Believe In The Magic

Happy New Year!  I'm getting ready to watch New Year's Rockin' Eve with the hubs, and thought I'd get in one last card for the blog for 2016.  

I'm far out of my comfort level here, as I am a color-lover.  Brown isn't generally in my palette, unless I'm creating an outdoor scene, or coloring an animal that is brown.   But, when I saw that the Penny Black Saturday Challenge was winter or Christmas, I decided to use this beautiful PB tree stamp.  I thought it would be fun to stamp it onto kraft colored card stock.  Brown inks naturally seemed to follow.

The stamps are Penny Black.  The tree is one from my stash that I had removed from the block, so I do not know it's name or number.  The snowflakes on the background are from the PB Season's Gifts 30-316 clear set, and the verse is from the PB Believe 30-310 clear set.

I adhered the tree to some brown mulberry paper, and used craft foam to give it dimension before adding it to the stamped panel.

Although it does not show in the picture, I used the Spectrum Noir clear glitter pen to add lots of shimmer to the tree and snow flakes.  In real life, it just shimmers and shines. 

In addition to the Penny Black Saturday Challenge, I am adding this card to the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge. 

Thank you so much for stopping in tonight.  Now, I'm off to pop some corn, pour some wine, and watch the new year come in through the magic of tv.  Warm, cozy, safe, and with my hubby.  We sure know how to party, don't we?  

Blessings,

lynda

 

So Sorry Sympathy Card

Like many others, I'm battling a nasty cold, and getting cranky and itching to be out and about.  But, indoors I stay, keeping warm, drinking tea, water, taking my vitamins and sleeping...a lot!  Most importantly, I'm not sharing my germs.  Just in case there is someone out there who is not sick!

So, of course, my craft room is where I long to be when I'm stuck indoors.  I need to catch up on some thank you cards, and, sadly, a couple of sympathy cards.  I just finished this sympathy card, which I will send out today.

Stamps:  My Favorite Things Delicate Pretty Poppies clear
Die:  Our Daily Bread Double Stitched Circles
Tombow markers
Tim Holtz distress ink

For the floral panel, I stamped two of the poppies from the clear set, masking and inking with antique linen distress ink, so the lines would disappear when I colored them.  I watercolored the poppies and leaves with Tombow markers and a watercolor brush, laying color down with the marker, then spreading it with the wet brush.  I spattered the background with Tombow ink and a wet brush.

I cut the circle using partial die cutting, as seen in Jennifer McGuire's video HERE .  Then I fussy-cut around the flowers, then taped some specialty mulberry paper behind the opening, and adhered it to a green A2 card, using craft foam for dimension.  I stamped the sentiment onto a green scrap, and adhered it.  That's it.  

I am adding my card to these challenges:

Stamp, Ink, Paper Challenge - Anything but Christmas

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything goes

Thank you for visiting. 

Be blessed,

lynda 




   

Live Each Season Winter Card

I took a couple of weeks off to enjoy my family and friends for the holidays, and I have missed my craft room.  It had served as a 'catch all' for things this past three weeks....excess wrapping paper, ribbons, gifts, tags, a quick place to stash stuff when unexpected guests arrive, etc.  So, last night before I went to bed, I cleaned it.  It was ready and waiting for me this morning, and all I had to do was sit down and play.  And play I did!  

 I adore this little snowman.  He's so happy in his element.  And he just expresses the sentiment so well!  For this card I used:
Stamps:  Serendipity snowman 954C, Serendipity phrase 1003#
Stencil:  Simon Says Stamp Falling Snow
Dies:  Double stitched rectangles (Our Daily Bread Designs), Curved borders two (Spellbinders)
Inks:  Tim Holtz distress inks tumbled glass, salty ocean, shaded lilac, wilted violet; ColorBox white pigment ink
Other:  Spectrum Noir clear sparkle brush; Winter Wonderland embossing powder, Stardust embossing powder.
 
I die cut watercolor paper with the double stitched border die, then created the snow hill by cutting with the curved borders die.  I created the background using the distress inks and water, with the smoosh technique.  Then I distressed the edge with the shaded lilac ink. 

