*Spring Into Christmas Linky Party*

 Another card to share with you today for the Spring Into Christmas Linky Party!  I just got this fun die in the mail and wanted to use it!  To create the snow, I used a chunky embossing powder and sprinkled it on to the blue panel.  I then applied heat to it with my heat tool from under the paper (instead of on top).  It just melts in to place.  Just be careful that you don't scorch your cardstock!@

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Spellbinders Windy; Stampin' Up! Basic Black

*Stamps:  Picket Fence Studio Fancy Christmas Sentiments

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  The Ton Santa's Sleigh

*Etc:  Stampendous Deep Impression Embossing Enamel

*Challenges:  Spring Into Christmas Holiday Linky Party

*Birthday Bounce Instagram Hop*

 This month on the Birthday Bounce Instagram Hop, we are playing with the theme of "animals".  We gather each month on Instagram to share birthday cards following this common theme.

I am deep in to my Christmas card making stash these days so I pulled out a Christmas set and added a cold birthday greeting!

To create my snowy sky, I used a chunk embossing powder that I sprinkled on the front of my panel and then I heated it from below so it would melt without blowing away.  I created my snowy hill by simply tearing a piece of cardstock.

Card Info
*Stamps:  Kraftin' Kimmie It's Penguining to Look a Lot Like Christmas; MFT Polar Penguins

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

*Etc:  Stampendous Chunky White embossing powder; foam adhesive

*White on White Instagram Hop*

 Today I'm sharing my July card for the White on White Instagram Hop... this month our theme is birthday.

I am loving having an excuse each month to play with white on white cards...  they are a challenge, but in a good way!  Remember, if you want to try white on white, layers and texture are your friends!  Otherwise it all just looks flat.  I used a vellum shadow layer under the sentiment to help it stand out just a bit... and layered up a couple of the "birthday" words to help with that as well.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Vellum

*Stamp:  Stampendous Big Words Happy

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Create a Smile Birthday

*Embossing:  Stampin' Up! Dotted Circles

*CAS on Friday #307*

 The current challenge at CAS on Friday is to use a stencil... I find that that can be challenging while keeping a card clean and simple... I played with some soft ink colours and a fun daisy stencil.  To keep it more clean and simple, I overlapped by sentiment with my stencilling.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black

*Stamps:  Stampendous Big Words Happy
*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne; Catherine Pooler Martini, Glitz

*Stencil:  A Colourful Life Designs Daisies

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Embellishments:  Crystal Stickles
*Challenges:  CAS on Friday #307

*This or That Instagram Hop*

It's time for a new This or That hop over on Instagram.  Today we had the choice between ornaments or gifts.  I don't have a lot of this discontinued paper left, but I decided to highlight it on a card for today.  I added some reverse hot foiled side bars and a shiny gold sentiment.

Card Info

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

*Paper:  Stampin' Up! All is Bright

*Stamps:  Simon Says Stamp Joyful Greetings

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Stampendous Christmas Bright

*Foiling Plates:  Pinkfresh solid; Spellbinders Twilight Sparkle Strip
*Foil:  Spellbinders gold

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Combining Challenges*

 I'm combining a few challenges with my card today...  I found a new challenge called Word Power where the focal point of your card should be the sentiment.  I will play along with them again, for sure as I am not 100% convinced that this card fits the bill.  I am also playing along with the colour challenge at Color Throwdown.

To get the different shades of blue, I used the same colour but blended a different amount of ink on the three different stencils that I used.  I ended up with a medium blue as the lrger flowers, the medium flowers in a really light ink and the small flowers in the darkest ink.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Crumb Cake

*Images:  Stampendous Big Words Happy

*Ink:  Catherine Pooler Sand Castle, Hot Tub, Stone Blue; Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Stencils:  MFT Flower Fusion
*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  Color Throwdown #778; Word Power #2

*Christmas Craft Creations June Challenge*

You still have a few weeks to play along with the June challenge at Christmas Craft Creations.  We want to see your creations using heat embossing this month!  I'm also playing along with the current challenge of an embossed background at Inkspirational

I love making snow with some thick embossing powder.... I simply sprinkle it on the top of the cardstock and heat it from underneath.  The powder melts in to the cardstock a bit so it doesn't come off.  I don't use any ink... just the chunky embossing powder and heat.

Card Info

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

*Images:  Simon Says Stamp Clean Line Christmas

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Picket Fence Studios Santa's Snowy Hills

*Etc:  Stampendous Deep Impression Embossing Enamel

*Tools:  heat tool; Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  Christmas Craft Creations June; Inkspirational #292

*Festive Holiday Wishes*

A few years ago I made a lot of Christmas cards using kraft cardstock.... and then that package of cardstock has sat in my stash, hardly being touched.  I was inspired by a card I saw on a FB group and put this card together... I love the snow in the kraft coloured sky with a bunch of white all around it.

To create the snow, I sprinkled Stampendous Chunky White Embossing Powder on my card panel and heated it from below.  It melts in place and creates this great look!

