Signs of the Season

I am honored to have served as a Guest Designer for Beccy Muir at Beccy’s Place and am now one of her “Contributors” (which means that she provides me with digis or clear stamp sets several times a year and I get to create cards or other items with them!) It is always fun to see the images she invites me to use.  This time, the digi set, named Sweet Christmas is one of Beccy’s encore sets, which means it’s been part of her collection for a while but is also an old favorite… and so deserves to be highlighted! I was excited to create with this set because it is… well… SWEET! Since the image I selected and colored is pretty bold, I knew it could stand up to a bold background (which is actually made with a scrap of wrapping paper that I nabbed at after-Christmas sales last year.) Some golden sheen was added with photo corners and star stickers.  

Supplies: 
·   Digi and inside sentiment- Beccy’s Place Digital Set (Sweet Christmas)
·   Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers and Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen
·   Golden Star Stickers- Hobby Lobby
·   Pioneer Gold Photo corners- available from several sources
·   All other items from my stash.
Entered into: 
Cute Card Thursday- Challenge #666 Anything Goes
Polkadoodles Challenge-Week #52 Anything Goes                      
Outlawz Challenge- Saturday Paper Ala Mode- Christmas      
Outlawz Challenge- Inlinks Challenge

I was thrilled to win a recent challenge at Jan’s Digis and this is one of the sets that I picked. It has been so fun to use… especially since it provides both jpeg and png images! I figured out how to use my free Paint program to layer the png digi of the champagne glasses atop a wonderful freebie background image that I discovered last month. After playing around a bit I figured out how to change the transparency of the digi so that the background text shows through and absolutely LOVE the effect! Layered on gold paper, adhered to a gatefold card, and embellished with sparkly gold stars and a sweet little sentiment tag the card is wonderfully festive. What a perfect way to enter a whole new year… and kick the current one to the curb!  (Right now you can pick up this wonderful digi set for just $3.00. I think this is a really versatile set that I'll use a lot. Think weddings, 21st Bdays, retirement, job promotions... and more!) 

Supplies: 

·   Digi and Inside Sentiment- Jans Digi Stamps digital set (Happy New Year)
·   Background- Eyelet Outlet Freebie (Happy New Year’s Background) Click on the link next to the image to download it
·   Celebrate Tag- Lili of the Valley (Everyday Sentiment Tags)
·   Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers and Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen
·   Sparkly Star Stickers- made with scrapbook templates and glittery cardstock
·   All other items from my stash.
Entered into:
Jan’s Digi Stamps- December 2020 Anything Goes
Simon Says Monday Challenge- Celebrate                                     
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Sparkle and Shine
Crafty Hazelnut’s Christmas Challenge- #522 Anything Goes
Scribbles Designs Challenge- #95 Sparkle and Shine
Outlawz Challenge- Festive Fridays                                                

