Happy New Year!

It's a new year and time for new beginnings! As I said before, I am so excited to be a part of the Sweet n' Sassy Design Team and today is the first official day of Sneak Peeks for the upcoming release of stamps on January 7th! There are four sets being released and I will be showing them to you in the next days before the release! How much fun is this? I get to create cards with the newest stamps on the market before anyone else! Yes, I'm spoiled, and loving it!

On the left side of my blog, you'll see the list of the wonderful Design Team members and their blogs. Please take a moment and browse their sites and just see the creative talent I'll be working with in the next months.

This first card is from the Eskimo Kisses stamp set and how cute are these two? I stamped them on Whisper White cardstock then colored them with Copic Markers. I glittered the fur on their coats and hats, then cut them out and laid them aside. My designer papers are from the Wassail paper pad by Basic Grey! I am really loving their papers! My larger sentiment is a clear sticker by The Paper Studio and "celebrate" (Studio G) is stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink. I added a organza bow, nail heads and glittery stars to finish the card. My card is perfect for the Fresh Batch Sketch Challenge and for the OCC Challenge! (Sketch below) Card size: 6 1/4 x 4 1/4 inches

This last card is a digistamp that is available at Sweet 'n Sassy stamps. The Baby New Year is perfect for today's post, and I printed him on Whisper White cardstock, cut him out with the Inverted Square Nestabilities set that my sister got me for Christmas! (Thanks, Robin, I love you!) I colored him with Copic markers, then laid him aside to construct my card.

I found a new paper pad at Michael's I just HAD to have. It is called "Playful Posies" by My Mind's Eye and I just love every single paper in that stack. No doubt, you'll grow bored when I keep using it over and over again! I layered my papers onto a steel blue card, added an orange satin ribbon tied in a knot, and finished it off with a peel-off sticker and rhinestones. I used the new Star border punch by Martha Stewart for the striped paper, though it is hard to see! Card size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches

too exciting...

Remember when I said I had a big announcement before Christmas? Well, it's time to let you in on the secret! I'm so excited! I've been asked to join the Design Team for Sweet 'n Sassy Stamps! I am looking forward to sharing and creating with their amazing images. Sweet 'n Sassy is a small stamp company with an exclusive line of clear and digital stamps you can't get anywhere else. Their main goal is to share the love of Christ through paper crafting and they have a wonderful selection of spiritual stamps as well as all occasion and holiday images.

Please take a moment to hop over to their blog and their weekly Sketch Challenge blog and play along with us as we start our first sneak peaks of the stamp sets being released January 7th!

My first design is for the "Melody of Love" stamp set being released in January, and I just love this image! I stamped the violin on Whisper White cardstock, then colored the image with Copic markers. I distressed the panel with Memento Desert Sand ink, then sponged Marvy English Red ink on the edges. I stamped one of the many sentiment from the stamp set onto a scalloped circle cut out using Memento Tuxedo Black ink.

I mounted both pieces to my designer musical papers, then adhered the panel to a red card. I added a big silky red bow and rhinestones to finish the card. My card fits the Sweet 'n Sassy "The Sweet Stop" Sketch Challenge! Card size: 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches

a Chocolate Chip Cookie Day!

It's funny how quickly Christmas passes by and now we're ready to put the decorations away. I've already put my Christmas papers and embellishments back in the closet, and now am looking towards Valentine's and Easter. Time flies so fast. I know I made at least a 100 Christmas cards!! Whew!!

I made this fun card late last night, and it went together quick and easy! This card fits the Challenge over at Our Creative Corner where you have to create something that fits the theme "Celebrate Food or Drink".


I stamped my image (Hero Arts) on Whisper White cardstock, then cut it out with a scalloped rectangle Nestabilities. I dusted Memento Desert Sand and Rich Cocoa ink onto the corners before removing the paper from the die. I colored the cookies with Copics, mounted the panel onto Chocolate chip background paper, then added a ribbon and rhinestones to finish it off. Card size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches

My second card today is for the Mojo Monday Week 119 Sketch Challenge (sketch below). I used an adorable digistamp from Fred, She Said. I printed the image on Whisper White cardstock, then cut it out using my new Blossoms Nestabiliites. I sponged Memento Summer Sky on the cut out before removing it from the die. Next, I colored the image with Copic markers and added glitter for the snow, and her hat and coat.