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Crumb Cake

*Images:  Mama Elephant Jingle Greetings

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  unknown stitched border; MFT Stitched Rectangles; Catherine Pooler Jolly Trees

*Etc:  foam adhesive

*Taking Inspiration*

 When I create, sometimes I come up with ideas on my own and sometimes I get inspiration from Pinterest or Instagram.  And when I share my cards for others to see, I have no problem with others taking inspiration from what I've created.  If I worried about it, I wouldn't share.  It's nice to get credit, but it's not necessary.  I hope that's how others feel as well.

For my card today I did get inspiration elsewhere... I don't have the exact card to link to, but I saw a pin that pointed to THIS BLOG and decided to make one similar to it.  You can also find Debby on Pinterest if you want more inspiration!

Thanks for the inspiration Debby!

I bought this paper a LOT of years ago and I tend to hoard it because I like it so much.  I'm getting close to running out which makes me a little sad... but then I see a card turn out the way I wanted it to and I don't feel so sad any more!

To create the snow flurry on the bottom of the card, I used some chunky white embossing powder.  I sprinkled it (without ink) on the front of a white panel and then heated it from underneath with my heat tool, being careful to not get too close (which is easy to do since you can't really see).  You have to hold that cardstock pretty still and honesty there's no good way to do anything but random, but I really like how it looks.

Card Info
*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Old Olive; silver foil, shimmer blue; sparkle silver
*Paper:  Best Creation Winter Wonderful
*Images:  Taylored Expressions Simple Strips Christmas
*Dies:  Taylored Expressions Simple Strips, Simple Strips Backer; Stampin' Up! Sounds of the Season
*Embellishments:  Christmas Red Stickles
*Etc:  Stampendous Chunky White embossing Powder; foam adhesive

*Time Out Challenges #226*

There's a new challenge at Time Out Challenges...  this time it's a quote challenge.  We'd love to see your creation and hope you'll share them with us HERE!

This was a difficult quote for me to interpret in to a card.  I held on to the words "heart" and "formidable" and made a big heart...

I started by cutting a heart out of a piece of printer paper and using the negative to stencil a heart off the edge of my front panel.  I left that paper stencil in place and used a slight different colour over to put the pattern from another stencil over the heart.

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Poppy Parade

*Images:  Stampendous Big Words Happys

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocture; Tim Hotlz Picked Raspberry, Candied Apple

*Dies:  Hero Arts Infinity Hearts

*Stencils:  Paper Rose Big Drops

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Challenges:  Time Out Challenges #226

*CAS Colours & Sketches #480*

There's a new sketch challenge at CAS Colours & Sketches today.... remember you can rotate or flip this sketch if you want, as long as the essence of the sketch is seen in your card.  Share your creations with us HERE as we love to see what everyone else comes up with!

A friend asked for a bunch of thank you cards last week so I of course made her some!  I love the little pop of patterned paper with this sketch... proving you *can* use patterned paper in a clean and simple design!

Card Info

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Bumblebee

*Patterned Paper:  Stampin' Up! Flower and Field

*Images:  Stampendous Big Words Thanks

*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Simon Says Stamp Big Thanks

*Challenges:  CAS Colours & Sketches #480

*Time Out Challenges #217*

Time Out Challenges is back with a great new challenge... this time we want you to be inspired by being kind!  Our sponsor for this challenge is CAS-ual Friday stamps.

I got these wonderful new dies from Paper Rose and couldn't wait to play with them.  I love how they look cut out of the gold foil cardstock!

Card Info

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

*Images:  Simon Says Stamp Big Thanks Words; Stampendous Big Words Thanks
*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne

*Dies:  Paper Rose Little Etched Butterflies; Stampin' Up! Layering Ovals; Lawn Fawn Everyday Sentiment Banners
*Challenges:  Time Out #217

*Bright Lights

I honestly don't remember buying this Simon Says Stamp stamp... it's a big, red rubber background stamp of Christmas lights.  I love it, but why would I buy it when I hate colouring??!! But I found it in my stash this year so I must have purchased it at some point???

I stamped it up on some black cardstock (I need black watercolour paper) and embossed it with gold powder and then used my gem watercolours to do a quick and easy colouring... I just LOVE how these colours pop off the page!

And then the panel I coloured sat and sat and sat....

Items Used

*Cardstock:  Stampin' Up! Basic Black; unknown blue brushed metallic

*Images:  Simon Says Stamp Outline Christmas Bulbs

*Ink:  Versamark

*Dies: Stampendous Christmas Brights

*Etc:  Stampin' Up! gold embossing powder; Kuretake Gem Watercolours

*Tools:  Perfect Layers 

*Addicted to CAS 189 Take 2*

I posted my design team card for the Addicted to CAS challenge and told you that I had made two cards (see my first one here)... so I'm back today with card #2.  You still have a few days to upload your clean and simple SNOW themed card!

Items Used:

*Cardstock:  Neenah Classic Crest Cover Solar White 110lb; Stampin' Up! Basic Black

*Images:  Stampendous

*Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black; Spectrum Noir tri-blend markers

*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Embellishments:  Nuvo Glitter Gloss

*Merry & Bright Plaid*

In my internet travels this fall, I found a card that was similar to this....  and since I am on a kick to use up some of my Christmas patterned paper, I decided to try it out.  I'm not sure my card was as successful as the original, but I still like it.