I planned to make a few cards for the current Time Out Photo Challenge because I love the inspiration photo! Due to the busyness of the holidays (arranged and hosted a ZOOM family meeting, put in a few 50+ hour weeks just prior to Christmas, and spent precious time watching holiday movies with my beloved hubby), I was only able to make this one card. But I really like how it turned out! Raided my scrap box for monochromatic papers, die-cut one perfect snowflake and circle of dusky blue, and printed off a freebie sentiment that was the perfect fit for the card's theme. After getting all the pieces ready for the card, I pieced and adhered the background, then turned my attention to the center of attention, Eliza (the name of the snowflake. Yes… she has a name!)  I wanted to mimic the clear balloons in the photo and considered acetate… but figured that adhering the delicate snowflake to it would be tedious and possibly tenuous.  Then I saw the box of clear self-stick laminate sheets on one of my shelves and I had my answer. I used a scrapbook template to trace a circle onto the laminate sheets backing paper that was larger than the blue circle. (I opted not to use a circle die because I feared the adhesive on the laminate would gunk it up!) After cutting the laminate circle, I flipped it sticky side up on my craft table and gently- and carefully- laid the snowflake in its center. When positioned correctly, I laid the blue circle on top of the laminate and pressed it down, sandwiching the snowflake inside and set it aside. After attaching the sentiment I positioned the snowflake onto the card front and pressed the edges of the laminate to attach it securely. TaDa! Clear balloon mimic achieved!  
I’m entering this card into several challenges including Outlawz Monday Greeting Challenge (Christmas Clean- I think that nothing can make the world look as clean and fresh as a nice layer of snow!), Pixie's  Snippets (I really enjoy this challenge as it encourages me to use the many scraps, i.e. snippets, that I just can’t stand to toss!) and The Path Of Positivity (the current challenge labeled Rejoice, is to “Create a project that depicts thankfulness or gratitude in some way.” To me a snowflake beautifully fits this theme as they remind me of the skills of the master artist, God himself, in lovingly weaving unique details into the myriad of His creations. From miniature snowflakes to human beings, each one is unique and beautiful. Being a lover of details in my work, God’s level of creativity takes my breath away. He knows each of us from the moment we came into being and we are so very precious to him! During this year of isolation and crisis, I needed to be reminded of that truth. In spite of what's happening in our lives right now, I am comforted to know that He cares deeply for each of us.)

Supplies: 

·   Snowflake Die- Simon Says Stamps (Eliza Snowflake Wafer Die)
·   Circle Die- Little B Dies
·   Front Sentiment- LoveSVG Freebie (You’re Like a Snowflake)
·   Clear Self-Stick Laminating Sheet (I use Avery brand, but the web offers other options)
·   All other items from my stash.
Entered into: 
TIME OUT Challenge- #177 Photo Inspiration 
Pixie's Snippets-Week #393
Word Art Wednesday Challenge- #470-472 Anything Goes                   
Crafty Hazelnut’s Patterned Paper Challenge- December             
Do-Al[l] Kreatives #48 Winter Wonderland
Outlawz Challenges- Monday Greeting Challenge- Christmas Clean
Outlawz Challenges- Tuesday Color Challenge- B&W + Another Colour from photo            
Path Of Positivity Challenge- Challenge #86 (Optional Twist- Rejoice)

Still Doing Christmas!

I'm still making Christmas cards... but also fitting in a few for New Years! This is one of them and it was fun to make! The current Double D challenge theme is poinsettias. I’d used this fun Bugaboo digi in a card I made last week, and decided to make another one, this time with a pink poinsettia and gold beads adhered to the flowers center with Glossy Accents. I liked the sentiment background when I stumbled upon it last month… and love that it’s a freebie!  It’s getting a lot of use this year.

Supplies: 
·   Digi- Bugaboo Stamps (Heels Poinsettia)
·   Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers and Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen
·   Sentiments- Computer Generated
·  Eyelet Outlet Freebie- (Happy New Year’s Background) Click link next to image to download it
·   Glossy Accents- used to attach gold beads
·   Star punches, beads, and other items from my stash.
Entered into:

Double D’s Challenge- Poinsettia 
Simon Says Monday Challenge- Celebrate                                     
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Sparkle and Shine
Word Art Wednesday Challenge- #470-472 Anything Goes                   
Outlawz Challenge- Festive Fridays

Outlawz Challenge- Inlinks Challenge

I love Christmas movies... so I was excited to see that the digi that Francesca created for this months Cute As A Button’s December Progressive Challenge freebie on FB is based on “A Christmas Story.” The story about an adorable boy named Ralphie reminds me of my childhood with all its quirky scenes and one that was a painful reality in my life. Back in the ‘60s I actually licked a flagpole after my older brothers dared me to do it. And yes… my tongue did stick to it and it was really painful!) The wonderful Subway Art background was a real find via web surfing. Isn’t it the perfect fit for this digi?  