I assembled the card using a background paper from The Paper Studio on a white Bazzill card. I cut out a scalloped rectangle from white cardstock, and a plain rectangle from a designer gingham paper (The Paper Studio). I adhered the panels, then added white satin ribbon, a bow with a polka-dot button, and a sparkly snowflake to finish the card. Card size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches

Merry Christmas....

I wanted to wish my family, friends and dedicated followers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year. Please take a moment during this busy season and try to remember the Reason for the Season, and how he has blessed your lives! I'm thankful and feel honored to have you in my life! God Bless You!

Here's another sweet digistamp from Fred, She Said, and I printed her on Whisper White Cardstock. I colored the image with Copics then cut it out with a Labels Four Nestabilities die using the Cuttlebug. The designer paper is from Bo Bunny called "Snowy Serenade" and it's a gorgeous paper and I let it stand alone without much embellishment. I added a ribbon, a few snowflakes, rhinestones and pearls, adhered it to a dark purple card and called it finished! Card size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches

A Moose and a Wedding...

What a fun topic this is!! All sorts of things come to mind, right? But, alas, it's just two cards I've made featuring a moose for Christmas and a wedding card! Yes, I know I said I was Christmas carded out, but the Moose had to be used! So let's see what I've created!

I think this card is one of my prettiest yet! Of course, the image I had to work with helped a lot! This beautiful rose is another digistamp by Fred, She Said. As I said yesterday, I recently discovered her drawings and fell in love with them. I immediately ordered a bunch and they are so easy to color! Just print and go! For the roses, she has them arranged so that they are singly or like my card above! I printed them on Whisper White cardstock, then rounded the corners with a corner rounder punch.

As soon as I saw the roses in this frame setting, I knew it had to be for a wedding card! I wanted white roses, so I used my lightest blue Copic marker to "enhance" the white, and used a mixtures of greens for the greenery. Of course, Seashell glitter had to be added with a glue pen to the roses for a beautiful sparkle! Once my roses were finished, I cut out two hearts with my Nestabilities, then dusted a bit of Memento Summer Sky on my heart with the sentiment (Studio G) which was stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink. I added a sparkly peel off sticker around the hearts where they connected, pretty pearls, and finished the card off with a satin/organdy gold and white ribbon and bow. Card size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches

This Christmas Moose is a delightful drawing by Nina May over at "There's Magic in the Air" and it's such a perfect image for a holiday card! This card also fits her "Magical Monday Sketch" which is below! I printed the digistamp on Whisper White cardstock then colored with Copic markers and cut him out with the long rectangles Nestabilities. I mounted my designer paper (Die Cuts with a View) onto an olive green card, then added sparkly peel off stickers to cover the seams of my papers. I stamped my sentiment (Studio G) on a small scrap of matching olive cardstock and tucked it behind my image piece. I added a satin ribbon, rhinestone flowers, and photo corners with brads to fit the sketch. Lastly, I just had to add the red rhinestone for his nose! Card size: 5 3/4 x 4 3/4

A Rose and Candles....

I think I'm "Christmas card" out! I sorted through my designer papers today and put my Christmas designs away in the closet! So, of course, I had to go to Michael's and get Valentine papers! They've got their papers on sale 5 for $1.00, so I bought some delicious prints! I've also stumbled upon a new digistamp company called Fred, She Said. She has some beautiful images and you definitely need to get some of them!

The Rose and Candle image from Fred, She Said is so pretty, and resembles the delicate Victorian florals I love! I colored the image with Copics and used a White Signo gel pen for highlights. I glittered the candles with Art Glitter Institute's Seashell glitter (I just love the sparkle it has), then mounted it to a glittery green panel. I used a new Martha Stewart punch called "daisy" on the Basic Grey "Bittersweet" designer paper. I adhered that piece to a white card, added my candles, pink satin ribbons and bows and finished it off with pink rhinestones. A very pretty card, perfect for a wedding! Card size: 5 x 6 inches

This little fellow is a digital drawing by Laura Dunkle and I colored him with Copics as well. I printed the image on Whisper White cardstock, then cut it out with the Labels 4 Nestabilities and the Cuttlebug. My designer papers are from the Paper Studio and Cloud 9 Design. I assembled the card using SCS Sketch #SC211 and finished it off with yellow satin ribbon, rickrack, button brads and blue rhinestones. My stamped sentiment is from Studio G. Card size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches

Sketch with a Spin...

