Thank You, Roxie!

Just a short post today....

Here's a peek of what I've posted on the Rubbernecker Stampin' Sisterhood blog today!

 I hope you had a terrific Christmas!

Christmas Wishes to You

I don't have a card to share today, rather this beautiful photo, quote and my wishes that you have a

Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!

Christmas - that magic blanket that wraps itself about us, that something so intangible that it is like a fragrance. It may weave a spell of nostalgia. Christmas may be a day of feasting, or of prayer, but always it will be a day of remembrance - a day in which we think of everything we have ever loved. - Augusta E. Rundel

Sisterhood Sunday - Silver Bells

It's time for another Rubbernecker Sisterhood Sunday challenge!  You, too, can participate in our challenge and enter a chance to become a Sunday Sister, as well as win a prize.  Get all the details on our Stampin' Sisterhood blog.

This week we were given this beautiful photo as our inspiration.

I absolutely love the vibrant blue and silver combo and, therefore, labeled my card Silver Bells (I love the song Silver Bells, too)!  Here's how I was inspired for my card design.

I stamped the Bells with Holly image with Versamark and heat embossed it with silver embossing powder.  The bells, bow, and berries were colored with Copic markers; the holly with Silver Smooch.  I painted glitter over the bow

Here's a complete list of the supplies I used:

Stamps:  Bells with Holley (#209-08)

Paper:  Brilliant Blue, Whisper White
Accessories:  Copic markers, Versamark, silver embossing powder, heat tool, Silver Smooch, glitter, silver brads, Classic and Lacey Squares Nestabilities, Martha Stewart Punch Around The Page Snowflake Punch

Again, please visit our Stampin' Sisterhood blog for the challenge details, as well as to see the designs of my Rubbernecker Sisters!

3D Ornaments and Looking Out the Window

For the CCEE Stampers' challenge this week, Frances challenged us to use an ornament in our design.  I used Stampin' Up's ornament punch to create my 3D ornaments.

I punched four of the ornaments from Debbie Mumm Christmas paper, folded them in half and glued them together for my 3D ornaments.  Easy peasy!  The ornament also lays flat for ease of mailing.

If you'd like to see what my friends Shirley, Joanne, Frances, and Cindy created and/or play along with us, please check out our CCEE Stampers blog!

I made this card for the Ways To Use It challenge on Splitcoaststampers to case a card of someone's card we have in our Favorites gallery.  I love this beautiful window card by jaydekay.  Here's my version:

I used these artsy trees from Rubbernecker's Snowflakes and Stardust set for the view outside the window.  I used Purely Pomegranate and white cardstock; Purely Pomegranate and Pesto inks.  The window and holly diecuts were sent to me by a friend.  I believe the window die is by Spellbinders.  The bird is a Stampin' Up punch.

Chillin Out

When I saw these adorable penguins building a snowman image, I knew I needed to add them to my collection of stamps! 

Three of my penguins were stamped twice, cut out, and popped up. I added liquid applique to the falling snow. For the snow beneath the penguins, I sprinkled dazzling diamonds onto the wet liquid applique and then heat set it. Added the falling snowflakes from MS Punch Around The Page snowflake punch. Did some doodling and called it good!

Here's a closer view of the popped-up penguins and the liquid applique snow.

Metallics and Glitter!

Hello, stamping friends!  It's Thursday, and today I have not one, but three, designs to share with you.

First up, is our Dolce Stamps and Cards challenge.  Fellow design team member, Tara, challenged us to use metallics in our design, and owner, Sandra, indicated she'd like to see some glitter used.

I stamped the poinsettia image with metallic silver ink and then heat set it with silver embossing powder. I watercolored the poinsettias with Razzleberry Twinkling H20 which are a metallic, shiny color.  The leaves and pines were colored with green Copic markers.   I used a small poinsettia die to die cut the center of the Sookwang ornament and covered that with Elizabeth Crafts Purple Highlights glitter.  I centered the poinsettia with a Robin’s Nest purple bead.  I used Elizabeth Crafts Lavender glitter for the rest of the ornament.

Please check out the Dolce Stamps and Cards blog to see what my Dolce sisters have designed, as well as to get all the challenge details so you can play along with us and be entered for your chance to win a gift certificate to the Dolce Stamps and Cards store!

Next up is my CCEE Stampers card.  Hostess Cindy challenged us to use chipboard in our design. 

 I used a round circle piece of chipboard and covered it with this beautiful rich, deep green Christmas designer paper by Bo Bunny.  The Santa image in the center is a Heartwarming Vintage cut by Crafty Secrets.  I used my Sizzix die for the brushed gold flourish behind the image; I used my lacey circle Nestability for the brushed gold background paper.  I know my cardstock LOOKS like kraft in this photo, but it is brushed gold by Stampin' Up.  I tied a piece of gold cord at the top to hang this as an ornament on my tree for now.

Swing by our CCEE Stampers blog to see what Joanne, Shirley, Frances, Cindy, and Tosha have designed and to get the details to play along with us!

Finally, I made this card for the Pals Paper Arts challenge to put on the ritz in our design.  I used lots of glitter cardstock for mine.  I used all Stampin' Up products.  The star is their small star punch.