Supplies: 
·   Digi - Cute As A Button (Christmas Story)
·   Red Ryder BB Gun Subway Art- Freebie from HERE
·   Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers, Sakura Gelly Roll white & silver gel pens
·   Sparkly Christmas Foliage Stickers- Hobby Lobby
·   Inside Sentiment- “Merry Little Christmas” Beccy’s Place Set (Home for The Holidays)
·   All other items from my stash.
Entered into:
Cute As A Button- DECEMBER: CH #63 Anything Goes
Cute As A Button-Facebook Progressive Freebie Challenge #43 Christmas Story
Incy Wincy Designs- Person (plus sketch and/or blue)   
Lemon Shortbread Challenge- Anything Goes #135  
Outlawz Challenge- Twisted Thursday Anything Goes 

Bugaboo Stamps- HolidayChaos- Day 7 Freebie Friday - Color Challenge 

This happy elf was the Stamper’s Delights November Progressive Challenge freebie on FB.  I wanted to make another card with the little cutie before I put my Christmas making frenzy aside… at least for a while. The little elf was fun to color and I especially like the way my beloved white gel pen helps to bring fur to life! The inside sentiment is upcycled from an old greeting card, but I cut out a portion and attached a scrap of paper to match the front of the card. (I usually try to have the inside of the card reflect the front whenever possible.) 

Supplies: 

·   Digi- Stampers Delights Digital Image (Kawaii Xmas Happy Elf)
·   Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers and Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen
·   Sparkly Christmas Foliage Stickers- Hobby Lobby
·   Front sentiment- Freebie from Birdscards (Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas)
·   Inside Sentiment- upcycled 
·   All other items from my stash.
Entered into:
Stampers Delights Progressive Challenge (FB)- Dec Challenge

Lil Patch of Crafty Friends- #148 Anything Goes
Cute Card Thursday- Challenge #666 Anything Goes
Polkadoodles Challenge-Week #51 Anything Goes                       
Crafty Hazelnut’s Christmas Challenge- #522 Anything Goes
Outlawz Challenge- Saturday Paper Ala Mode- Christmas      
Crafty Hazelnut’s Patterned Paper Challenge- December             

Outlaws GDT

After one of my entries was selected as DT favorite on a recent Challenge at Outlaws, I was

offered the chance to be a guest DT. Of course, I accepted… especially after seeing that this

adorable gnome Santa (from sponsor Katy's Card Emporium/KLM Designs) was one of the

digis that I could use. I added a bit of texture and sparkle to the fur on Santa's hat and cuffs

with a mixture of Polar Soft and ultrafine glitter. The translucent red circle under Santa is cut 

from a plastic document folder. (These folders come in a pack of assorted colors and can be

found in the office supply section of most stores and from some dollar stores! I really like

using them on my cards because they're cheaper than colored vellum and are more

translucent, can be fussy-cut with a nice, sharp pair of scissors and can be adhered to a card

with small strips of double-stick tape.)

I'm entering this into several challenges including Outlawz Wednesday Sketch (which I flipped

upside down.) 

  

Supplies: 
·   Digi- Katys Card Emporium/KLM Designs (Santa Gnome)
·   Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers and Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen
·   Inside Sentiment – Scrapbook tag from my stash
·   Background paper- Hobby Lobby
·   Furry texture created with Flower Soft Polar White you can find HERE
·   Snowflakes- Lawn Fawn LF995-Mini Snowflakes Die Set
·   All other items from my stash.
Entered into: 
Besties Challenge- December Anything Goes
Cute Card Thursday- Challenge #666 Anything Goes
Crafty Hazelnut’s Patterned Paper Challenge- December             
Outlawz Challenges- Wednesday Sketch        
Outlawz Challenge- Festive Fridays                                                
Outlawz Challenge- Inlinks Challenge

I was thrilled when Kris Breach, artist/owner of Imagine That Digi stamps started challenges

again last month! I served on Kris’ DT before she took some time off and really enjoyed

working with her. I made a card earlier this month, posted HERE, with two  sentiments from

this set. This time I used a few more sentiments and the adorable digi. I tried a technique that

is new to me… using acetate in an embossing folder… to add a a layer of clear texture atop the

card (I secured the acetate with clear photo corners.)