Well, I had a lovely visit with a girlfriend this afternoon, finished two cards and went shopping for another girlfriend and her husband. Am I ready for Christmas yet? Heck no, but I'm ready to make more cards! Let's see what I made today!

Over at the Sweet Stop, the current challenge is "Sketch with a spin: Pocket Card" (sketch above). If you play, you'll eligible for a $10.00 gift certificate to Sweet 'n Sassy stamps store! I just love their images!


I used a digistamp from All That Scraps for this card! I just love S.E.I.'s Winter Song designer paper stack, and it was perfect for this little girl! I colored her with Copics, and added a bit of sparkly glitter to her wings, the ground and the snowflakes in the air. I punched the top and bottom portion of a red panel with an EK Success snowflake punch, then adhered the girl to it. I mounted her to a piece of designer paper panel, only gluing the top and bottom portions. This left the area for my pocket! I adhered my striped paper to the lower part of my card, and added a red satin ribbon. My sentiment (Stampendous) was stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink onto a small Labels 4 Nestabilities piece and sponged with aqua ink before removing it from the die. I added rhinestones and punched snowflakes to finish the card.


For my pocket insert, I cut out a larger Labels 4 Nestabilities in designer paper, and added punched snowflakes. I stamped my sentiment (TPC Studio) with Memento Tuxedo Black ink onto a small Labels 4 Nestabilities piece, then sponged with aqua ink before removing it from the die. I glued it to the larger label, then inserted my tag into the pocket behind the little girl. (as shown above) Card size: 7 3/4 x 3 3/4 inches


Lastly, here is a custom lampwork jewelry order I completed this week for a girlfriend who gave it as a gift! The jewelry set comprised of a necklace, bracelet and earrings and used sterling silver components, Swarovski crystals, and glass beads created by myself at the torch. (Showing necklace only)

More Christmas Cards...

It's less than a week til Christmas! Am I ready? That's just too silly for words! My son still has no idea what he wants for Christmas! Let's wait til the last minute, shall we? But in all fairness to Al, I did get him a new computer in the late fall and that was his present, sort of. Anyhoo, I've got all of my sister's family gifts wrapped and shipped on Thursday, and my daughter's are on the way as well! I do have good news, but can't tell you right now, so please stay tuned for an exciting announcement at the new year!

Because of the shopping, packaging and mailing, I'm a bit behind on the challenges over at Our Creative Corner. I try to keep up with their sketches and themes, and have combined their two latest because of my time crunch! I hope they don't mind! My card for the OCC Weekly Sketch Challenge - SASSC45 (above) works with their newest Holiday Theme Challenge - Let it Snow, as well!

This cutie is a digistamp by Stamps and Smiles and I colored her with Copic markers then mounted her to a Scalloped Square Nestabilities cut out. I used Martha Stewart's Icicle and Snowflake punches for the glittery white strip across the top, added rickrack and aqua pearls. My designer paper is part of a Winter Stack from Die Cuts with a View, and my glittery snowflakes are ornaments for a miniature Christmas tree. (I purchased them at Hobby Lobby) I finished the snowflake with a rhinestone flower, and glued them all together onto my purple card. Card size: 6 x 4 3/4 inches.

My next two cards are made with Christmas wrapping paper. As I was wrapping gifts last week, I noticed how pretty my paper was and how perfect it would work for cards. So, of course, if I can glue it to a card, I will! For this card, the Santa and the background stripes are cut from the wrapping paper. I adhered the Santa to a red cardstock panel, and glued the background paper to a matching red card. I tied a white satin ribbon around the panel, mounted the Santa to the card and finished it off with glittery flourishes, pearls and a red star. A fast and easy card using scraps from your gift wrapping. Card size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches


This cutie penguin was a square off of the wrapping paper I used for my sister's gifts! She loves penguins, and he's just too adorable not to use for a greeting card. I adhered him to a soft green panel, and added green rhinestones. I enhanced his color with Copics, and mounted him to my designer paper from a Christmas stack from Die Cuts with a View, then to a cream card. I glittered the felt snowflake with Martha Stewart glitter, and added a sentiment sticker to finish the card. Card size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches.

Holiday Cards...

So, it's 13 days til Christmas, and I have a 8 foot table filled with gifts to be wrapped, and what am I doing? I'm upstairs in my craft room making cards, of course! Let's see what I've been creating for the holidays! But first, I'm so excited to say that I'm the Feature Designer over at Our Creative Corner! They really liked my "11 Pipers Piping" for their 12 Days of Christmas challenge. You can see it here and here!

