CAS Non-Traditional Christmas Card

Just a quick post this afternoon. I need a nap! I've been fighting a cold for a whole week now...and I'm really ready to be done with it! Not a very patient patient! (sorry!)

Here is another Christmas card in non-traditional colors....I went way outside my comfort zone on this one. But I do love that background paper with the doily/snowflake print.

I followed a sketch for this one (see below) which made it super easy. I used vellum so the pretty design in the background could show through. The embossing is done in both silver and gold so it has a varigated look and matches the background better...that warm gray was not doing well with plain silver.

So thanks for stopping by today! Here's what I used to make this one:

cardstock - "Original" by Authentique Paper

vellum - "Dots Vellum" by Paper Studio

die - "Labels 4" by Spellbinders

stamp - "Merry Christmas" by Stampabilities

embossing powder - gold & silver by PSE

brads - "White Snowflake" by Making Memories

Challenges:

http://kgiron.blogspot.com/2013/12/sweet-sunday-sketch-challenge-199.html - #199

http://addictedtocas.blogspot.com - #28 "Snowflakes"
http://inkspirationalchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ - #46 "Anything Goes"
http://sentimentalsundays.blogspot.com/ - #185 "Non-Traditional X-mas Colors"

http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com - #111 Anything Goes

Tilda having some winter fun...

A wintery red, white and blue card...which wasn't really my intention but it turned out that way! Those colors compliment each other so nicely. And I think Tilda especially likes them! Please ignore the fact that she is out in the snow with only socks on...no boots! Silly girl!

This photo catches the shine of the foil paper, the metallic paint and the pearl embossing.

Here's my list of products used:

Dies - "Catalina Wreath" by Memory Box

"Garden Gate" by Cheery Lynn Designs

Punches - snowflakes (purchased on ebay, brands ??)

Stamps - "Christmas Glamour" by TPC Studio

"Merry Christmas" by Stampin' Up

"Tilda Wants a Hug" by Magnolia

(colored with alcohol ink markers)

Cardstock - all from my stash

Embossing powder - "PearLustre, white" by Stampendous

Glitter glue - "Icicle" by Stickles/Ranger 

Acrylic Paint Dabber - "Metallics, Pearl" by Adirondack

Challenges:

http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/ - "Stamp Out 2013"

http://WordArtWednesday.blogspot.com - #111 Anything Goes

http://cheerylynndesigns.blogspot.com - #111 "Sparkle & Shine"

http://DutchMagnoliaLovers.blogspot.com - #70 Bingo: Snow, Dies, Red

http://stampandcreatewithmagnolia.blogspot.com/ - #24 "Winter Fun"

http://magnoliadownunderchallenges.blogspot.com/ - #226 Anything Goes

http://magnolia-liciouschallengeblog.blogspot.com - "Happy Holiday Blog Hop"

CAS Christmas Card

I used a simple sketch for this one. It is the one on Technostamper this week,

the Monday Lunchtime Sketch Challenge #291:

And here is the inside. Just a Bible verse. Perfect.

Christmas in Red and Green

Here is a Christmas card in the traditional colors of Christmas...red & green.

This straight-on photo shows the colors best.

This angled shot shows the glitter/Stickles best!

Ingredients:

Stickles - green, red, and Icicle

Stamps - "Elegant Scrollwork Frame" by SweetStamps and

"Poinsettia" by PSX

Both stamps are colored with alcohol markers and colored pencils.

Sentiment stamp - "Merry Christmas" by Stampin' Up

Challenges:

http://sweetstampsblog.blogspot.com - #146 Red & Green

http://allthatstickles.blogspot.co.uk/ - Happy Holidays

http://inkspirationalchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ - #45 Photo Inspiration

Cardinal Christmas

Happy Thanksgiving, my friends!

Today was a busy, fun-filled family day here at our house! I hope you all enjoyed a blessed Thanksgiving Day with your family and/or friends! I also hope you had time to reflect on all the things in your life you can be thankful for.  I know God has blessed me is so many ways...but I am especially thankful for my family, my church, my health....my spiritual health in particular! I can say without a doubt that I am heaven-bound because Jesus bought and paid for me with His death on the cross and has given me such an amazing life here and now, with the hope of heaven awaiting me. That's a whole lot to be thankful for! Leave me a comment and let me know what YOU are thankful for today!

So here is my Christmas card for the weekly challenge at SweetStamps this week!

This is my last week as Guest Designer on their blog. Its been a fun and busy month!

They have such great products in their store...its been amazing to be able to showcase some of them for you!

This week's challenge started on Tuesday. It is #145 "The Holidays".

You still have four days to enter, so why not pop over to the SS blog and get inspired by the DT samples and then get creative...and join the challenge! There is a nice prize you could win too!

For this card I used the SweetStamps stamp set called "Cardinal Pair & Warm Wishes".

I colored the image with alcohol markers, colored pencils and ink. Then I added some Stickles for sparkle in two colors: "Crystal" & "Holly".

The dies I used are the "Standard Circles Lg" by Spellbinders and the "Catalina Wreath" by Memory Box.

The background layer with the grid design is also shimmery with Smooch Spritz in a lime green. The green base card stock is stamped with pale green and white ink using an evergreen tree from Stampin' Up.

The card stock is mostly scraps from my stash, as are the gold twine and the sequins.

