*CAS Colours & Sketches #595*

 How is it already the end of September?!  I am still not ready for summer to be over (and yet, here we are).  Sigh...

Anyway... it's time for a fun new sketch at CAS Colours & Sketches!

When I saw this sketch by Rachel, All I could think of was snowflakes... so I went with it!

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stardust Shimmer in two shades of blue (so old in my stash!!!)

*Stamps:  Gina K Holiday Wreath Builder

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Impression Obsession Snowflakes; Waffle Flower Nesting Circles, Additional Circles

*Challenges:  CC&S #595

*{BYSHC} Sketch #73 Take 2*

Good morning creative friends...  time to share my second (and final card) using the September sketch at Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers.  Christmas will be here before we know it... are your cards ready?

I was totally in love with my first card...  this one, not so much.  I'm trying to get more brave and use up different pattern papers in my stash.  I am so inspired by Crystal and the gorgeous cards she makes with pattern paper... I just don't have the same eye as she does.

This paper is SUPER old in my stash...

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Lawn Fawn holographic

*Paper:  Doodlebug Frosty Friends
*Stamps:  The Ton Easy Expressions Holiday

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Hero Arts Snowflake Cluster; The Ton Easy Expressions Holiday

*Challenges:  Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers #73

*Crushing Christmas Instagram Hop*

 This month, my friends and I are playing with a monochromatic theme for the Crushing Christmas Instagram Hop... I bought this embossing folder a few months ago and had to see what it looked like so I embossed it almost as soon as I brought it home.  And then it sat on my desk.  Until now!

I left the embossed panel completely plain and added a simple stamped and die cut sentiment to it...

Card Info

*Stamps:  Simon Says Stamp Star Flakes

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Simon Says Stamp Star Flakes
*Embossing:  Lisa Horton Winter Flowers

*Etc:  foam adhesive

*{BYSHC} Sketch #73*

 It's September and time for a new sketch at Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers.  I love seeing how everyone interprets these sketches every month...

I had just gotten this new stamp and die set in the mail and I couldn't wait to play with it!  I love how crisp this snowflake stamped up!  I LOVE how this card turned out... not quite as thrilled with my second card that you'll see in a few weeks.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black

*Paper:  American Crafts
*Stamps:  MFT Christmas Wishes; Simon Says Stamp Christmas Star Flakes
*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  MFT Christmas Wishes; Simon Says Stamp Christmas Star Flakes

*Embossing:  Simon Says Stamp Snowflake Visions

*Challenges:  BYSHCardmakers Sketch #73

*{BYSHC} #72 Take 2*

 I'm here today to share with you my second and final card using the August Sketch at Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers.

First, here's the sketch...

My first card was SUPER clean and simple...  this card is totally not LOL!  But it does use my favourite Christmas themed pattern paper!  It's a little too busy for my personal taste, but I do still like it.  Maybe I should have done the die cut word in black?

Card Info

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

*Paper:  Stampin' Up! Tidings of Christmas

*Dies:  Hero Arts Joy Stamp n Cut

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  BYSHCardmakers #72

*{BYSHC} Sketch #72

 How on earth is it August already??!!!??  Why do the summer months fly by so fast and winter seems to last forever?

Anyway, there's a fabulous new sketch for you to use to get going on your Christmas cards over at Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers.

When I saw this sketch, I immediately had this idea ..,. and while it's not exactly the sketch, I think it's pretty darn close.  I LOVE how clean and simple this is!  This die was just absolutely perfect for this sketch!

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black; silver mirror

*Stamps:  Alex Syberia Christmas Wishes

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Birch Press Drifting Snowflake

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  BYSHCardmakers Sketch #72; Addicted to Stamps & More; Just Add Ink

*CAS on Friday #339*

 Happy Friday, my friends!  So hard to believe we're nearing the end of July already!  It feels like summer just started but I can already tell that the sun is spending less time with us!  