My first card is for "The Fresh Batch" Stamps and Smiles Sketch Challenge - SASSC44 and when I first saw it, I thought "Snowman!" I've done a lot of snowman cards recently, so I decided on a different point of view for this challenge. I rotated the sketch (above) 90 degrees to the right and used hearts instead of making the snowman. On to Valentine's Day!

The hearts are from a glittery package of Valentine die cuts by K & Company that I found in my stash. They were to replace the circles in the sketch, and I mounted them on designer paper from The Paper Studio. I adhered the paper to red cardstock and set it aside. My sentiment is a stamp (Stampabilities) I recently purchased at Hobby Lobby. It really says a lot, and if you've found that "someone" then you are blessed! I stamped my sentiment on ivory cardstock using Memento Rich Cocoa ink, then adhered it to a coral/pink strip. I glued my background paper (The Paper Studio) to an ivory card, then added a pretty knotted ribbon. I glued my hearts panel to my card, used pop up dots for my sentiment, and added puffy heart stickers to finish the card. Card size: 5 3/4 x 4 1/4 inches.

This little cutie is a digital stamp from All That Scraps and fits the Our Creative Corner Challenge this week. We had to create a Holiday themed card, and this little girl definitely fits the bill! I cut her out with the Long Scalloped Rectangles Nestabilites, then colored her with Copics, and stamped my sentiment (TPC Studio) with Memento Tuxedo black ink. With a Quickie glue pen, I added glitter to her pompom, hat and wings. I punched an olive green panel with Martha Stewarts "Presents" punch, then adhered my girl, and added pink rickrack. (I'm really liking the rickrack as a design element!) My designer paper is from a Christmas stack from Die Cuts with a View and I glued it to a dark olive card, then added my little girl panel with pop dots. I added ribbon, a bow, rhinestones and stars to finish the card. Card size: 5 x 4 1/2 inches

My last card uses a Multi-Step Pine Trees stamp from Kitchen Sink Stamps, and I just love the realistic images the stamps create. I plan to add quite a few of these sets to my stash! I stamped my pine tree onto a Labels Four Nestabilities cut out with the following inks: Memento Summer Sky, Marvy #3 Blue, Marvy Prussian Blue and Memento Paris Dusk. I stamped the sentiment (G Studio) with Prussian Blue, then added peel off stickers for the trim and ornaments for the tree. I mounted this piece to glittery soft blue cardstock, added ribbon , pearls and a bow, then put that piece aside. I used two of Martha Stewart's new punches on a brown panel, then mounted my tree panel to that piece. I embellished with brown and white pearls. I adhered this piece to my designer paper (Heidi Grace Designs), which I had glued to a blue card. I finished the card with a row of large brown pearls. Card size: 5 1/2 x 5 1/2 inches

11 Pipers piping...

Well, the house is quiet now that my girls and my sister have left! Wow, it was so wonderful having them here! We laughed, played cards, crafted and ate til we practically burst, then laughed some more! I miss them so much when they aren't here!

I am trying to catch up with the challenges over at Our Creative Corner and have combined two of them into one card. I've turned the sketch (above) 90 degrees to the right for my card. I've also made the card to fit the theme "12 Days of Christmas" with one of my favorite stamps from Judikins. My card fits the lyric "Eleven pipers piping,"!

On the twelfth day of Christmas,

My true love sent to me...

Twelve drummers drumming,

Eleven pipers piping,
Ten lords a-leaping,
Nine ladies dancing,

Eight maids a-milking,
Seven swans a-swimming,

Six geese a-laying,
Five golden rings,
Four calling birds

Three French hens,

Two turtledoves,

And a partridge in a pear tree!

For this card, I stamped my Piper on Whisper White Cardstock, masked him, then stamped my Musical score (Rubber Stampede) with Versamark and embossed with Pirate's Gold powder. I aged the card with Memento Desert Sand and Rich Cocoa inks, then colored the piper with Copic Sketch Markers. I adhered the stamped panel to a green cardstock, then to a diamond pattern background paper, and finally to a stonewashed green card. I added a satin ribbon and bow, holly leaves, gold pearls and a sentiment chipboard piece from K & Co. I punched a gold glittery diamond edge with an EK Success punch and created a diamond on the ribbon with more gold pearls. Card size: 5 3/4 x 5 inches

My next card is a sweet card using only gold and white for color. I stamped my Manger (Stampendous) on a piece of Whisper White cardstock I cut with a Scalloped Square Nestabilities using the Cuttlebug. I layered that piece to a glittery gold Fleur de lis Nestabilities cut out. I embossed two-thirds of a white panel with the Swiss Dots folder from the Cuttlebug, and stamped the sentiment with Versamark and embossed with gold powder. I wrapped white satin ribbon around my swiss dots panel, mounted my manger piece with pop dots, and added a satin bow and gold pearls to finish the card. Card size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches.

