Merry Christmas in July - City Crafter Challenge

One of the project I worked on during my hiatus was some Christmas cards.  I decided to join the fun over at the City Crafter Challenge.  This card was made with my Paper Smooches A Blessed Christmas stamps and dies.  I used some MFT Extreme Black ink for the sentiment.  The ink on the kraft cardstock card gave an interesting look - almost like wood burning look.  I'm super pleased with how these cards turn out.

On the inside, a bold sentiment with that interesting finish like it has been burned into the kraft card.  I really like the mint, kraft and red accent look.  These cards will go into the stash for later this year.

I'm going to link up with the fun over at the City Crafter Challenge blog where they are celebrating Christmas in July.

Pretty Pink Teatime Celebration

I decided to take a few weeks off.  Those few weeks turned into over a month.  Work has been consuming with two full weeks of regulatory audits on site.  This in addition to my regular work assignments means that I have been working long days and weekends for a while.  I decided on this holiday that I would attempt a post and commit to regular posting again.

I decided to post this card I made using my Concord and 9th Blooms Fill In stamp.  This stamp set is so fun to make that flowery background.  I decided to pair the background I made with a very old teapot stamp set from Papertrey Ink, Tea for Two.  I think this card turned out to be very adorable.  I decided to make a few more to create a set.  When I get those done, I'll post them here as well.

Here's hoping for a less busy July and some more crafty time .  I hope your Fourth of July is wonderful.

More Sympathy Cards

I'm sharing some encouraging sympathy cards that I made using my Concord and 9th You Are Enough bloom and my Year of Psalms stamps.  I stamped the flower image in Distress Ink (Peeled Paint and Wilted Violet) and then used the ink to watercolor in the image.  The sentiments are all stamped in Archival black ink.

I also used a glitter pen to add some sparkle to the flower.  In person, this sparkle is very subtle.  I meant these cards to encourage while the family is suffering and also as a sympathy card.  I think this technique provides a nice, subtle finish for both occasions.

The inside sentiments come from various sets, mixed and match to send a variety of sentiments.  My grandma has already used one of these cards.  I'm hoping the rest stay in the stash for a while as well.

Today marks the end of May.  I'm right in the middle of a site audit at work - long days with lots of brainpower being expended.  I pre-wrote this post last weekend so I didn't have a lapse in posts.  Proof that crafting is a stress reliever - I was lost in posting instead of working.  Here's hoping your May was colorful and your June is delightful.

A Pinky Flamingo

Back today with a card from Brandy.  She stamped the flamingo and background in a light ink using a Stampendous flamingo stamp to give structure to the painting and then used her Mission Gold  to color the image.  This gives the card a very handpainted look.  I think the result is stunning and I couldn't be more enamored of Brandy's talent.  Join me in a Yay! moment at this lovely card.

Andie for

Using Up a Card Kit

Earlier this year Brandy and I attended the Embellish It Play All Day in Mesa, Arizona.  It was a fun day of crafting and socializing.  Brandy and I participated in the card swap where a prize was given for the top two cards in the swap.  The competition was so tough that Shelby gave away three prizes and Brandy and I both walked away with a card kit.  These cards are my take on the kit which was intended to be either cards and/or pocket scrapbook embellishments.  I decided to modify a bit and ended up with extra cards for my efforts. 

All of the embellishments, including die cuts, patterned papers and sequins were a part of the kit.  I added a couple of sentiment die cuts to finish the extra cards and the card bases.  Otherwise, everything was in the kit.

I'll put this together in a nice, handmade package to give as a gift when the need arises.  This projects was one of those that I did during my very busy days last month.  Easy to pick up and lay down when there are only a few small minutes to relax and craft.