The phrase is embossed with dark blue pigment ink, then embossed with stardust sparkly embossing powder.  I created the snow with the falling snow stencil, white pigment ink, and winter wonderland embossing powder. 

I stamped the snowman, then watercolored him with distress inks, fussy cut him out, and added him to the card front, using dimensional tape.  

For extra sparkle, I used the Spectrum Noir sparkle pen on the snowman and the snow, as well as along the second stitched border.  It really sparkles like crazy in real life.  Couldn't capture it in the photo very well.   

I am adding my card to these challenges:

Serendipity Stamps Challenge - # 62 Sparkle
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Anything goes
Allsorts Challenge Blog - Blue Bingo (distress edges, blue and purple, no pattern paper)
Addicted To Stamps Challenge - Snowflakes
Cards In Envy - Celebrate the season

Thank you so much for stopping by.  Best wishes to you for a happy, healthy and peaceful new year!

Blessings,

lynda 

Warm Wishes Wobbly Snowman Card

I don't mind saying, I've fallen in love with Action Wobble springs and the snowmen from the Art Impressions stamp and die snowman set.  They just scream to be used together.  So....

I had to make a card from them!  I am going to send this to my little great-niece...she will enjoy the wobbling snowman.

I stamped the snowman onto white Copic-friendly card stock, and colored it with Copic markers.  I used an Action Wobble spring to adhere it to a die-cut oval, which I had stenciled snowflakes from the Simon Says Stamp Falling Snow stencil, using white ColorBox pigment ink.  I also stenciled the snow onto a red panel (they turned pink when they dried, but I kind of like the look), and layered all the pieces onto an A2 card, which I had embossed with the Darice snowflake embossing plate.  The verse on the tag is from the same snowman set, and I embossed it with white embossing powder.

A little glittery shimmer from my Crystal clear sparkle pen from Spectrum Noir on the punched snowflakes and the snowman finish off the card.

I am adding my card today to these challenges:

Art Impressions Stamps Challenge - Shake a little

Addicted to Stamps Challenge - Use die cuts/punches with stamps

Mojo Monday Challenge - Sketch   

Addicted to Stamps and More Challenge - Make your mark

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Anything goes

Mod Squad Challenge Blog - Holiday dimension

Lil Red Wagon challenge - Chilly friends

My Favorite Things Color Challenge - Red, green, aqua, pink


I'm so glad you stopped in today.  Thanks for visiting, and leaving your comments.  I wish you could see this little snowman jiggle when you touch it!  Too cute!  I hope my great-niece likes her card as much as I had fun creating it.

Blessings,

lynda

Christmas Berries Card

I am loving this berries branch from Penny Black Stamps!  I have used it for fall cards, and also used it for some of my Christmas cards this year.  I went with non-traditional colors of wine and copper.....

The stamp is Penny Black's slapstick cling berry merry christmas 40-346.  The verse is also Penny Black, from their clear set believe 30-310.

I used my Misti and Tombow markers to watercolor the berry branch onto watercolor paper, then embossed the verse with copper embossing powder.  I die cut the image panel with My Favorite Things stitched rectangle die.

Around the edges of the panel, I used an ink applicator tool to rub on some copper Colorbox metallic ink, lightly.  Some white acrylic paint spattered on finished the panel.  I layered it with craft foam onto a copper paper panel, then onto a plum A2 card.

I am adding my card to these challenges:

Allsorts Challenge Blog - Anything Christmas

City Crafter Challenge Blog - Garden bliss 

simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything goes

Addicted To Stamps - Make your mark 

Time Out Challenges  Christmas with optional twist of shimmer/glitter - I used shimmer paper behind the panel.

Thanks so much for visiting today.  Be sure to take time to enjoy the holiday preparations, and relax. 

Blessings,

lynda 

 

Oh What Fun - Penny Black Card

Oh, what fun I had creating this card today.  I have been making my Christmas cards, and needed a break from the ones I am making for friends and family.  So, I decided to make one for some challenges.   Here is my card....