A good friend loaned this delightful bunny stamp to me, and I knew she was perfect for the Designer Paper from S.E.I. called WinterSong. I just love every sheet in that pad! I colored her with Copics and cut her out with sharp scissors. I mounted her to the dp, then to the coordinating cardstock included in the pad. I searched through my stash and found the pretty pink check paper and layered that to another piece of the Wintersong DP. The pieces were adhered to a white card, and a satin ribbon was added with pretty rickrack. I finished the card with a pink button, pearls and rhinestones. Card size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches

Cards without stamps!

Even though my daughters and sister are here, I've actually managed to make a few cards! We've been eating, shopping. crafting, and then doing it all over again! My first card is for Our Creative Corner's Sketch Challenge this week! I've made two cards without using rubber stamps and love them! Fast, and elegant, you can make these cards in ten minutes or less.

This is a pretty sketch with lots of possibilities! I used the new Holly Ribbons Cuttlebug Embossing folders for the background, and Martha Stewart's new doily lace punch for the glittery red strip going across the card. The ornaments are glittery peel off stickers that I colored with Sharpie markers. I added gold pearls, peel off strips for the hanging chains of the ornaments, tiny gold trimmed bows, and a pretty sparkly red Christmas sentiment sticker. Card size: 5 x 5 1/4 inches.

This next card uses more peel off stickers, and a Christmas bow with a Chickadee (clip art I've used before) printed on Whisper white cardstock. I cut out a Nestabilities label and used the frame portion and saved the other piece for another card. I mounted the frame over the Chickadee, then added gold peel off corner stickers.


I adhered that piece to sparkly gold glitter paper with an EK Success punched border, and added gold pearls to finish the card. Card size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches.

Happy Thanksgiving...

To all my family, friends, fellow card makers, etc. I want to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving! I am sharing a wonderful week with my children, who have come home from Ohio and Texas, and having a fabulous time! We stayed up late last night playing cards, laughing, snacking and I realized just how much I miss the girls when they aren't here! Sometimes it's not fun letting them "go"! sigh....

Gobble til you Wobble...

Well, my girls are flying home for Thanksgiving tomorrow, so I'll be extra busy for the next 9 days! I hope to post to the blog during that time, but it may not be as often as usual! Nessa has decided that we are going to craft the whole week, so I'll have a lot to show when I do post!

My first card is for the Our Creative Corner Color Challenge and I just love the colors of brown lately. I had shied away from it, but am learning that no color is ugly! As a "neutral" color, it practically goes with anything! Our colors for this challenge were to be Stampin' Up colors: Close to Cocoa, Pumpkin Pie, White and Chocolate Chip or close thereof.

This cute Turkey is by Stitchy Stamps, a digistamp that you can purchase at Digital-Ink Co. The sentiment is computer generated onto the pot before I printed the turkey on Whisper White cardstock. I cut out a scalloped circle Nestabilities using Whisper White cardstock, then sponged the edges with Memento Desert Sand ink while it was still in the die. I colored the image with Prismacolor Markers, then put it aside to construct my card. I embossed a white background panel with the Swiss Dots folder in the Cuttlebug and swiped Memento Rich Cocoa and Tangelo inks across the dots to bring them out. I wrapped a shimmery orange ribbon around the panel, then mounted it to a medium brown card. I used pop dots to raise the turkey circle up, then folded strips of ribbon in shimmery orange and brown organdy to look like feathers. Last, I added vintage buttons to finish the card. Card size 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches.

The next three cards is a series showing how you can use the same stamps in a scene and totally change the appearance just by using different color inks. The stamps are from Stampscapes, and are the Oak Branch and the Gulls. I stamped with Memento Tuxedo Black ink on glossy photo paper after the background sky was finished. This first scene was done with the Colorbox Stylus using these inks: Memento Dandelion and Cantaloupe, and Marvy Lt. Green, Turquoise and Oriental Blue. I punched a small circle mask for my "Alien Sun" using a post-it note. Card size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches.

