Friendship & Christmas

I have 3 cards to show you today.  First is my entry for ITP Project Reach Out: Special Delivery.  Delivered by balloon was my idea, although it didn't turn out quite as planned.

I used another of the PTI scallop note cards from my friend & this time I stamped a flower & leaves from ITP Bold Blooms in Enchanted Evening & New Leaf.  I really like those 2 shades of ink together.  I used a gel pen for the white dots.  The sentiment from PTI Bold Borders: Foliage was stacked 3 high with the top layer die cut from Enchanted Evening cardstock & covered with Nuvo Glaze.  My last Winnie & Walter order before they closed included balloon dies.

The second to smallest one was inked & covered in Frosted Lace Stickles.  The balloon is attached at a slight angle, so I'm also entering Tic Tac Toe using Tilted, Stitched, Blue.  First time to use the balloon dies, so I'm also entering NBUS.

I know we all cope differently with the current challenging times.  There are lots of blog hops & videos on-line which may appeal to some, but I find myself having very little interest spending time on the computer.  However, I happened to see that Spellbinders had a video using Pan Pastels.  Turned out there were actually 2 of them.  I bought a set of Pan Pastels in 2015 & have only used them once!  I've read what to do & seen beautiful examples, but just couldn't figure out how to start.  Kim Kesti's videos showed easy techniques using supplies I have.  I was inspired enough to actually try the technique of applying Pan Pastels over dry embossing paste.  Here's my first card.

I used SSS Heart Mandala stencil & Golden Light Molding Paste.  In case you can't tell, I used lavender, blue & green pastels.  The gray frame is MFT & the sentiment is SSS Painted Hugs.

I had just the right lavendar textured cardstock & I added a clear sequin with a dot of Stickles to finish it off.  I'm entering SSS Flickr 147, SSS April IG & Flickr Love Handmade Cards.
I haven't made a Christmas card in nearly a month & usually I make them about every week.  When I saw that the 5th Stay Crafty with Hero Challenge is Holiday Headstart, I was determined to make a card.  I'm hoping not to need extra postage for cards this year & this one fits that criteria.  I pulled out 2 HA sets: Holiday Wishes from 2010 & Happy Holly Days from 2015.

The evergreen branch was stamped 3 times in Delicata Emerald Green which has a lovely shimmer in person.  The sentiment was stamped in Versafine Clair Acorn & covered with purple tape so I could add the white gauche paint splatters.  I started out with a one layer card, but decided I really liked the white border to brighten it up & tie in with the splatters.  This one is quick enough I might use it for hubby's cousins who all get the same design.  I'm also entering Inkspirational & Retro Rubber.

Thanks so much for taking time to stop by.  If your blog address is in your profile or comment, I will visit you.