christmas To You*

 Happy Wednesday crafty friends...  I'm here with a quick post this morning before I head off to start my work week.  I love my work schedule that allows for me to have a series of days off in a row.  I can get a lot done if I put my mind to it... but usually I sit in my craft room and think about crafting.  LOL

I used a HUGE embossing folder for my card today...  it has a framed out section in the centre.  I put my cardstock in on one side of the folder and the frame is along the right edge of the card.  I covered it with my sentiment.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Cherry Cobbler; gold sparkle

*Stamps:  Gina K Holiday Wreath Builder

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Waffler Flower Nesting Circles, Additional Circles

*Embossing:  Spellbinders Notched Corner Pointsettia

*Tools: Perfect Layers

*Just Add Ink #727*

 I am just LOVING making Christmas cards.  I'm pretty sure I have more than I need, but it's always good to have extras on hand.  For my card today, I followed the sketch at Just Add Ink.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Handsome Hunter, Cherry Cobbler; Spellbinders gold foil

*Paper:  Stampin' Up! Tidings of Christmas

*Stamps:  The Ton Easy Expressions Holiday

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Spellbinders Christmas Blooms; The Ton Easy Expressions Holiday

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  Just Add Ink# #727

*Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #603*

There's a fun new slimline sketch at Atlantic Hearts that starts today.  I always find that the sketches are nearly as beautiful as the creations made using the sketch!

You all know that I prefer a mini slimline size, so of course that's what I went with.  I decided to play with shdes of blue, silver and white to create a fun Christmas card following the sketch.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Lawn Fawn Iridescent; unknown shimmer

*Stamps:  The Ton Easy Expressions Holiday
*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Impression Obsession Small Snowflakes; Spellbinders Christmas Blooms; The Ton Easy Expressions Holiday

*Etc:  foam adhesive

*Challenges:  Atlantic Hearts #603

*Paper Craft Crew #595*

Another card from my weekend in the creative space... this time following the sketch at Paper Craft Crew!

Card Info

*Cardstock:  unknown shimmer; Lawn Fawn Iridescent

*Stamps:  The Ton Easy Expressions Holiday

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Impression Obsession Small Snowflakes; Picket Fence Studio Winter Snowflakes; Ellen Hutson Essential Circles

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges: Paper Craft Crew #595

*Freshly Made Sketches #661*

 I had yesterday off work (I get one Saturday off each month) and since I had nothing I had to do, I spent most of the day in my creative space.  I didn't get a tonne accomplished, but I did get a few Christmas cards created.

The one I am sharing today is following the current sketch at Freshly Made Sketches.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  unknown rose gold mirror, gold sparkle

*Stamps:  The Ton Easy Expressions Holiday

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Pinkfresh Studio Slim Strips; The Ton Easy Expressions Holiday; Picket Fence Studio Winter Snowflakes

*Embossing:  Crafters Companion Christmas Wishes

*Challenges:  Freshly Made Sketches #661

*My Favourite Hop - Instagram Creator*

 This week I'm playing again with the My Favourite Instagram Hop...  for this week, we were to choose a favourite Instagram creator and make a card in their style.  I absolutely LOVE Cecile Ribon's clean and simple creations and I chose one of her cards to emulate.  I changed it up a little bit, but the essence of her design is still there.

First, here is her card (that you can find on her Instagram):

And here is what I created...  as you can see, I sent with snowflakes instead of tress, kept the colour palette (although my kraft cardstock looks more yellow than hers... I might need to find something better!).  I like the size of her white panel more than mine... I think there is too much white along the bottom of mine and makes the card more off-balanced.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Crumb Cake

*Stamps:  Simon Says Stamp Christmas Blessings

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Gina Marie Snowflake Border

But wait.... there's more!

As I was typing up this blog post, I realized just how much I didn't love my take on Cecile's beautiful card... so I quickly put together another one.... and I LOVE it!

Card Info

*Cardstock:  MFT SnoCone

*Stamps:  Simon Says Stamp Fine Line Christmas

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Gina Marie Snowflake Border

*CASE It Hop*

 Welcome to the first in a monthly series... an Instagram Hop with a few online friends where we each find a paper crafting project on Instagram and we CASE it.  Wait... you don't know that that means?  CASE stands for Copy and Share Everything.  Basically, we are going to take a creation by someone else and make our own creation that is inspired by that original.  We don't want to copy it exactly, but we want to put our own little twist on it to make it our own idea.