This scene represents "Twilight" and uses the following inks: Memento Dandelion, Cantaloupe, Tangelo, Rosebud, Lulu Lavender, Grape Jelly and Paris Dusk. I also used Marvy inks: #3 Blue, Pale Violet and Yellow.

The last scene represents "Night Sky" and I punched a large circle mask from a post-it note for my moon. The following inks were using in this scene: Memento Summer Sky, Paris Dusk and LuLu Lavender, Grape Jelly. Marvy inks used: #3 Blue, Prussian Blue and Pale Violet.

OCC Challenge...

The Our Creative Corner Challenge this week was a doozy! I looked at it, and my mind started to whirl as to how I would construct a house and make it look like a greeting card! This post focuses just on this card because of all the steps it took to get to the finish! I hope you'll stay with me to the end to see how this glorious card came about!

This is the sketch (above) you had to use as a basic guideline for your card. When I saw it, I knew I'd need a bigger card than the normal A2 card size! The house alone measures 4 x 5 inches! I wanted it to appear like a Victorian home with the Gingerbread scrollwork and had a lot of fun figuring out how to do that. My new Cuttlebug Christmas folders came into play for this card! I have so many elements in this creation, so read on, to see how I did it!


I cut out my main house shape then embossed it with the new Holly Ribbons Cuttlebug folder. Next, I punched a doily strip using the new Martha Stewart punch, cut it lengthwise and glued my "gingerbread scrollwork" to the eaves of my house. Then I colored a wavy strip of peel-off stickers with a brick red permanent marker to use as the flat line of the roof. I mounted my "window" (see instructions below), added more "gingerbread", a wavy strip and a small holly button. My door is made using the new Tartan Cuttlebug folder from HSN, which gave the nice carved indents I wanted. I added a pearl for a doorknob, colored peel-off stickers for scrollwork, and used my white Signo gel pen for contrast. I embossed a companion piece of brown cardstock for my chimney and topped it off with a brick red strip. I added a "Merry Christmas" button and a Holly button to finish the house! On to the background!

I laid a circle mask on Whisper White cardstock (Stampin' Up!) for my moon, then sponged Memento Summer Sky on the entire panel using the Colorbox Stylus. I next added Marvy #3 Blue and Prussian Blue inks to finish my sky. I removed the mask, then stamped Santa and the Reindeer (Encaustic Art Stamp) with Memento Tuxedo Black ink. I sponged more black ink in all four corners of my card to darken my sky, then added small dots for stars using my white gel pen. The moon was a bit "too white", so I added Summer Sky ink to the surface for contrast.

My window is a digistamp from "Jules Junk" and worked absolutely PERFECT for this card! I colored the image with Prismacolor markers, added another piece of "gingerbread scrollwork" to the top of the window, a colored peel-off sticker and a holly button. I used the Signo gel pen for highlights!

I glued my house to my "sky" panel, added puffy paint and glitter for my snow on the roof , chimney, and ground, then heated it to make it "puff". I mounted the entire piece to a soft blue card. Now that my scene is finished, it's hard to imagine that there is only ONE stamp used on the entire card!!! Card size: 5 1/4 x 7 inches

Challenge Monday....

Yesterday was my day to make some cards for a few challenges! The challenges tend to stretch my imagination to create cards according to specific guidelines. My two Challenge cards today are from Our Creative Corner and Taylored Expressions.

Our Creative Corner sketch challenge was to make a card that looked like a postcard! I had fun with this one. I aged a panel of Whisper White (Stampin' Up!) cardstock with Memento Desert Sand ink. I took the ink pad and swiped it across the card, heavier in areas for a "vintage" look. I stamped my "Christmas Script" (Rubber Stampede) with Adirondack Lights Peach Bellini in the center of my card. Next, I stamped my reindeer, and sentiments (Inkadinkado, River City Rubber Works) with Memento Tuxedo Black ink, then wrote in the address, names and line with a black pen. I stamped the "North Pole Postmark" with Memento Angel Pink ink.

I mounted my Holly background paper by Anna Griffin onto a red card, then proceeded to put my card together. I tore the edges of my postcard panel, applied Memento Rich Cocoa ink on the edges for more "aging", then adhered it to my card. I added a satin bow, a pretty fabric poinsettia with yellow rhinestones, an acetate diecut, and gold pearls to finish the card. Card size: 5 1/2 x 6 inches.