Supplies: 
·   Digi- Imagine That Digi Stamp set (Raymond’s Snowman)
·   Sentiments- from an Imagine That Digistamp set (Marleen’s Christmas Stocking)

      ·  Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers and Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen

      ·   Pioneer Clear Photo corners- available from several sources
·  Cuddlebug Embossing Folder- Snowflake
·   All other items from my stash.
Entered into: 
Imagine That Blog Progressive Challenge- December 
Lemon Shortbread Challenge- Anything Goes #135  
Outlawz Challenge- Twisted Thursday Anything Goes 
Polkadoodles Challenge-Week #51 Anything Goes                       
Bugaboo Stamps- Holiday Chaos - Day 2 Sketch Challenge
Di’s Digi Stamps- It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas   

The current Double D challenge theme is poinsettias. I knew I did have any stamps with this

plant/flower, but was happy to find a digi in my Beccy’s Place folder that I’d printed off a

while ago. After finishing my card, I couldn’t find the digi set on Beccy’s site… only to discover

that the plant was actually holly!  (I’m glad that I didn’t realize that before I started coloring

the plant… as I think it looks a lot like a lovely bit of Poinsettia décor. A touch of Buttercup

Liquid Pearls and a handful of sequins from my stash add some texture and glimmer to the

card.  

Supplies: 
·   Digi- Beccy’s Place Digital Stamp (Blessings of The Season)
·   Front Sentiment- “Glad Tidings” Lili of the Valley Digital Set (Christmas Wishes)
·   Inside Sentiment- Beccy’s Place Digital Stamp (Peace and Joy)
·   Striped paper- Digi Doodle Studio PAPER set (BW Classics)
·   Liquid Pearls- Buttercup
·   All other items from my stash.
Entered into: 
Double D’s Challenge- Poinsettia           
Beccy’s Place Challenge- December

            Since I’m a Contributor for Beccy’s Place, I’m entering just for fun! 

        Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Sparkle and Shine
Word Art Wednesday Challenge- #470-472 Anything Goes                   
Crafty Hazelnut’s Christmas Challenge- #522 Anything Goes
Outlawz Challenge- Saturday Paper Ala Mode-Christmas   

Bugaboo Christmas Chaos

This is my second entry into the annual Bugaboo event, named Christmas Chaos. The playful little Rudolph, with his TP topped antlers, fits beautifully into the Day 1 Theme of Reindeer Games. The digi image is from illustrator and children's book author Elizabeth Dulemba who has created hundreds of coloring pages that she offers for free download! (You can access the free coloring pages and/or sign up for the weekly newsletter HERE)
I am putting together a gift packet of assorted cards for a co-worker who was married this summer, and wanted to add a Christmas ornament to commemorate the year of their wedding. This image helps to do that in a humorous way! Although it was a tedious task, I cut small strips of toilet paper and carefully attached them to the digi to add texture and a bit of fun! (I did use a pencil to add the "perforations" to the TP to make it look more realistic.) 
I’m entering this into several challenges including the We Craft Cards Monday Challenge- National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation! Christmas week was a busy one for the iconic Griswolds in the movie. Our challenge, during this busy time of the year, is make a card or other item that depicts something we forgot to do because of our schedule. (I forgot about the card packet until today… so I’ll be gifting it later than I had planned. Hope I can get the ornament to them before Christmas.)

