Happy Birthday Card

Playing around with my Simple Stories: Summer Fresh paper pad.  I made up this card.  Here's the details:

• The Happy Birthday sentiment was stamped using my Faded Jeans Distress Ink onto a piece of the patterned paper and then cut using my Spellbinders Labels 18 die.
• The green and blue cardstock frames were cut using my Spellbinders Imperial Gold Labels 4 dies.  New to me and working it on this card!
• The flowers were cut from patterned paper using my Heartfelt Creations Vintage Floret dies.  A red pearl is left in the center to create a bling factor.  
• The leaf swirl was cut using my ODBD Fancy Foliage die.  
• Lastly the chevronish piece was cut out of the pattern in the paper and inked (along with the background paper) using my Faded Jeans Distress Ink.

I left the inside blank for a handwritten note or something similar.  This paper pad is just perfect for making cards and the papers are right for layering different patterns.

Here's wishing you a safe and enjoyable New Year's Eve celebration.  We've hosted New Year's with my husband Dan's sister since her daughter was born 15 years ago.  I can't get over how much fun it is to look back on a decade or more of memories spent with kids and families getting together.  We usually end at 10 pm when the Eastern time zone celebrates the new year.  Just enough time for them to get home before the drive becomes a little treacherous.

Happy New Year to you and your family.  Make memories of your own.

Merry Christmas Gift for Work

I've started this tradition and kept it going this year.  My daughter, Katie, is a Girl Scout and they sell food products in the fall.  One of the best is a can of butter toffee peanuts.  Sugary goodness is another name for them.  The price is right ($5/can), the cause is right (she earns money for every can sold), and the gift is right (for co-workers where you aren't particularly close, but you want to gift them something).  Folks don't feel like you've over reached and they need to return the favor with this kind of small gift.  Here's the details:

• The top is decorated with a circle of kraft paper cut using my Creative Memories Circle cutter.  Surprising how often they show up in my crafting despite the fact that they are over a decade old. 
• The poinsettia and leaf are cut using my Layered Poinsettia dies.  The center of the poinsettia is made using Crystal Accents and some Good Earth elements.   All of the red and green are from the scrap pile!
• The lid is a plastic yellow- not a fit so I cover with some tissue tape and use a red ink pad to color the tissue tape.  Be sure to wipe off the excess ink because it won't dry fast and it will come off on your hands (or anything else it touches).

• The can label is covered with some plaid pattern paper from the stash that is likely more than a decade old as well.  It doesn't entirely encircle the can so I used a piece of brown cardstock to finish where the two ends meet.  Later versions have the brown cardstock embossed for more effect.  Again, all brown cardstock is scraps.
• The label is from a piece of patterned paper.  I simply used my Spellbinders Labels 18 to strategically cut out images from the patter and glued a twine bow on the side.  

Yummy gift that was never intended to hang around for long.  I hope you found time to craft some special gifts this Christmas.  It feels so much better coming from the heart!

Merry Christmas!

Again, behind posting.  Trying to squeeze in.  Yikes!  Merry Christmas two days late!

This is my Christmas card this year.  When I saw the Heartfelt Creations Shepherd Scene stamps three years ago at the scrapbook convention I fell in love.  I resisted the purchase- times were financially tough then and I couldn't afford the purchase and attending the scrapbook convention too.  In 2012, I could resist no longer mainly because I got a free stamp set for taking a Heartfelt Creations class.  Still, the 2012 Christmas card design was already in development and this stamp set didn't make the cut. 

2013 seemed just the right year to make this card the highlight.  I wanted to play with watercoloring- not my forte.  Here's the details:

• The Shepherd Scene is stamped with black Archival Ink.  The shading is done with a Faded Jeans Distress Marker.  A water pen was then loaded with a little Faded Jeans Distress Ink and washed over the entire image.  This is what created the "cloud" like effect over the image.  It might be hard to see in the picture.
• The star was enhanced with a glue pen and some microfine silver glitter. 
• The image was cut out using Brandy's Nestabilities Labels 4.  It was a perfect fit for the card.
• The frame image was cut out using Brandy's Nestabilities Romantic Rectangles using a blue cardstock.  Truthfully, this cut and that color of paper simply made my Christmas cards this year.  It also sold me on getting a Grand Calibur which I achieved much later in the year after I borrowed all these supplies from Brandy.
• The poinsettia was stamped with Faded Jeans Distress Ink and cut using my Heartfelt Creations stamps and dies.  The poinsettia leaves were cut using a Magnolia Doohickies die.  The size is just perfect for the Spellbinders/Heartfelt Creations Layered Poinsettia dies.
• The branched leaf was cut using my Spellbinders Foliage die.  The posies were cut using my Heartfelt Creations Posy Patch die.  The centers of the posies were created using a white Pearl Pen. 

