A Gift Set of Cards

I so liked the light blue cards that I made for my mom, I decided to make some bolder blue versions.  These create a bit different feel, but I like them as well.

I used my Papertrey Ink Winter Village stamp and die set again.  The inks are a combination of Close to My Heart and Archival Ink.  Strong colors for a stamp set that is less layering than geometrically matching.  These cards are A2 size - a little smaller than I'm used to but it works greate with these stamps.

I'll give these to my mom as well - keeping the set together.  I need to switch gears and get some crafty gifts made.  I'm hoping to be able to pull a post together soon.

I'm entering this card into the following challenges:

City Crafter Challenge Blog - I believe in Santa Claus  This challenge is to pick a theme from an old Kenny Rogers/Dolly Parton Christmas album.  I think my card matches their White Christmas song.

Make It Monday #305 - Love of Layers I used Fun Foam to raise up the ovals and the front of the card does have lots of layers with all those die cuts.

Simon Says Stamp's Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Word Art Wednesday's Challenge 310/311 - Anything Goes

Christmas Shadow Boxes - All Lit Up

I get the pleasure of sharing these beautiful creations from Brandy today.  Brandy, along with her sister and niece, decided they wanted to use the shadow box frames at Michaels along with some of the coordinating supplies to make lighted shadow boxes to decorate for Christmas and the New Year celebrations.  The collection and painting is all Brandy and the girls.

Don't you love how rich and inviting they turned out to be?  Such a great way to celebrate.

All three lined up and lit for celebrating.  They will be separated into two different households, but they sure make a pretty scene.

Of course, Brandy's niece needed to paint her own nutcracker figurine.  He's colored in a "Dory" scheme that is less Christmas and all "young lady" style.  Tis the season for creating crafting and these creations fit the bill perfectly.

Today also marks the first year that my daughter isn't home to celebrate her birthday. We celebrated early last weekend when she was home from college for the holiday.  Still, I'm sending well wishes a long distance north hoping she feels special.  Happy Birthday, Katie.

Andie for 

All is Calm, All is Bright

Whew!  It has been a whirlwind of family celebrations for the Thanksgiving holiday.  We also squeezed into the long weekend a birthday celebration for my daughter Katie.  Here I find myself at the end of the long weekend - content, tired and having enjoyed myself. 

I had shared that I made my mother some cards for her birthday.  I've finally edited the photos and am sharing here.

I made these cards using my Papertrey Ink Winter Village stamp and die set.  We live in sunny, warm Arizona.  It was record highs in the high 80s all week.  We don't have a white Christmas unless you count the blinding white light of the noonday sun.  So, I thought it might be fun to create these cards which imply a cold winter day.  My mom's favorite color is blue, so I used several shades her.  I super love how the houses turned out and am sure that I will make more cards with this stamp and die set for the season since the stamps and dies are out on the workbench. 

I've seen some of the Christmas creations you are all up to out there.  Keep the inspiration coming. 

Using Stuff from the Stash - A Birthday Card

My mom's birthday is right in the middle of birthday season.  Her favorite color is pink and so I used this frame from the stash and some Heartfelt Creations Birds and Blooms die cut flowers to make this card.  Behind the frame is some vellum paper that I crumpled into a ball to create the crinkled look behind the frame.  It made a nice off set to the vintage look of the card front.  There's some gold paint on the butterflies that was hard to capture in the photo, but looked ever so sparkly in person.  Tiny prills fill the center of my die cut flowers.

On the inside, a scripty sentiment for the day.  I actually made her gift and will be posting as soon as I get the pictures edited. 

A Flowery Birthday Card

My SIL celebrated a milestone birthday recently.  She is known for her birthday party style and, since she was born in Kentucky, decided to host a Derby style celebration.  I knew that I needed to make a bit over the top, flowery confection - inspired by the Derby hats we were all encouraged to wear.  This card is that creation.

I went with a somewhat monochromatic theme, knew that the cards needed to have some pearls, lacey feel, and a big flower as the focal point.

On the inside a simple sentiment to match my thoughts for the day.

I decided to go "facinator" in my hat wear because it is still hot in Arizona and if we were outside a big floppy had would have been hard to see and hot to wear.  Here's a picture - Jenny, the birthday girl is in pink in the back row.

That's my grandma and mom with me on the left.  It's almost as if we're running the race for the roses...

Birthday Wishes

My husband jokes that it is birthday season for us, but there's a ring of truth to what he says.  I'm stopping in to share this masculine birthday card with you.  I paired a chalkboard stamped sentiment with some patterned paper to create a simple, yet effective card with a minimalist style for the dude who celebrated a birthday.

On the inside - a sentiment created from coordinating patterned paper from the paper pad.  One down, several more to go.

That Special Tag - a 1st Birthday

Brandy's cousin has a beautiful young daughter who recently turned one.  This tag was made for her 1st birthday present.  What a wonderful mixed media project!

I can't decide what I like best - I think it is the flowers clustered on the one - so soft and appropriate for the beautiful gal being celebrated.  The sequins also add quite a bit of charm.

And then there is the birthday card - a lovely treat created with Distress ink blending and fantastic frame die.  The card and the tag go together to make a special gift all by themselves.

Can I get a whoo hoo!?!!

Andie for 

Some More - This Time Purple!- Poppies

Brandy has been on a roll.  Look at these vibrant purple poppies, hand painted onto watercolor paper using her Mission Gold watercolor paints.  The lines in the petals really set off the image and create depth.  I'm inspired and bowled over. 

Andie for 

Gorjuss Girls Notecards

I had a few more Gorjuss girls sitting in the stash, colored and begging to be put onto cards.  I decided to use my new-to-me Stripe Builder stamp set from Concord and 9th to create a colorful, but simple background, keeping the girls in the spotlight.

I used black Archival ink to stamp this background and an ink blending tool to make the smudgy part.  I'm extremely pleased with how this turned out.

The sentiment shows up a bit better in person - tough to photograph well.  This little gal reminds me of my Holly Hobby wallpaper in my room when I was a kid - yellow and brown, oh so very 70s.

Since green is my favorite color, this little girl is my favorite of this set - everything screams vintage to me and so I love her.

Still, this is another card set for the stash and my presents this year.  I'm getting a bit that will be used to good effect for sure.

Hand Painted Poppies

I get to share this lovely handpainted poppies that Brandy created.  She used watercolor paper and her Mission Gold watercolors to make a watercolor masterpiece.  I just love the impressionistic feel.  If she turns this into a card I'll let you know, but I'm voting for this one to be framed and hung in a beautifully lit room!

Andie for 

All Those Gorjuss Girls

I'm well on my way in creating some Christmas cards, even a little behind at this point to tell the truth.  I'll bring posts of those creations soon.  For now, I'm sharing a few cards that I made for the stash - great gifts for the season to come. 

I had colored these Gorjuss girls some time ago and they sat in the pile until inspiration (and looking forward to the gift giving season) hit.  I used various paper pads of coordinating papers to create the backgrounds.  Most of the sentiments are from the paper pads as well. 

I think this girl is my favorite.  The shading worked the best and I didn't get a good photo of her hair, but there is definition there.  The frame and the glitter lace behind her work well and so I am really pleased how this turned out.

'Course I'm pleased with all the girls - they turned out great.  Hope all your gift crafting is coming along nicely.  Happy fall!