 

Stamps used:  

Penny Black santa hedgehog from Best Day Ever clear set 30-059

Penny Black oh what fun from believe clear set 30-310

Penny Black snowflake from season's gifts 30-316

Other:  

Spellbinders die S5-201

Copic markers

white acrylic paint

white Prismacolor pencil

clear Spectrum Noir sparkle pen

white Colorbox pigment ink

Snowflake brad

assorted cardstocks

Copic multi liner .01

Tim Holtz distress ink

Clarity stencil brush

I stamped the hedgehog onto a light gray card stock panel, and colored him with Copic markers.  I used the Copic multi liner fine pen to redraw the lines, as they got a little faded from the coloring.  

Next, I die cut the snowy hill, using the partial die cutting technique shown by Jennifer McGuire HERE

I used hickory smoke distress ink and a Clarity stencil brush to add shading, then stamped the snowflakes with white pigment ink.   I flicked some white acrylic paint mixed with a wee bit of water onto the card for more snow, and some touches of sparkle from the Spectrum Noir sparkle pen. 

I layered it with some gray card stock, then a strip of red to help balance the composition, and a white brad for whimsy. 

I think my granddaughter Kennedy will like this card.  Now I have to make one for her older sister.  I will do that next time I need a break from my regular Christmas card making again.

I am adding my card to these challenges:
 
The Daily Marker 30 day color challenge 
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday challenge  - Christmas critters
My Favorite Things color challenge  -
The Paper Players - Clean and simple Christmas
Penny Black at Allsorts - Anything Christmas
Make My Monday Challenge - Clean and simple Christmas

So, now it's back to my Christmas cards.  I am trying to finish them this week, so after Thanksgiving I can get down to the business of decorating our home for Christmas, and baking, and shopping, and wrapping.  Most of all, for taking time to sit back and relax and simply enjoy the wonder of the holiday season, and reflect on it's meaning.

Thanks for stopping in today.  

Blessings,

lynda

A Time To Give Thanks - Autumn Card

The siding contractors are just about finished with the house!  I'm so over the noise and interruptions, but thankful for the lovely new exterior on the home we have occupied for 36 years!

I am wrapping up my fall/Thanksgiving cardmaking.  I adore this time of year, and making cards in the deep fall hues and colors.  But, alas, Christmas is creeping ever closer, and I need to get cracking on those projects soon.  

For this card, I used chalk pastels, and Impression-Obsession stamps.  I started with an A2 kraft colored card, and decided I wanted to keep it one layer.  I stamped the berries with VersaMark, then used a cotton applicator to apply the color to them.  The verse was stamped with TH distress inks in walnut stain.  A white spattering of acrylic paint, some white colored pencil on the berries, and a hand-written border of thankful words complete my card today.

My card today is for these challenges:

Impression-Obsession Challenge - Thanksgiving Wishes

Cas-ual Fridays challenge - Orange, brown, and kraft colors

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Thanks/Thanksgiving

Sunday Stamps challenge  - Autumn splendor

The Daily Marker  - 30 day color challenge

Thanks so much for stopping in today.  I hope you are getting the lovely warm days that we are.  It could get up to 70 degrees tomorrow here in upstate New York!  Mid November!  We'll take it!  

Blessings,

lynda




 

Embossed Falling Leaves Card

I'm just popping in for another quick post tonight.  I wanted to get this card posted before celebrating our soon to be six year old granddaughter's birthday this weekend.

 I used an oldie but goodie leaf stamp, by Personal Stamp Exchange (remember them?) from wayyyy back.  I love this stamp, and will never let it go.  

I embossed the leaves and the Giving Thanks sentiment with gold.  The sentiment is from a Technique Tuesday clear set.
Keeping it really CAS, I layered a piece of gold paper from my stash onto some grape card stock, cutting around the T in Thanks with my craft knife so the gold panel would fit under it.  Then, I scattered the leaves and some sequins over the card front, using foam tape behind a couple of the leaves for dimension.  

That's it for today.  Happy weekend to you all! Thank you for stopping in today.