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Neenah Classic Crest Cover Solar White 110lb; Stampin' Up! glitter paper, Basic Black

*Patterned Paper:  Stampin' Up!

*Dies:  Stampendous Christmas Bright; MFT Party Lights

*Tools:  Big Shot; Perfect Layers; Heat Tool

*Etc:  white embossing powder

*Hello Friend*

You know, it feels a little strange this week....  I'm not on chemo right now.  Not a bad strange, but after 6 months of doing the same routine every two weeks, it all feels a little odd.  I am so happy to be done with treatments for now... I have no idea what my follow up care looks like yet, but for the next 8 weeks or so, I'm going to enjoy feeling a little better with every day and living life a little closer to my normal.

I have had the patterned paper I used on this card for more than a decade I think.  I have no idea who made it, but I loved it when I bought and I still do.  I have only scraps of it left at this point though.

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Neenah Solar White 110lb; Stampin' Up! Basic Black
*Patterned Paper:  no idea... it's OLD!
*Images:  Stampendous Big Words Thanks
*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne
*Embellishments:  Studio Katia Sparkling Crystals
*Tools:  Perfect Layers

*Anniversary Card*

Back in March I had a text from a friends' husband.... he and his wife had been talking about stuff and she told him that I make cards.  I had a message from him a day later, asking if I could please make a card from him to give to his wife for their 20th wedding anniversary.  Of course I said yes.

But all of this came during that first week of self-isolation in Calgary so I made the card, he said he'd come by and I said I'd leave it taped to the front door.  About an hour later he texted me that he was here and there was nothing taped to the door.  Either the wind (which was blowing pretty good) grabbed it and took it away or someone else came up to our door and took the card.  I'm hoping for the wind.  So, while he waited in his truck, I took 25 minutes to recreate the card for him.

I'm happy to report that his wife loved the card... she said she knew I'd made it as soon as she saw the front of it.  I am so happy to have been a part of their 20th anniversary!

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Neenah Solar White; Stampin' Up! Basic Black; silver glitter
*Images:  Taylored Expressions Simple Strips Background; Stampendous Big Words Happy
*Ink:  Versafine Clair Nocturne
*Dies:  Taylored Expressions Simple Strips, Simple Strips Backer; Hero Arts Infinity Heart
*Tools:  Gemini Jr; Misti; Perfect Layers
*Embellishments:  Lawn Fawn Liquid Stardust; Nuvo Shimmer pen

*More Scraps*

Bonnie was here a few weeks ago we went through my little dish of scrap die cuts.... she gave me permission to throw things out.... but instead I made a card.  I don't love it, but it's OK.

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  Neenah Solar White 110lb; Stampin' Up! Barely Banana, Almost Amethyst
*Images:  Stampendous Big Words Thanks
*Ink:  Stampin' UP! Almost Amethyst; VersaFine Clair Nocturne
*Dies:  MFT Stitched Blooms; Studio Katia Fancy Circle (just the circle)
*Tools:  Gemini Jr; Stampin' Up sponge

*Thanks For All You've Done*

Another of the thank you cards that my friend asked me to make for her.... 

I started out blending Catherine Pooler inks on white cardstock and setting it aside to dry for a bit before cutting out the word "thanks".  I love this black and white striped paper from MFT to add a little interest to cards.  I stamped and embossed the rest of the sentiment from a Stampendous set on black cardstock with white embossing powder.  I set it all off with a purple layer using my Perfect Layers Tool.

Items Used:
*Cardstock:  from my stash
*Images:  Stampendous Big Words Thanks
*Ink:  Versamark; Catherine Pooler Rockin' Red, Orange Twist, Tiara, Lime Rickey, Something Borrowed, Flirty Fuschia
*Dies:  Simon Says Stamp Big Thanks
*Paper:  My Favorite Things Black & White Stripes
*Tools:  Picket Fence Studios Life Changing Blender Brushes; heat tool; Perfect Layers Tool; Big Shot
*Etc:  White embossing powder;  Lawn Fawn Glitter Pen

*Big Happy Birthday*

Happy Birthday to ME!  Yup, today is my birthday.  The last one in my 40s.  I have no idea how I am 49... my mind is still in my 20s. 

When I was working on my CASology challenge card a few weeks ago, I cut out the two A Jillian Vance flowers using scrap pieces of cardstock that were on my desk to see how the two pieces would look together... and I ended up loving the colour combination!  So instead of throwing them out, I decided to make a card.

I truly wasn't sure about the sentiment I chose... I thought it would look ok but I hemmed and hawed about it for a while. And then I couldn't decide what ink to use.  In the end, I am quite happy with how it turned out.

Items Used
*Cardstock:  unknown white, Stampin' Up! Berry Burst and Lemon Lime Twist
*Ink:  VersaFine Clair Nocturn
*Stamps:  Stampendous Big Words Happy
*Dies:  A Jillian Vance Design Open Daisy and Daisy; MFT Stitched Blooms
*Tools:  Big Shot, Perfect Layers Tool
*Embellishment:  adhesive pearl