• The inside was embellished with a sentiment stamp I found at Hobby Lobby, stamped in Faded Jeans Distress Ink.

All in all, I am most proud of this year's Christmas card.  I think I say that each year, but this year I really mean it.  It will take some thinking as to what I'm going to accomplish next year.  The layers/height of this card was probably borderline appropriate for the post office.  It was a pleasure making all 50 of these cards.  I can't hardly wait to start on next years!

Merry Christmas Eve!

Three days late.  It was a very Merry Christmas at the Millers (both Brandy and Andie's).  So much so that these pictures taken in haste right before the holiday never were posted.  They are too good to go to waste, so I'm going to try to squeeze them in.

First up is Brandy's Christmas card.  This gate fold card design is really effective and in true Brandy style, she's embellished the entire card. 

• Santa is embossed with red embossing powder.
• The holly leaves are stamped with green ink and the red bling added as a holly berry.
• The patterned paper is distressed and then adhered with a Tiny Attacher to the the layers of cardstock which make up the card.
• Santa and the sentiment inside were cut using the Spellbinders Labels 19 dies and edged with Black Soot Distress Ink.

We hope your Christmas was joy filled and your recovery from the holidays is bright.

A Little Who Side Note

I thought I'd share a tid bit with you.  My entire family has become Dr. Who obsessed.  My daughter, Katie, was the last hold out- "that's geeky", "it's too scary", "why do you watch that?".  We've converted her in the past 6 months.  Utterly converted her!  I'm so pleased as a mother- this is a monumental achievement of which I am extremely proud.  Mind you, I still want her to get married so I am bracing for a brief period of returned objection and rejection.  It's possible... though I'm privately praying for a shameless "he'll take me how I am or not at all attitude".  A mother can dream.

For Katie's birthday (on Thanksgiving this year!), I purchased these shoes:

A lovely young lady from Etsy, Dani, handmade them.  While they aren't commercial perfection, the result is all that counts and now my girl proudly sports them around high school.  Yay!

If you like Who or are interested in some of Dani's other work, check out her Etsy shop at Darling My Dear.  There was a great deal of delay in getting them delivered- we didn't get them in time for the birthday celebration despite ordering them almost a month early.  However, Dani made it up to us and we were ultimately happy.  Just be sure to give her a bit of time and maybe check in with her periodically to keep your shipment at the top of her list.  In the end, we've a one of a kind gift and that's all my daughter is concerned with.

Finally, we're planning a family shut in today.  Dr. Who day.  In the hustle and bustle of the holiday season and with marching band having consumed (in one gulp) our November, the family is looking forward to not getting dressed and spending the entire day watching Eleven.  He's so adorkable and we watch via Amazon Prime so we've only recently (for Katie) lost Amelia and Rory.  Our hearts are breaking and we've no comfort for it.  We're surprising the kids today- purchasing whatever Amazon has for us that we haven't seen.   Losing Eleven might be just too much.  Enjoy the holidays- it's family time at the Millers.

Holiday Hostess Gift

I made this tag for a hostess gift this holiday season.  It was simple and easy to put together.  Here's the details:

• The tag was cut out using Plantin Schoolbook and my Cricut using kraft paper. 
• I stamped the swirl from my Heartfelt Creations Holly Berry stamp set using brown Archival Ink onto the kraft tag.
• The sentiment is also stamped from my Holly Berry stamp set using brown Archival Ink only this time it was onto some green cardstock from the scrap bin.  A bin that needs to be emptied.  I die cut the sentiment using my Spellbinders Labels 18 dies. 
• The swirl was die cut and embossed using my Heartfelt Creations Ornamental Add On dies.  I embellished this little gem with some red gems from the stash. 
• The poinsetta was made using my Layered Poinsettia Shapeabilities.  The center was made using some Good Earth Elements Earth Textures.  I just love that stuff to make something look rustic.  It really works here in person.  Finally, the red cardstock is spritzed with some white acrylic paint using an old toothbrush.  It looks like a light dusting of snow. 

I don't think I'm nearly wise enough to choose a good wine for a gift.  I just don't drink enough of the stuff.  Still, my husband and his entire family find this to be their favorite.  I hope my hostess enjoyed because she really knows how to put on a good party!

