Hubby's BD Card

Yesterday was hubby's birthday & when I looked for his card the day before I couldn't find it. Oh well, good excuse to make a card, as if I need one--haha!  I planned to use one of my branch stamps, but then I came across this Savvy Stamps Birch Tree I bought long ago. Decided to see how it would look embossed with my newest powder--Stampendous! Sparkle & Puff. Gave me just the look I wanted--a snowy forest. The black frame is done with Lil' Inker Stitched Rectangle dies & the sentiment is an old one by Penny Black--love the font. Finished off with white paint splatters & I'm happy to say hubby really likes it. I'm entering these challenges: City Crafter Challenge Blog, Lori's Christmas/Winter Challenge #2, Penny Black & More and The Playground.
Counting down--6 shifts to retirement!  Thanks so much for stopping by during this busy season.

Wreath with Felt

My heart goes out to those affected by the flooding in the Pacific Northwest.  We are very fortunate not to have any trouble at our house, even though we're in the flood plane.

I seldom miss a PTI MIM challenge & this week I HAD to participate with the challenge being Embellishing with Felt.  Hard to believe now, but when I first saw felt used in stamping magazines I wasn't impressed. Eventually I thought it might be OK for snowflakes & then the bug hit me & I bought about 20 different colors to use for everything!  Today's card uses the PTI Twig Wreath stamps & dies.  I love that it works for any occasion--just vary the colors.  The inks are Brilliance Pearlescent Chocolate (also used for splatters) & Poppy (second generation) along with PTI Spring Rain & Fine Linen.  Decided a sentiment would detract, so just put it inside.  Only a couple more Christmas cards to make & mail--feels good!  I'm entering Lori's Christmas/Winter Challenge #2 & CASE-ing Christmas Anything Winter Holiday (challenge closing), Dies R Us Christmas Challenge, SSS Monday, Time Out Challenges photo inspiration & Twofers. Thanks so much for stopping by.

Fritz, Decorations & One Layer Cards

This is the life! Fritz loves to take over the bed when we get up & this morning hubby covered him with the quilt so I snapped a picture.  I call him my angel dog & so far he's keeping the title. He watched me decorate the tree & just sniffed at the lights & decorations--no grabbing them--yah!  Speaking of decorations, thought I'd show you 2 of my treasures. My grandmother did not appear to be the crafty type, but she certainly could be.  She made jewel Christmas trees for all of us one year, so I now have mine, my mom's & the one she kept for herself.  Isn't it beautiful?!  I also have some ornaments she made which I photographed on an antique plate she gave me.

I do have a card to show you.  Most of my cards are one of a kind, but knew I needed something quick, easy & flat for hubby to send his newly found cousins.  I used my very old DeNami holly leaves & a Penny Black sentiment.  I'm entering One Layer Christmas Card Challenge, SSS Monday, Lori's Christmas/Winter Challenge #2, Penny Black & More & Retro Rubber.

Thanks for taking time to visit my blog--I appreciate every one of you!

The Countdown Is Started!

I did it--turned in my resignation letter!  My last scheduled shift is January 6.  I'll stay on-call, but will probably work very little.  Mixed feelings with nursing such a part of my life for the past 41 years. I was one of the lucky ones who knew at a young age what I wanted to be & I'll always be proud of my career.  I'll miss the patients, but as with all jobs, there are irritations & stresses I'm ready to do without--haha!

Time for my PTI MIM splatters card which I finished after work yesterday, but didn't have time to post. This began with the other background I made using 3 green Zig markers.  My blogging friend, Shirley, stamps on her incredible backgrounds with similar colors & I wanted to try it.  I need a card for a friend who just lost a furbaby, so wanted something pretty & peaceful. Finally used my PTI Meadow Greens with Distress Inks mowed lawn & peeled paint along with Hero Arts Field Greens.  The blossom is heat embossed using Ranger iridescent powder called Enchanted Gold that I've had forever.  

The sentiment from PTI Through the Trees is stamped in Versafine Onyx Black.  I added some big splatters of black mist & little ones of Distress Stain tarnished brass. The black frame is made with Lil' Inker Stitched Rectangles. Thanks so much for taking time to stop by--so much on everyone's "To Do" list this time of year.  I've got to get Christmas cards mailed & decorate the house--how about you?
Entering Anything Goes at Penny Black & More & Flowers at Twofers.

Peace, Happiness, Joy

Hope you'll join us this month at Penny Black Saturday Challenge.  Just grab your PB stamps, dies or Stickeroos & show us a Christmas/Holiday project.  

I went for soft & peaceful using the beautiful PB tree called "sparkling christmas" & a sentiment from 2004--still one of my favorites!  I spritzed a panel of watercolor paper with Tattered Angels English Ivy mist. The tree was white embossed on vellum & attached over the spritzed panel.  I used an old Cuttlebug folder to emboss the card front before attaching the tree panel.  The sentiment was stamped in green ink, trimmed into a flag & mounted with foam tape. Finished off with the little white star sticker. I look forward to seeing your projects in the gallery.  Since my tree is white, I'm entering the Let It Snow challenge at SSS Wednesday & I'll join in the holiday challenge at ATSM.  I'm well enough to work the weekend, so I'll catch up with you as soon as I can. Edited to add: entering Happy Little Stampers Christmas Challenge. 

Merry Christmas in Pink & Orange

Thanks for all the get well wishes.  We all got some sleep last night & I feel much better today.  Decided to play with my Zig markers & make a background after seeing Marcie's card.  Mine didn't turn out like hers, but I've learned to use practice panels like this for die-cutting.  I really like the look it gives the SSS Holiday Frames.  DCWV silver glitter paper was used for the Impression Obsession snowflakes & behind the word "Christmas."  Love the SSS Falling Snow stencil which I used on the card front with embossing paste & Distress Rock Candy glitter.  I'm entering SSS Flickr Challenge #33 (Holiday/Christmas), The Challenge (Non-traditional Christmas Card) & Virginia's View (All About Glitter).  Thanks so much for stopping by my blog.

Christmas Cards

Thought for sure I'd beaten the virus after a week of just a scratchy throat.  Boy was I wrong! Tuesday afternoon it turned into a full-blown cold & I was miserable.  None of us got much sleep last night, but I do feel better today.  Haven't gotten any new cards made, but here are Christmas cards I haven't posted yet.  I had fun making some tags for Tracey's challenge & was even one of the lucky winners.  Since I need cards, though, here's the end result.

Included in the Blog Candy I won from Alexandra in January is a gorgeous Penny Black stamp set.  I love the elegant frame & beautiful font.  Here's what I've made so far.

One Layer with Glimmer Mist (Spray Glitter)
Entered at OLCCC & Virginia's View

Matted & Spritzed with Tattered Angels
Entered at ATSM

I used the beautiful Penny Black tree & sentiments for these cards.

Thank you so much for taking time to visit my blog.  I'll be catching up with all of you soon.