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a fabulous day!

Getting the Tree

Please visit the Rubbernecker Stampin' Sisterhood blog for the complete details on my card!  Thank you! 

Sisterhood Sunday - A Sketch Challenge

Yes, it's time for another Rubbernecker Sisterhood Sunday!  Today's challenge is a sketch challenge.

I pulled out sexy "Carrie" for my holiday card today.  I watercolored her dress and wrap with Stampin' Up reinkers using Cherry Cobbler and Always Artichoke.  I colored her skin, hair, and shoes with Copic markers.  The polkadotted designer paper is from Stampin' Up's designer series pack - Regals Collection.

Please visit our Stampin' Sisterhood blog to see what my sisters Julia, Frances, and Jen created and the challenge details to see how you can join us with an opportunity to win a prize!

I'm also submitting my card to this week's Pals Paper Arts color challenge to use Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke, and Very Vanilla.

My supplies:
Stamps:  Carrie (Fashion Ladies 2010 - SKU #494-05);
Paper:  Very Vanilla, Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke, Stampin' Up Regals Designer Series Collection
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke
Accessories:  Long Classic and Scalloped Rectangle Nestabilities, Classic Circle Nestability, Candi gold brads, large polkadotted embossing folder, corner rounder, Copic markers, reinkers, oval punch, green organdy ribbon, marker, dimensionals

Snowflakes!

Yesterday I took pictures of the snowfall we had (you can scroll down to see them in my post from yesterday, if you're interested) and today I have some more snowflakes to show you!  Joanne (aka JoJot) is the CCEE Stampers challenge hostess this week; Jo challenged us---and you---to design something with snowflakes and bling.

While I was working on putting my design together, I decided not to make a card but rather something for this pretty white shabby chic photo frame.

Here's a close up of the smaller snowflakes at the top.  I punched snowflakes out of Bordering Blue for the bottom.  The white snowflakes on top are brads covered with glitter.  I centered them with blue gemstones for Jo's bling requirement.

Here's a closer view of the larger snowflake so you can see the glitter a little better.  The large snowflake is a Sizzix die, the Bordering Blue and white snowflakes are from punches.

Why not pop on over to our CCEE Stampers blog to see what Joanne, Shirley, Tosha, Frances, and Cindy made, as well as get all the details to play along with us?

Snow and Gift Card Sets

Here it is November 30 and we received our first real snow fall last night.  I love it when I wake up in the morning and the sun is shining upon the fresh, new snow.  I just had to take a few pictures and share them with you.

This is our view from our dining room window looking toward the east.  The snow was so heavy the pine tree branches were touching the ground.  Typically, we have a good 8-10 foot clearance to walk under this beautiful tree.

This is the same pine tree from a different angle and that is our barn.  The snow is quite deep in front of our sliding door!

I took this photo from my stamp room window, which is a view out toward our front yard and the road.  The snow built up a bit on the window sill and screen.

Here's another view of the snow in our backyard  from my living room window.

 Here's another shot of the pine tree branch hanging to the ground.

As I was taking the photos this morning, this doe came walking out of our woods.  She's headed toward the apple tree where the deer love to feed. 

Okay...so on to a peek of what I have created for my weekly posting on the Rubbernecker Stampin' Sisterhood blog.  I'd love it if you popped over there to see my entire project and leave a comment!

It's part of a gift card set.  I've actually been working on several sets for a customer.

Update:  Here are two other gift sets I made using Stampin' Up's Flight of the Butterfly and A Tree for All Seasons.  I'm entering the Butterflies set into the Just Us Girls challenge to create such a gift set.

Thanks for stopping by!  I always appreciate your visit and comments!  Have a terrific day!

Peace on Earth

I didn't get a chance yesterday to upload this card I made in honor of one of my friends, Dawn (DawnL on Splitcoaststampers) who was named Queen for the Day this week as we were busy celebrating a second Thanksgiving dinner with my husband's family yesterday.  Dawn's creations are always so beautiful.  I chose to case her Peace on Earth card you can see here.   Below is my case of her original card.

While my cardstock may look like Kraft in my photo, it is not; this is a beautiful brushed Gold cardstock by Stampin' Up.  I heat embossed the Peace on Earth sentiment with black embossing powder.  Why so much black on a holiday card, you may be asking?  That, too, was part of the Free for All challenge on Splitcoaststampers (SCS) to use black for a holiday card.  I also took the opportunity to try my hand at spirelli for the first time, using this beautiful gold crochet thread around a lacey circle Nestability.  It was so easy to do following this tutorial on SCS!  I was going to put a button in the center, but didn't like what I have on hand and then I stumbled upon this jar of little gold jingle bells in my stash.  I attached them with Aleene's Tacky Glue.

Dolce Stamps & Cards, CCEE Stampers & Pals Paper Arts Challenges

Happy Thanksgiving to my American friends!  I, like many of you, will be enjoying time with my family today.  However, I do have a couple posts to share with you beforehand.

First up, Edna from the Dolce Stamps and Cards Design Team challenged us to make a center step card.  You, too, can join us in this challenge and enter your card on the Dolce blog for a chance to win a gift certificate!!