A Thoughtful Card

I've mentioned that my grandma was visiting for Thanksgiving and fell ill spending the holiday in the hospital.  She continues to struggle with health issues and so I made this card to cheer her. Here's the details:

• Patterned paper is KaiserCrafts 75 Cents
• Heartfelt Creations Vintage Floret stamps and dies stamped with brown Archival Ink and die cut on my new Grand Calibur using blue cardstock and glassine paper. 
• A piece of brown twine from the stash.
• All edges are inked in Vintage Photo Distress Ink.  The flags were cut from the patterned papers.  The flag word came from one of the printed papers.

• On the inside, the sentiment is stamped in brown Archival Ink using my Heartfelt Expressions stamp set.  

 I really hope this card makes her day.

Final Card and Box for Gift Set

I did it!  I did it!  One gift down.  I was able to finish my card set and make a box to give them in.  Here's the details:

• Patterned paper is Stampin' Up's Attic Boutique bought on clearance earlier this year and sitting in the stash.
• Heartfelt Creations Vintage Floret stamps and dies stamped with brown Archival Ink and die cut on my new Grand Calibur using blue cardstock and glassine paper. 
• A piece of cream organza ribbon from the stash.

• The sentiment is stamped in brown Archival Ink using my Heartfelt Expressions stamp set and cut with my trusty Creative Memories oval cutters. Don't they make the most perfect matted frames?
• Those edges are rolled again- nice touch to a card where the star of the show is the pattern in the paper. 
• A little glue pen and some of my Clear Rock Candy Distress Glitter.  This glitter is much finer than the colored versions and has a delicate effect.

• I modified Karon's box tutorial to make a lid over the box bottom.  I didn't take pictures (the rush, oh the rush) of my box dimensions.  If I get a chance, I'll recreate and make a tutorial post.  Don't hold your breathe, Karon did a nice job and you can follow her instructions.
• The patterned paper was cut to wrap around the bottom and top of the pieces with short, thin versions for each side.  A little Vintage Photo Distress Ink hid my imperfections in cutting.
• The swirl was fussy cut from another piece of patterned paper.  Rough going in some places, but I edged with a little Vintage Photo Distress Ink and you can hardly notice.  
• Some more Vintage Florets and a few leaves make up my eye catcher.  
• The sentiment comes from a Glitz Pretty in Pink stamp set.  I simply stamped in brown Archival Ink and fussy cut it out. 

The note cards fit right in.  No tag needed, everyone at the party (all seven coworkers and their signficants) knew who had made the cards.  I'm delighted to tell you that there was a bit of a fuss made- two steals to send this lovely home with my boss.  A bit of vanity right there, folks.  I'm so glad that they liked the set.  I did too in the end.











Here's the other three one last time.

       

A Third Card for the Gift Set

O.K. This is one of my favorite cards of the set and that I've made for a while.  I think it might be that background paper.  Or the brown, blue and yellow color scheme.  Or the ribbon.  Can't say other than, the picture doesn't do this card justice.  I really like how it turned out.  Here's the details:

• Patterned paper is Stampin' Up's Attic Boutique bought on clearance earlier this year and sitting in the stash.
• Heartfelt Creations Vintage Floret stamps and dies stamped with brown Archival Ink and die cut on my new Grand Calibur using blue cardstock and glassine paper. 
• A piece of brown textured ribbon from the stash- at least a year old.  It is workin' this card...
• The sentiment is stamped in brown Archival Ink using my Heartfelt Expressions stamp set and cut with my Apothecary Accents framelits die.  I used a hole punch to create the holes for the ribbon.
• I couldn't keep this card clean- those edges are inked in Vintage Photo Distress Ink, baby! 

On the inside (where I'd boo boo'd it and left a printed sentiment on accident- watch your card making on old supplies ladies!) I placed a small strip of patterned paper, a piece of ribbon and one spare vintage floret.

On to the last card and a box.  I'm gonna get it done?  Christmas is really coming.  It's not slowing down...

Another Card for the Set

This is the second card in a gift set of four that I made for my work's white elephant gift exchange.  I'm having to crank these out, so they are light on embellishments and heavily dependent upon the paper set they are derived from.  Here's the details:

• Patterned paper is Stampin' Up's Attic Boutique bought on clearance earlier this year and sitting in the stash...  Looks like they are all out, only the digital version left.
• Heartfelt Creations Vintage Floret stamps and dies stamped with brown Archival Ink onto glassine paper and die cut on my new Grand Calibur. 
• A piece of cream organza ribbon and fine brown twine from the stash.  
• The sentiment is stamped in brown Archival Ink using a sentiment from one of the Market Street Stamps sets.  They are out of business now, but the sentiments get stamped on.
• I've rolled the edges- looks very vintage and nice with that two sided paper showing through. 

• On the inside I thought to include a small little sentiment from my Heartfelt Expressions stamp set. 