First, this is the card I was inspired by... It's made by the owner of Uniko (go check out their Instagram!)

And now for the card I made, inspired by this card.  You can see that I took the idea of the card, changed the colours, changed the word, changed the graphic... and added my signature coloured mat.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  unknown shimmer; unknown glitter; Lawn Fawn Iridescent

*Stamps:  Simon Says Stamp Joyful Greetings

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Stampin' Up! Playful Alpha; Picket Fence Studio Winter Snowflakes

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  Simply Clean and Simple November; Word Power #11

*Addicted to CAS #271*

It's a snowy challenge at Addicted to CAS, and I was excited to play with it!  You know me and love of all things snowflake (unless it's actually snowing... then not so much!)

There are a lot of ways I could have gone with this theme, but I settled on a mostly monochromatic card.  I had to add a little sparkle, of course!

Card Info

*Cardstock: unknown silver glitter

*Stamps:  Mama Elephant Jingle Greetings
*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Embossing:  Sizzix/Tim Holtz

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  Addicted to CAS #271; Simply Clean and Simple

*Sending Sunshine Instagram Hop*

 Each month, a group of us gather together on Instagram to share cards of encouragement.  We have no themes, we have no rules.  We are just posting cards that might catch your eye and give you the little boost you need today.

I went with a more graphic looking card for my creation to share today...  no flowers to be found LOL!  Although my sentiment comes from a floral set of stamps!

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin Up! Marina Mist, Midnight Muse, Gumball Green, Basic Black

*Stamps:  Altenew Graceful Gardenias

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Stampin' Up! Playful Alphabet; Pinkfresh Studio Slim Strips

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*{BYSHC} Sketch #51*

 There's a new sketch up at Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers, just waiting for you to play!  I LOVE this sketch and how versatile it is...

I saw this sketch and knew immediately what I wanted to do with my first card...  I hope you like it!

Card Info

*Cardstock:  unknown shimmer; Lawn Fawn Iridescent

*Stamps:  Simon Says Stamp Christmas Blessings

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Hero Arts Snowflake Cluster

*Embossing:  Simon Says Stamp Snowflake Visions

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  {BYSHC} #51; Addicted to Stamps and More #480

*CAS on Friday #296*

We have a birthday themed challenge at CAS on Friday... I had to switch gears out of Christmas Cards to make this card (as well as another I'll share tomorrow) which was kind of hard to do!  I had some new to me patterned paper on my desk and I decided to figure out a way to make this busy pattern work for a clean and simple card...

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Gorgeous Grape

*Paper:  Stampin' Up! Hues of Happiness

*Stamps:  Gina K Fancy Greetings Mini

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Gina Ki Fance Greetings Mini

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  CAS on Friday #296

*Time Out Challenges #276*

It's time for a new challenge at Time Out Challenges... and for the next two weeks we are encouraging you to show us your cozy cards!  You can interpret this however you'd like, as long as we can see how your card is "cozy".

I pulled out some ugly Christmas sweaters and a cable knit embossing folder to make my card.  These sweaters were a 12x12 piece of paper from Photoplay... I bought a couple of them and used my Brother Scan 'n Cut to cut them all out.  

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Shaded Spruce

*Paper:  Photoplay Tulla & Norbert's Christmas Party

*Stamps:  Mama Elephant Jingle Greetings

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Embossing:  Stampin' Up! Cable Knit

*Tools: Perfect Layers; Brother Scan 'n Cut

*Etc:  foam adhesive

*Challenges:  Time Out #276

*CAS Colours & Sketches #548*

Happy Day, crafty friends!  It's time for a new colour challenge at CAS Colours & Sketches.  This is a fabulous colour palette if you are looking at getting started on your Christmas cards.  I've been doing Christmas cards for a few weeks now... my most favourite reason to make cards!

I decided that these were perfect elf colours...  so I combined products from a few different companies to create a fun card for you today.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Real Red, Shy Shamrock, Shaded Spruce

*Stamps:  Catherine Pooler Nice List; Stampin' Up! Christmas Means More

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne; Memento Tuxedo Black; Copics

*Dies:  MFT Stitched Rectangles

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  CC&S #548