I did mine using this adorable Merry Mouse image by Impression Obsession.

I colored this adorable mouse image with Copic markers.  I added lavender glitter to the small stripes on his scarf and dots of champagne glitter on the tree.  After I embossed the blue panel with a dotted swiss embossing folder, I went over the raised dots with a sanding block to whiten the dots so they appeared to be falling snow. 

Here's a list of the supplies I used:

Stamps:   Merry Mouse and May Your Celebrations sentiment by Impression Obsession

Ink:   Memento Tuxedo Black

Paper:  White, We R Memory Keepers dp

Embellishments:   lavender and champagne glitters, white snowflake brads

Tools:    Copic markers, Big Blossoms and Classic Square Nestabilities, dotted swiss embossing folder, 3D Dots, sanding block

Next is my weekly CCEE Stampers challenge card.  Tosha has been doing a 4, 3, 2, 1 countdown for the challenges in November, and we are now on 1.  Tosha asked us to make a one-layer card.  I kept mine VERY clean and simple with this cutie-patootie snowman image from Close To My Heart, their So Sweet Seasons stamp set.

I heat set the image with white embossing powder.  Then I colored the image with light shades of gray on the snowman's body, blue for the sky, red for his scarf, and black for his eyes and buttons.  I used my Copic markers which did not resist the white embossing!  Cool, huh?  I framed the image with the rectangle frame from this same stamp set and then added the little "brrrr" sentiment.  Lastly, I put some Star Dust Stickles on the snow on the ground.  You can't see the sparkle in my photo, but it's there!

We'd love it if you joined us in our CCEE Stampers challenge.  Just go to our blog to get all the details and check out the fabulous one-layer creations from Tosha, Cindy, Frances, Shirley, and Joanne!

Last, but not least, is my submission to this week's Pals Paper Arts challenge to use pearls in our design.  I used pearls for the center of my poinsettia.  I also made this card for the Ways to Use It challenge on Splitcoaststampers to use ribbon in a fancy way.  I did a ribbon weave around very vanilla cardstock.

I used Cherry Cobbler for my poinsettia (Spellbinder's die) and River Rock for the holly leaves and card base.

Thank you for stopping by and blessing me with your cyber friendship and comments!

Lazy, Lazy!

I must admit to laziness occasionally when it comes to posting my creations to my blog.  I'm pretty good about uploading them to my Splitcoaststampers' gallery.  Sometimes it's all about lack of time to keep up with both and sometimes I honestly wonder if it's worth all the work to maintain a blog.  My days just get away from me with all the things to do, and I just don't get all the time I'd like to visit and comment on the blogs of my stamping friends.  If I've missed yours lately, I do apologize.  Too bad I don't have a Mini Me who I could assign this task to---ha!  ha!  Seriously, I know how much I value the input I receive, so I really do try to support my blogging friends as much as possible.  Anywhooo, here are three creations I've made in the past couple days.  I've also been designing some clean and simple gift sets for a customer that I'll share with you soon.

First up is a very clean and simple (CAS) card I made for submission to the Winter CAS design team.  Our challenge was to use designer paper and ribbon.  I stamped my butterfly onto this pretty polkadotted designer paper and punched it out with my butterfly punch.  I added the 1/8" black/white tafetta ribbon for it's body and silver cord for the antennae.  This card is actually one of five that I made for one of the gift sets I referenced above.  (Stamp set used is Flight of the Butterfly by Stampin' Up).

I love the challenges at Splitcoaststampers as they help to get my creative juices flowing.  My friend, Joan, challenged us technique lovers to make a card using snow.  I went with a gray tone card with just the one splash of color for the tree in front.  In real life, it sparkles and has a soft glow to it.  I stamped the images in Going Gray and sponged Going Gray and Basic Gray for the sky.  I used Martha Stewart Tinsel Glitter for the snowy hills, and added red stickles for the ornaments on the green tree.  I also used icicle stickles for the roof top and some of the falling snow in the sky.  (Stamps used are The Moose is Loose Kittie Kit and Christmas Phrase Set by Rubbernecker).

My third card is one I made as a guest designer for the color challenge on Splitcoaststampers.  We were given the colors of Marina Mist, Pear Pizzaz, and Blushing Bride with a dessert option to make a Christmas card.  Well, I obviously forgot about the dessert option, but I suppose I could still use this for a non-traditional Christmas card.....maybe????   I had to substitute Blush Blossom for Blushing Bride. I did add just a hint of Pink Pirouette to my Blush Blossom watercoloring because Blushing Bride looks like it has more of a pink cast to it. I also don't have Pear Pizzaz so I used a mixture of Certainly Celery and Old Olive to get as close to Pear as I could. I used Glossy Accents on the Embrace bloom after I was done watercoloring.

You may have noticed that these cards are all pretty clean and flat.  I'm trying to be better about not adding too much bulk to my cards because they are easier (and less expensive) to mail that way.  (Stamp set is used an oldie, but goodie called Embrace Life by Stampin' Up).

That's it for now as I need to get some beauty sleep.  Thanks for visiting and your comments.  I really do appreciate them!