I used a sketch from the Technostamper blog:

http://technostamper.blogspot.com - Mon Lunchtime Sketch Chall #290

More challenges:

http://sentimentalsundays.blogspot.com - #182 Winter Wonderland

http://ShoppingOurStash.blogspot.com - #121 Holidays or Winter

http://Cardsundmore-challengeblog.blogspot.com - #95 Advent/Christmas decoration

http://avenue613.blogspot.com/ - #47 Anything Goes, Optional Twist:

Create Your Own Challenge (use chart)

Here are the things I used-

Col. 1: image, sentiment, patterned paper, solid paper

Col. 2: any sketch, die cut

Col.3: Stickles, Glimmer Mist (Smooch Spritz)

Col.4: Sequins

Col.5: twine (gold)

Vintage-Look Embossing

Its Sunday evening...I've got just a few minutes before heading off to church so here is a really quick post! 

This sympathy card was made for the "Anything Goes" challenge* at SweetStamps

where I am the November Guest Designer.

I have used several SweetStamps items to create the delicate look here:

Stamps - "With Sympathy", "Rose Corner Lg", "Vertical Rose Border",

"Scroll Shadow Box Frame", and 

the ArtsyfArtsy "Swirly Doodle Butterflies".

I also used the new Piccolo "Vintage Copper Enamel Powder" for the lovely metalic embossing.

*Oops! I thought I had another day yet but that challenge ends tonight, so it wouldn't make sense for me to post it on their blog any more. Oh well, I'll have another card to add in a few days for the next challenge!

Challenges:

http://robynsfetishchallengeblog.blogspot.com/ - #187 Vintage Style

http://inkspirationalchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/ - #44 Anything Inkspirational Goes

http://brownsugarchallenge.blogspot.com/ - #69 Anything Goes
http://creativecornerchallenges.blogspot.de/ - Heavy Metal
http://fairytale-challengeblog.blogspot.com/ - #81 Photo Inspiration

Using Clear Micro Beads

Hello, and happy Thursday to you all!

Today I'm showcasing a technique I'd never tried before...using micro beads. What an interesting and pretty texture the tiny glass beads create! Makes it look so dimensional.

This is the new technique for the monthly challenge at SweetStamps which runs from Nov. 15 through Dec. 15. The beads are just called "Glass Beads" by Judi-Kins*.

 This Christmas card is made with non-traditional colors...rather out of my comfort zone! But I like the icey look the micro beads bring to the design.

Looking at the image of the bells from different angles shows the demensional, icey look a bit better.

What doesn't show up well is the glossy surface I added to the background frame...the whole pale pink area surrounding the wreath. I gave it a coating of Glastique Dementional Finishing Glaze* after coloring it with Spectrum Noir alcohol markers.

and here are the other items I used:
Stamps - "Bells"* and "Scroll Shadow Box Frame"* from SweetStamps
Sentiment from Stamping Scrapping Design
Dies - "Catalina Wreath"* from Memory Box
"Standard Circles Lg" from Spellbinders
"Terrifically Tacky Tape" from Provo Craft
Flatback pearls - "Peach" from Pizzazz Aplenty

Check out the SweetStamps blog for more details and inspiration!
Then join in the challenge for a chance to win a very nice prize!
All of the items marked with the * are things I got at the SweetStamps.com online store

Challenges:
http://scrapbookerphd.blogspot.com/ - #3 Christmas without Green or Red
http://abcchristmaschallenge.blogspot.com/ - W for Winter Wishes
http://thepapershelter.blogspot.com/ - Christmas is Coming!
http://cardsundmore-challengeblog.blogspot.com/ - #94 Baby Its Cold Outside


Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Give Thanks to the LORD...

"Give thanks to the LORD for He is good." 

                                                   Psalm 136:1

Here is the next card I made especially  for SweetStamps as a November Guest Designer.

And that is the verse I used on the  front of my card for the new weekly challenge: "Thanks".

It is a SweetStamps stamp and the two dies I used are also theirs! They are "Elegant Leaves" and "Classy Deer". 

There is a song in the 'Psalter Hymnal' called "Give Thanks to God, for Good is He" that is based on Psalm 136. It is one of my favorites. It goes on to say "His mercy faileth never...His grace abideth ever". So wonderfully true.

I am using this as a Thanksgiving card which I plan to mail to my family in Wisconsin. I have not finished the inside yet so we shall see if I get this mailed on time. Sad to say I am notorious for getting cards in the mail one day late...very consistently!

This was a fun card to make. I made a stencil of heavy card stock and inked the bottom layer of the leafy wreath with an orangish ink (Studio G "Spice") then die cut 3 more colors of the leaves to arrange in the wreath shape. For delicate die cuts like this I use spray adhesive. Some of the leaves have Stickles added in gold and crystal.

The deer is one of my newest dies and I've used it with glitter card stock from the Paper Studio. The very first time I visited the SweetStamps online store I knew I wanted that die...and I finally got it! I'm looking forward to making some elegant Christmas cards with it.

The Bible verse is stamped in "Walnut Stain", a TH Distress ink.

The cream color background print is from the "Vintage Moon" set by Pink Paislee.

I hope you have time to stop by the SweetStamps blog to see all of the wonderful creations made by the Design Team. And once you are inspired, we'd love to have you join the challenge with YOUR creation! Each week they give a generous prize of a $20 shopping spree for SweetStamps merchadise at their online store!

Challenges:

http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/ - Thanks/Thanksgiving

http://craftycreationschallenges.blogspot.com/ - #248 Dies & Punches

http://shoppingourstash.blogspot.com/ - #127 Use Something Out on Your Desk

(the leaf die has been on my desk for weeks!)

http://craft-deebowz.blogspot.com/2013/11/november-challenge.html - Nov/Anthing Goes

http://pathofpositivitychallenge.blogspot.com/ - #8 Thankfulness

http://stampandcreateblog.blogspot.com/ - Nov. Challenge: Feathers or Leaves