Supplies: 
·   Reindeer Image- Elizabeth Dulemba Coloring Page (Available HERE)
·   Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers, Sakura Gelly Roll white & silver gel pens
·   Assorted cardstock, sheer ribbon, red brad, and silver cord from my stash plus small strips of toilet paper from our bathroom!  
Entered into: 
We Craft Cards Monday Challenge- National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation!
Bugaboo Stamps- Holiday Chaos- Day 1 Theme Challenge-Reindeer Games
The Paper Shelter- Anything Goes
Cute Card Thursday- Challenge #665 Anything Goes
Outlawz Challenge- Festive Fridays 

Outlawz Challenge- Inlinks Challenge

The new Double D challenge theme is poinsettias, and when I saw that the new Simon Says Monday Challenge is named “Celebrate” I knew just which digi I’d use for my card. What better way to celebrate on New Year’s Eve than to wear beautiful party shoes?! I added some depth by printing off and coloring a separate poinsettia that I attached with a foam square, and by adding Nuvo Crystal Drops (deep burgundy, named Rhubarb Crumble. Yum!) to the shoe.  The inside sentiment is a brad that I’ve had in my stash for over a decade. The background paper that looks like confetti and the silver stars on the vellum help add festive touches to the design.  

Supplies: 
·   Digi- Bugaboo Stamps (Heels Poinsettia)
·   Colored with Spectrum Noir Classique markers and Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen
·   Front Sentiment “Cheers” from Jan’s Digi Stamps set (Happy New Year)
·   Inside Sentiment- “Happy New Year” Sentiment brad from my stash
·   Circle Dies- Little B Dies
·  Nuvo Crystal Drops -Rubarb Crumble, 

·  Cardstock background paper, silver- star and red vellum from my stash
·  Silver photo corners available from several web sources (WXJ13 13 Sheets 13 Colors Photo Mounting Corners)

Entered into:  

Simon Says Monday Challenge- Celebrate                                     
Double D’s Challenge- Poinsettia                
Crafty Hazelnut’s Patterned Paper Challenge- December             
Jan’s Digi Stamps- December 2020 Anything Goes
Lil Patch of Crafty Friends- #148 Anything Goes
Word Art Wednesday Challenge- #470-472 Anything Goes                   

I can’t believe that this is just my second entry into the Simon Says Christmas Critters Challenge. I have tons of critter stamps and digis but had little free time. I spent most of today happily playing in my craft room and this card has not one… but three Christmas critters! The Santa and reindeer stamp is unmounted, and I have no idea who made it. (If anyone recognizes it, please let me know. When I stripped dozens of stamps from the wood mounts years ago, I never realized that I'd want to identify them. Because I couldn't imagine that I'd ever have a blog. Now I cannot imagine NOT having one!)
I created the moonlit scene by cutting a circle on a large post-it and adhering it to the card front. Tree stamps, assorted ink pads, some torn strips of paper and lots of sponging later I had a striking scene. A white gel pen and white pigment ink helped bring out the moon glow and highlights on snowy slopes and trees.  NOTE- I did create a tutorial for this process that I posted to my blog a few years ago. It includes five card samples that feature different scenes in assorted colors. You can find it HERE. I decided to not clutter the front of the card with a sentiment… but did add a bit of whimsey by attaching a tiny red circle (made with a mini paper punch) on the tip of Rudolph’s nose. So fun!
I’m entering this into several challenges including the Incy Wincy Designs (my card includes a person- Santa… and lots of blue!)   

Supplies: 
·   Wood Mount Stamp- Santa and Reindeer Stamp (Unknown company)
·   Wood Mount Stamp- Three Trees (Embossing Art- Company is no longer in business)
·   Inside Sentiment- Stamping Up! clear set (retired)
·   Colored with dye ink pads (dark green and assorted colors of blue), pigment ink pad (white) and Sakura Gelly Roll white gel pen
·   Memento Ink Pad- Black to stamp Santa & Critters plus sentiment
·   Circle Dies- Little B Dies
·   Mini paper punch
·   Cardstock from my stash
Entered into: 
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge- Christmas Critters
Incy Wincy Designs- Person (plus sketch and/or blue)   
Pattie's Creations Challenge- #177 Winter Fun  
Let’s Craft and Create- Ch #166-Anything Goes  (Option- Santa Claus is Coming to Town)
            Since I’m a Contributor for Beccy’s Place (sponsor), I’m entering just for fun!