My next challenge card is for Taylored Expressions Sketch and uses a digistamp from Pink Cat Studio. I just love their images and they've just released more for Christmas! I printed my turkey family on Whisper White cardstock and colored the image with Prismacolor markers. I cut the colored image with the Circle Nestabilities die using the Cuttlebug. While the image was still in the die, I used the Colorbox Stylus to sponge Memento Tangelo and Desert Sand ink on the edges. I mounted this piece to a Scalloped Circle Nestabilities cut out and laid it aside to put my card together.

I cut two strips of Debbie Mumm background paper from her Harvest Stack (I got it at JoAnn's), then mounted them to my cream colored card. I punched a decorative edge with a Martha Stewart punch on my word paper (The Paper Studio) and adhered it to my card. I tied orange twine with a bow to the card, then added faux stitching on the Debbie Mumm strips and Turkey piece with a brown ink pen. I used pop dots for the turkey piece, then added drops of Glossy Accents on the turkey's eyes. Card size: 5 x 6 inches.

My last card was created using a tutorial by Michelle Zindorf. As you know, I just love her work and this beautiful cardinal was begging for my attention. Follow Michelle's tutorial for how to create the snowy scene (a list of supplies is included with her tutorial).

Once my cardinal piece was made, I cut it out with the Circle Nestabilities die, then mounted that panel to a glittery white Scalloped Circle cut out. The fabulous snowflake edged glitter panel was made using the new Snowflake corner and edge punch by Martha Stewart. I mounted my cardinal panel to my snowflake panel, then glued it to a white card. A pretty satin bow and snowball pearls finished the card. Card size: 5 x 5 inches.

Winter Trees ...

I was in a "scenic" type of mood yesterday and created two scenes, one for Christmas and one for Thanksgiving. As most of you know, scenic stamping is my passion. You can evoke so much emotion into a scene, with the right color, trees, etc. Take a look at my creations from yesterday!

This scene is for the OCC Sketch Challenge (sketch below), and I had a specific idea in mind for this card. I wanted wintry trees against a blue background and had fun creating this scene. On Whisper White cardstock (Stampin' Up!) I used the edge of my ink pad and swiped color across the card using Memento Summer Sky first, then added a touch of Marvy Pale Violet to the mix to soften the blue. I added swipes of Marvy #3 Blue, and Marvy Prussian Blue to add the mountains, shore line and reflection in my water. I stamped my tree (Judikins) in Memento Tuxedo Black on the right and left side of my card, then overstamped it with Versamark and embossed it with white embossing powder.

(OCC Sketch - you should play along!)

Once my scene was finished, I mounted it to a white panel, adhered my DP (Hot off the Press) to another white panel, tied a ribbon, and glued it to a navy blue card. I added iridescent rhinestone stars to finish the card! Card size: 5 1/2 x 6 inches.

You know my love of blue and brown, and this snowman from Plum Purdy Designs begged to be used for this card. I stamped him on Whisper White cardstock, colored him with Prismacolor pencils, then added a bucket of glitter to give him a lot of sparkle! I then mounted him to glittery cardstock, and put him aside. I put together my card with DP from the Paper Studio, added a brown organza ribbon, rhinestones and pearls and topped it off with a glittered brown felt snowflake! Card size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches.

My second scenic card gives a warmer fall look with my wheat and sunset. My inspiration for this scene is from Michelle Zindorf's blog. I cut out a panel of Whisper White cardstock with the Labels 4 Nestabilities. I cut off the lower half and laid it aside. On the larger half of the panel, I sponged Memento Dandelion ink in the center with the Colorbox Stylus. I added Memento Tangelo and Marvy #3 Orange above the yellow, not covering it entirely. I then added a touch of LadyBug Red to deepen the sunset. Next, I laid a post-it note across the upper portion of the yellow, then added Orange, Tangelo and Ladybug Red to the exposed white area which would be my "water". I turned my post-it note around and sponged Memento Rich Cocoa ink along the edge for my shoreline. I stamped my wheat (Inkadinkado) twice with Tuxedo Black and highlighted it with my white Signo gel pen. I sponged Tangelo, Orange and Ladybug Red onto my second piece and stamped "Happy Thanksgiving" (G Studio) with Rich Cocoa ink. I mounted these two pieces to my punched DP (Hot off the Press) which was adhered to an orange card. I added my ribbon and decorative rhinestones to finish the card. Card size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches.