Christmas and Thanksgiving

The Pinkfresh Studio October Challenge is about to close.  My card was inspired by Michelle Lupton's card for Case me a Christmas Card 2025-Hop 1. 

I love the look of stamping off the edge and raising the negative die cut panel over the image.  I was also inspired by her use of black in the sentiment. 

PFS Delicate Wreath remains one of my favorites.  I stamped in Altenew Hunter Green and then again with pigment ink so I could randomly sprinkle WOW Spring Breeze embossing powder.  It adds just the right bit of sparkle which you can see in my IG post.  The red die cut berries were leftovers and love what they add to the card.  PFS Classic Holiday words were die cut from vellum and black glossy cardstock.  I'm also entering SSS Wednesday and WAW.  

I entered Amy's Woodblock Wednesday through IG, but wanted to also share my Thanksgiving card here.  

So glad I discovered the old terra cotta card pack I've had for years.  Really love the look of it dry embossed with my old leaves folder.  Isn't the Art Impressions Wheat Shaft image beautiful?  I got it many years ago for 75 cents at the stampers garage sale my LSS had twice a year.  I embossed it with SSS Antique Gold powder--so beautiful in person.  Love the Impression Obsession sentiment which I stamped in Versafine Clair Acorn.  I used the same ink on the edges of the 2 mats.  

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

Elf Duties--Reminder Post

I'm back to remind you that there's still time to play along with Jo and me at Christmas Kickstart: Wreath it Up.  The gallery is filling up with such wonderful cards and it's amazing how many have wreaths that are also in my stash!  

My first card was made with stencils, so this time I wanted to use one of my wreath stamps.  I settled on a much loved 2004 Art Impressions woodblock stamp.  Luckily, I still have an old fashioned stamp positioner.  

I started by inking the entire stamp in Altenew Misty Mint.  Then I used a sponge dauber to randomly add Mountain Pine.  I went back and forth until I was happy with the results.  I used an old set of circle dies to cut my wreath, a red cardstock circle and a circle inked in Mountain Pine.  I attached everything to a circle card made with the same die as the green mat.  One of my favorite sentiment stamps is a little 2003 Hero Arts woodblock stamp and it was just the right size for the center of my wreath.  Decided I needed a bow, so die cut 2 old PPP bows from red and white.  They're so thin, I stacked both colors 2 high.  Amazing how much better they looked!  I added Christmas Red Stickles to the berries and the center of the bow.  Be sure to stop by the blog to check out Jo's card and why not join the gallery?!

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

Time Out Challenge #278

Hard to believe I've been on the Time Out Challenge DT for a year!  I still remember how surprised and honored I felt when Nonni told me I was selected to join the team.  This is our last challenge for 2024 and it is my last post as a member of the team.  I have decided to step down, but I do treasure the opportunity I had to work with these talented ladies.  I'll definitely be a player next year!

We have a fun holiday photo with plenty to inspire you for Time Out Challenge #278.  Check out the blog for a close up.

If you know me, you won't be surprised that the wreath inspired my card.  I do love wreaths!  I used an old woodblock Art Impressions stamp that I still love as much as the first time I saw it.  

The wreath in the photo has a couple shades of green and I actually used 3 CN9 inks:  Clover, Evergreen and Artichoke.  I inked, spritzed with water and stamped on watercolor paper multiple times, until I was happy with the look.  Luckily I still have an old fashioned stamp positioner.  I used the same inks to color the circle mat and added Christmas Red Stickles to the berries.  The little PPP bows were cut from a beautiful red cardstock and I attached them just in the center.  The red cardstock is almost gone, but there was enough for the red mat die cut with a MFT rectangle.  I die cut a tiny gold circle for the center of the bow to tie in with the mat and the Birch Press Merry Christmas Vintage Sentiment.  You can find lots of inspiration from our guest designer and my teammates on the blog, along with all the challenge details.  Our sponsor is Gina K, so better check it out!

I'm entering SSS Monday (Stickles) and WAW.

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

A Few More Christmas Projects

Hubby got the outside lights up a few days ago & I'm slowly decorating inside.  The tree makes me happy just with the lights, but I will add the balls tomorrow, hopefully!  I've gotten a lot of cards mailed, but I'm not finished yet.  I started with the ones going the farthest & I'm working my way west.

Amy has a monthly challenge called Woodblock Wednesday & I loved pulling out Art Impressions Small Pine Spray (over 10 yrs old) & the 2010 DeNami sentiment.  

The Spellbinders square & Fleur de Lis dies are also old.  I used 3 off white papers--something I would never have done when I started stamping.  The card is PTI Rustic Cream, the image is gold embossed on watercolor paper & the fancy mat is Michael's cream cardstock.

I used markers scribbled on an acrylic block & picked up with a damp brush to do the watercoloring.  Just flicking the end of the marker with the damp brush gave me the little brown splatters.  I do love simple & elegant, so this is my kind of card.  I'm also entering SSS Monday.

I love PPP Layered Tree die which can be used for many different looks depending on colors & techniques.  This time I wanted a special card for a relative who is big on Christmas trees & uses only traditional green & red for all her decorating.  

I double embossed a white panel with Zing green glitter ep & then die cut the sections.  There were a couple little spots where the embossing came off, but they were easily repaired.  The trunk was die cut from a brown scrap & the star was stacked 3 high with the top layer being silver metallic cardstock.  I've never used the little ornaments in the set & they're so cute.  I die cut them from red metallic cardstock which stood out perfectly with the shimmery tree.  

Discovered that glue dots were an ideal way to attach the star & the ornaments.  I like the subtle white embossed snowflake background & only an inside sentiment to let the tree take center stage!  I'm entering SSS Monday, SSS Wednesday & Christmas Kickstart.

My final project is for the December Poppystamps challenge.  This may be the most fun I've ever had making a tag!  I pulled out Poppystamps Tunnel Tags & Sloping Hillside dies. 

Amazingly, what I had in mind worked without having to redo anything!  I used some of my overflowing white scraps & a piece of Memory Box blue glitter cardstock I'd already cut into.  First I partially die cut the tag & moved it up before finishing diecutting to make a slightly shorter tag.  Then I die cut Sloping Hillside from the tag.  Next I needed the same size tag for the back & managed to get it right--whew!  I glued a piece of the glitter cardstock to the back tag where the opening would be & then glued the top tag in place.  The trees were brushed with a shimmer pen & covered in Shimmer Pico Embellisher.  I'll have a short video on IG if you want to see the shimmer & sparkle.  Another little scrap of the glitter cardstock was die cut with circle dies for the hole reinforcer & I added white crochet thread.  The perfect sentiment from a Winnie & Walter set was stamped in Versafine Clair Morning Mist.  I'm also entering SSS Monday, SSS Wednesday & The Snippets Playground.  

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

Flowers x 3

I have 3 cards to show you, starting with one I entered via IG & Flickr for several challenges.  SSS Heart of Flowers die was cut from thin acetate to make a stencil.

I added Versamark ink with a sponge dauber & clear embossed the images.  Then I brushed on DO candied apple in the center & blended with worn lipstick on the edges.  Hard to tell, but the heart was spritzed with shimmer mist before being mounted with fun foam.

The SSS die doesn't cut an outside edge, so I used Memory Box Grand Heart to cut the heart shape.  The sentiment is a very old Art Impressions stamp that's made with the curve which fits around the top of a heart.  The 3 little strips were a white scrap I inked with DI candied apple.  I'm entering The Snippets Playground.

Next is another Valentine which is my entry for the January Memory Box Friendship Challenge.  I pulled out a paper pad given to me some time ago by my sweet friend, Cat.

I used the pink glitter paper for the solid piece of the MB Arianna Sprig die & for the panel behind the Loopy Rectangle Gina Marie die cut.  This time I remembered to cut out the center of the panel that doesn't show.  In fact, I did it for the printed paper panel, too.

The sentiment is the main reason I got the Poppystamps Friends & Flowers set.  I just wasn't happy with the stark white panel, so added some DO picked raspberry splatters--just what it needed in my eyes.

Hubby wanted to send a card to a cousin who just had a knee replacement.  She's doing really well, so he decided on the uplifting Sugar Pea sentiment which I stamped in Versafine Clair Morning Mist.  I've been wanting to use my new Pinkfresh Dainty Blossoms dies & this was the perfect occasion.  I'm entering the PF January Challenge with inspiration from the 2019 March Florals Challenge.

I used watercolor paper for the die cuts & watercolored with DI victorian velvet, fossilized amber, blueprint sketch & twisted citron.  I used a Stamplorations stencil & lightly brushed blueprint sketch for the background.

The bouquet elements were all attached with liquid glue giving nice dimension where they overlap--no foam tape needed.  I finished off with clear Pico Embellisher dots & rounded the corners.  I'm also entering SSS Wednesday.

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

Mix It Up Feminine Tag

Good thing my hair appointment is today since we're under a Winter Weather Watch starting tomorrow.  I hate freezing rain--so glad I don't have to worry about commuting to work! Had to play along with Ellen Hutson Mix it Up with Art Impressions.  AI is an Oregon company & years ago they had a retail store where I shopped, took classes & even taught a few classes.  I was inspired by Kittie's wreath tag for 12 Tags of Christmas with a Feminine Twist.  

Maybe my favorite AI stamp is this gorgeous 2004 wreath which I double stamped in PTI Tropical Teal & Vintage Jadeite--love the resulting color which just happens to match the beautiful Lawn Fawn plaid paper I'd already cut into.  I cut the tag shape myself & used Stickles Christmas Red for the sparkle.  The die cut sentiment is EH Merry & Bright which I stacked 2 high & covered with Diamond Glaze--purposely leaving it white. I'm back into using my eyelets--glad I still have my setter & know where it is--haha!  I'm also entering Retro Rubber & The Playground. Thanks so much for taking time to stop by--I know how busy everyone is.

Art Impressions for 4th of July

Quite a few years ago, AI had a retail store not that far from me. I loved shopping there & even taught a few classes.  Many of my purchases were AI unmounted stamps & I pulled out 3 of them for this simple card to send to my brother.  Turns out Art Impressions has a challenge & it's Red, White & Blue, so I'm joining in.  I'll also enter over at Retro Rubber Challenge.

Still very hot here, so we're hoping the air conditioning doesn't give out--sure zaps our energy! Thanks so much for taking time to stop by.  
Edited to add: Also entering at Paper Sweeties where my friend, Maria, is on the DT.  Also entering at SSS Monday.