It's time for a new challenge at CAS on Friday.  For challenge #339, we are playing with FLOWERS.  I decided to incorporate this challenge with my final card for the Christmas in July Linky Party so my flower is a pointsettia.  I am SO thrilled with how this clean and simple card turned out.  I added just a little sparkle with some glitter paper that I think made all the difference...

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Cherry Cobbler, Evening Evergreen; unknown gold glitter

*Stamps:  Concord & 9th Winter Greenery

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Spellbinders Christmas Blooms

*Etc:  gold cord; gold flat backed gem

*Challenges:  CAS on Friday #339; BYSHCardmakers Christmas in July; Addicted to Stamps & More

   

*This or That Instagram Hop*

 This week for the This or That Instagram Hop, we got to choose between ice skates or roller skates.  Since I've been busy making some Christmas cards this week, I chose ice skates.  I have this cute set of stamps that has giraffes on skates.  I got to pull out my Copics for a little simple colouring again too!

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black

*Stamps:  MFT Giraffes on Ice; Penguin Palace Magical Christmas Sentiments

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

*Etc:  Stampin' Up! Wonderful Snowflakes

*Challenges:  BYSHCardmakers Christmas in July

*Rainbow Connection Instagram Hop*

 I am combing the Rainbow Connection Instagram Hop with a card for the BYSHCardmakers Linky Party today...  What's better that some rainbow snowflakes?!  I cut the snowflakes out of pattern paper and am in love with how they turned out.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Granny Apple Green

*Paper:  Paper Rose Studio Rainbow Twirl 2.0

*Stamps:  Lawn Fawn Simply Winter Sentiments

*Ink:  Verafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Impression Obsession Small Snowflakes, Snowflakes

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  BYSHCardmakers Christmas in July

*Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers Christmas in July Holiday Linky Party*

 I'm back with another Christmas card to share with you today... have you been playing along with the Christmas in July Holiday Linky Party??!!  There are so many fabulous prizes to be won!

For today, it's all pattern paper and a little gold cord...

Card Info

*Paper:  Stampin' Up! Modern Christmas

*Challenges:  BYSHCardmakers Christmas in July

*Pattern Paper Instagram Hop*

 I am in love with the simplicity of the card I'm sharing today, a card I made following the Christmas in July theme for the Pattern Paper Instagram Hop... I used some simple embossed lines, a simple die and some pretty pattern papers... 

Card Info

*Paper:  Carta Bella Merry & Bright

*Stamps:  Penguin Palace Magical Christmas Sentiments

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Catherine Pooler Jolly Trees; Penguin Palace Magical Christmas Sentiments

*Tools:  Scor-Buddy
*Challenges:  BYSHCardmakers Christmas in July

*Crushing Christmas Intagram Hop*

 This month for the Crushing Christmas Instagram Hop, we are playing with the theme of silver and gold.  I'm not one to mix my metals so I chose to play with some silver mirrored cardstock and some snowflakes.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  silver mirror

*Stamps:  The Ton Easy Expressions Holiday

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Memory Box Telluride Snowflake; The Ton Easy Expressions Holiday

*Embossing:  Simon Says Stamp Snowflake Visions

*Challenges:  BYSHCardmakers Christmas in July Linky Party

*Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #691*

 This is a fun new sketch at Atlantic Hearts that starts today...

I struggled quite a bit with getting the sizes of the the rectangles "just right" so I cheated a bit by using a full panel of pattern paper and dividing it with strips of red cardstock.  I kinda like how this one turned out...

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Cherry Cobbler

*Paper:  Stampin' Up! Tidings of Christmas

*Stamps:  Taylored Expressions Simple Strips

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Taylored Expressions Simple Strips, Simple Strips Backer; MFT Stitched Rectangles; Pinkfresh Slim Strips

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  BYSHCardmakers Christmas in July ; Atlantic Hearts Sketch #691

*Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers Christmas in July Linky Party*

 I'm sharing another card for the Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers Christmas in July Linky Party... I have had a blast making a bunch of Christmas cards in the last few days!

Today I pulled out some pretty paper...

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Handsome Hunter; gold foil

*Paper:  Stampin' Up! Modern Christmas

*Stamps:  The Ton Easy Expressions Christmas

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocture

*Dies:  unknown star; The Ton Easy Expressions Christmas

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenge:  BYSHCardmakers Christmas in July

*{BYSHC} Sketch #71 Take 2*

 It's already the middle of July and we are in the midst of the Christmas in July Holiday Linky Party... and I'm sharing my second design team card using Sketch #71 at Build Your Stash Holiday Card Makers.

First, the sketch...

Most months I try to make one of my cards somewhat more fresh and clean (I can't call them clean and simple) by using less pattern paper... but since I'm trying to use more pattern paper out of my stash, I decided this sketch deserved two cards that use up some of those papers that keep getting ignored for my favourites.

Card Info

*Paper:  Carta Bella Merry & Bright

*Stamps:  Simon Says Stamp Christmas Blessings

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne
*Dies:  Simon Says Stamp Christmas Blessings

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  BYSHCardmakers Sketch #71; BYSHCardmakers Linky Party

*Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers Christmas in July Linky Party*

 WOW!  That title is a mouthful!  But it's worth every word because today marks the start of the fabulous Christmas in July Holiday Linky Party!  Yup, that's right!  One full week of lots of holiday card inspiration.  And for every card you upload, you have a chance to win one of the wonderful draw prizes from one our fabulous sponsors!!!

It was fun to focus on Christmas cards for a few weeks to prepare for this party... I hope you'll have fun digging in to your Christmas stash too!

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up Handsome Hunter

*Paper:  Stampin' Up! Modern Christmas; unknown gold sparkle

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

*Dies:  The Ton Easy Expressions Holiday

*Embossing:  Sizzix Christmas Tree Pattern

*Challenges:  Build Your Stash Holiday Cardmakers Christmas in July

*This or That Instagram Hop*

 This week for the This or That Instagram Hop, we had to choose between sandcastle and snowman...

Was there even a choice here?  Of course I had to play with the snowman theme!

Card Info
*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black, Cherry Cobbler, Only Orange

*Stamps:  The Ton Easy Expressions Holiday

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  MFT Filled With Joy; The Ton Easy Expressions Holiday
*Embossing:  Simon Says Stamp Snowflake Visions

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*{BYSHC} Sketch #71

 Happy July everyone, and a Happy Canada Day to my fellow Canadians!  

I am here with my first design team card using the July sketch at Build Your Stash Holiday Card Makers...  I look forward to seeing how this sketch inspires your holiday card making...

I have been trying to use some more of the pattern papers that I tend to ignore, inspired by our very own Crystal Minkler who uses pattern paper so effectively!  I wonder though, if the buffalo plaid was too bold of a choice for this sketch...

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black

*Paper:  Echo Park My Favorite Christmas

*Stamps:  Alex Syberia Christmas Sentiments

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Alex Syberia Christmas Sentiments

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  BYSHCardmakers #71

*CAS on Friday #337*

 We have a Christmas in July (well it's June) challenge at CAS on Friday!  You all know how much I LOVE making Christmas cards!

I kept this card super simple, using a couple of scraps of pattern paper as well as a little bling to create my card.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Real Red, Gumball Green; unknown gold sparkle

*Paper:  Stampin' Up! Peaceful Prints

*Stamps:  Alex Syberia Merry Mail

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  MFT Holly Berries

*Embellishments;  Unknown

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  CAS on Friday #337

*Crushing Christmas Instagram Hop*

 This month, our theme for the Crushing Christmas Instagram Hop is Snazzy Snowmen.  Of course I had to play!  I LOVE snowmen!!  I chose to play with a foiled snowflake that I had in my bin of extras as well as this adorable little snowman.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black

*Stamps:  Mama Elephant Little Snowmen; Alex Syberia Christmas Sentiments

*Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black; Versafine Clair Nocturne; Copics
*Foil Plate:  Pinkfresh Studio Snowflakes
*Foil:  Spellbinders Iridescent

*Etc:  foam adhesive

*Tools:  Perfect Layers