On to card #3.  Hoping to get it done and posted this week, too.
 

A Little Get Well

My dear, dear coworker Jan (she who will forever be know as crafty) recently fell while getting up Christmas decorations and broke her wrist.  A get well card of the Christmasy type was needed so I whipped up this lovely.  I really wanted the card to get out quick, so I stalled my card set making activities and put this one together. 

• Patterned papers are all from the stash.  
• The tags were fussy cut from a larger 12 x 12 piece of paper with these little vignettes are stacked to fill the page.   
• Each tag was mounted to a cardstock background and inked with Vintage Photo Distress Ink.  
• The Poinsettia was made using my Layered Poinsettia Shapeabilities.  The center was made using some Good Earth Elements Earth Textures.  The red cardstock is spritzed with some white acrylic paint using an old toothbrush.  I am afraid I watered down my paint too much.  Still looked good though.
• The corners are from a Graphic 45 12 Days of Christmas stamp set.   I used some green Archival Ink to stamp the image onto the patterned paper.
• A small twine bow and a stamped sentiment inside that I didn't get a picture of. 

I'm still praying for a clean healing on her wrist.  Hopefully this card brought her some cheer.  She's a dear and this is a tough time of year, let alone with a full time job, to be down one hand and only working with the other.  Get better soon, Jan!

A Gift Card Set

I'm checking in today with the first in a series of cards.  My work (where my husband and I both work) is having a Christmas party at which we will do a small "white elephant" gift exchange.  Since we are such a small group and none of us are particularly young, I'm not into the whole "buy a funny/useless gift" mindset.  Instead, I thought I'd capitalize on the paper crafts store in my front room and went shopping.  This is the first of four cards (with a box- thank you for the inspiration Karon).  Here's the details:

• Patterned paper is Stampin' Up's Attic Boutique bought on clearance earlier this year and sitting in the stash...  Looks like they are all out, only the digital version left.
• Heartfelt Creations Vintage Floret stamps and dies stamped with brown Archival Ink and die cut on my new Grand Calibur- yeah for late in the year birthdays!
• A piece of brown textured ribbon from the stash- at least a year old.  
• A pearl swirl from the stash- no packaging but it's probably from Michaels.
• Pearl tipped hat pins from the stash- again no packaging but I'm guessing a clearance bin from somewhere.
• Small pieces of cream colored tulle.  You can't tell, but it really is cream colored.  Can't tell you when the tulle was purchased, but it's from one of those rolls of tulle about 5 inches wide.  
• The sentiment is stamped in brown Archival Ink and cut with my ancient Creative Memories circle cutters.  Easy and quick, I find this is still a go to tool after over a decade of ownership.
• Keeping the design clean, you'll notice no brown ink edging, etc.  After many cards with inked edges I'm nervous, but I like the look.  Maybe too plain?  Yes? No?  Oh well, this one is done for now. 

On to card #2.  Hoping to get it done and posted this week.  Christmas is coming.  Are you ready?  (I'm not, don't tell...).  I'm linking this up over at Word Art Wednesday's Challenge #109: Anything Goes.  Come join the fun! 

A Thankful Card Set

As a quick thank you gift to my Bible study leader, Carol, I whipped up this set of cards.  The papers come from a trip to Hobby Lobby.  I, once again, purchased several sheets of these 12 x 12 papers to use in Thanksgiving cards and ended up using a fraction of one sheet for all my Thanksgiving cards.  I decided to use some (notice- still a fraction of what I purchased) of the leftovers for this card set.  The details:

• All paper strips are edged in Vintage Photo
• Each chipboard embellishment is covered in Vintage Photo Distress Embossing powder.  I knocked off the crystals exposing some raw chipboard underneath and applied Rusty Hinge and Vintage Photo Distress Ink to the exposed areas with my Ink Blending Tool.  These are glued with some Crystal Accents to the card face.  

• The ribbon comes from a very old spool of satin ribbon in the stash.  The bows were glued in place with some Crystal Accents.
• The Happy Birthday sentiment is from my recent Denami Designs purchase.  The remaining sentiments were from my Heartfelt Expressions sentiment stamp set.  All sentiments were stamped in brown Archival Ink.
• The cards were edged in Vintage Photo Distress Ink.  The inside was left blank so that a kind handwritten note could be added later.

The set was easy to put together, but resulted in some really cute cards.  I was very pleased with the set and tied them up with the same brown ribbon to let Carol know how much I appreciated her guidance and teaching.  Yes, the stash put to good use once more.

I've linked this set up with the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge Blog: Challenge with a Flourish and Word Art Wednesday's Challenge #109: Anything Goes challenge.  Come join the fun!