I am adding my card to:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge Thanks/Thanksgiving

Stamp, Ink, Paper  - Grateful

AAA Cards Challenge - Thanks

The Daily Marker - 30 Day color challenge

Blessings,

lynda
 

Giving Thanks Fall Card With Our Daily Bread Designs Stamps

It's the time of year when we think of family and friends, and the upcoming holidays.  I always feel especially thankful this time of year.  How blessed I am!  

Today's card focuses on thankfulness, and the One who provides us with so much to be thankful for.  The stamps I used are from Our Daily Bread Designs.  I love the simple wreath and the verses that were in this set (Pumpkin Wreath cling set ##386).  I also used an ODBD die.

I stamped the wreath onto a panel of card stock slightly smaller than an A2 card. I colored the image with Copics, then added distressing with Tim Holtz distress inks and blender tool.  

Using the ODBD die, I die cut across the card.  I used a technique I learned from Jennifer McGuire's partial die cutting video to cut just up to the wreath, then resume cutting on the other side of the wreath.  Then I fussy cut the part of the wreath that was below the die cut line.  If you would like to see how Jennifer does partial die cutting, click HERE .  

I used craft foam under the panel to give it dimension, and added it to an A2 patterned card base.  I tucked some feathers under the panel using glue dots to secure them, and some pearls for a little more texture.  I used my Copics to color the pearls to match my card.

I am adding my card to the Our Daily Bread Designs challenge .  I am also adding it to:

The Daily Marker  - 30 day color challenge

The Paper Players - Count your blessings - thankful

Mod Squad Challenge Blog  - Thankful

Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Thanks/Thanksgiving

Sunday Stamps - Color challenge

As a crew of guys are busily and noisily pounding on our house, installing much-needed siding this morning, I'm indoors where it's warm and cozy.  I'm thankful for my humble, simple home.  It is not huge, and doesn't boast the latest designer trends, but that's ok....it keeps me warm, secure, and it's a place to call ours.  And I love it, with its' eclectic decor (another word for 'I liked it...or it was free or a great bargain') and it's cozy charm.  My sunporch is my favorite room in the house.  It's sunny and bright, and my books and music are there, and my favorite comfy chair.  My family and I enjoy peace and comfort in our home.  There is no place I would rather be.

What are you thankful for this season?  Please leave a comment.  I would love to hear from you. 

Blessings,

lynda

Thanksgiving Pumpkin

I am spending the evening in my craft room to avoid the tv coverage of the elections.  It's a voluntary and necessary diversion, as I don't think I can take the stress of watching.  I'm just happily stamping and coloring, and playing in my room, and now posting on my blog.  My blood pressure thanks me!

Tonight I made a card featuring embossing and die cutting.....

Stamps:  Our Daily Bread Designs pumpkin 
               Our Daily Bread Designs Thinking of you at                         Thanksgiving from the Pumpkin Wreath set 
               Sugarloaf Products fall background stamp
Dies:  Our Daily Bread Designs pumpkin die
          Our Daily Bread Designs Layered Lace Squares die
White embossing powder
Antique Linen Tim Holtz distress ink

I stamped and embossed the pumpkin onto a scrap piece of white card stock, twice, and used the matching die to cut it out.  I then stamped and embossed the background on an A2 sized white card.  

Using antique linen ink and a Clarity brush, I distressed the outer edges of the card, and the inside square a little more intensely.  I also stamped the Thanksgiving verse, and distressed it, and cut it out into a tag shape.  

I watercolored the leaves with distress ink in greens, fussy-cut them out from the second pumpkin, and glued them onto the first pumpkin.

I cut the frame die twice and layered them together, and added them to the card base over the embossed background, using thin strips of foam tape, then added the pumpkin, using foam tape.  Then I glued the thanksgiving verse, added a crystal which I dyed orange with a permanent pen, and that was it.

Challenges to which I am adding my card:

Our Daily Bread Designs Challenge - Sketch challenge   

Cards in Envy challenge  - Just pumpkins

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Thinking of you

The Daily Marker 30 day color challenge 

So, that's it for tonight.   I have successfully avoided tv, made a card, and had some fun.  Now, it's off to read for a bit, then early to bed for me.  Thanks so much for visiting!

Blessings,

lynda