Last cards for Halloween...

Here are my last cards for the Halloween season. I am on to making Thanksgiving and Christmas cards and creating the cards for my next two parties! My girls are coming home for Thanksgiving, so I've got a lot of preparing to do for that, as well. Making food lists will take me forever, no doubt!

On to the cards! I have to apologize. This little bat was a freebie download from a blog I visited and I thought I had written the creator's name down, but I can't find it anywhere. If you know who this belongs to, please drop me a line so I can give her proper credit! There were six Halloween tags like the bat, and they are just so darn adorable and fits really well within the scalloped circle Nestabilities.

The background paper is from Debbie Mumm's Harvest Stack, and the bat paper is from Paper Studio. I punched the corner of the background paper with Martha Stewart's bat punch, cut a triangle out of the bat paper, and mounted both pieces to a black card. I printed the batty on Stampin' Up! Whisper white cardstock, then cut it out with my scalloped circle Nestabilities with the Cuttlebug. I left the cutout in the die, and sponged on lime green ink around the edges. I adhered that piece to black glittered cardstock, then tied a ribbon around the card. I added my batty piece with pop dots and finished it with lime green rhinestones. Card size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches.


For this next Halloween card, I used the same technique as my previous cut out cards. You can find basic directions on this post. All stamps used are from Stampscapes and inks used are by Memento.

This cutie of a card was sent to my sister, Robin, who giggled when she saw it! The ghost/pumpkin was a freebie by Nina May. I colored the image with Copic markers, then cut it out with the large scalloped rectangle Nestabilities. I left it in the die and sponged purple ink on the edges, stamped it with a swirly spider stamp (Inkadinkado) then mounted it to black cardstock. I used the Swirls folder on my background purple cardstock after punching the corners. I adhered my designer papers (The Paper Studio) to my purple panel, added ribbon and my ghost image, then mounted it to an orange card. I finished it off with rhinestones in the corner. Card size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches

Christmas cards...

I've started working on my Christmas cards, have you? The holidays will be upon us, and time will slip by before you know it! This first card is a delightful Santa from Plum Purdy Designs. I love her stamps, and plan to get quite a few more in the next few weeks.

I stamped Santa on Whisper White cardstock from Stampin' Up! using Memento Tuxedo Black ink. I colored him with Copic Sketch markers then dusted the edges with the Colorbox Stylus using New Sprout ink from Memento. I added highlights with a white Signo gel pen, then started putting the card together. The designer paper is a mixture from JoAnn's and Hobby Lobby. I finished the card with a white grosgain bow, rhinestones and a holly leaf button. Card size 5 1/4 x 5 1/4 inches.

(closeup of Santa's face)

For my next card, I borrowed an idea from a friend on one of my Yahoo Groups, and did my own interpretation of her creation. I've been seeing a lot of "clear" cards on cardmaker's blogs and thought to try one of my own. I didn't have any sturdy transparency (acetate), so I cheated and used a sheet of Frosted Shrinky Dink. It's a bit expensive to be using it, but it gave me the look I wanted! I'm sure there's something better on the market, but it was what I had in my stash.

The ornament cut out is from a template from a member on the Yahoo group and the challenge was to make a scenic ornament using it. I stamped my scene using stamps from Stampscapes onto glossy photo paper, then used the Colorbox stylus to add more blues and purples to evoke the winter setting. All inks used are by Memento. With my white Signo gel pen, I added stars to my sky. I cut another ornament out and stamped my sentiment and snowflakes (Inkadinkado) and laid it aside with the other ornament. Next, I stamped my snowflake (Inkadinkado) onto the Frosted Shrinky Dink card using Vibrant Violet StazOn ink. I added decorative pearls and a satin ribbon then mounted both ornaments to the front and back of the front panel of the card. The last touches for the front side of the card was a glittery snowflake with a soft blue rhinestone, and a silver peel-off sticker for the ornament "cap".

For the inside of my card, I used my Cuttlebug to cut out a scalloped square from glossy photo paper then stamped my Stampscapes scene using Memento Tuxedo Black ink. With the Colorbox Stylus, I added my color using the same blues and purples I used for my ornament. I finished the scene with my white Signo gel pen and added stars and ripples in the water. I mounted this piece to the inside back panel of my card. Lastly, I cut out an additional scalloped square from white cardstock and mounted it to the back of my card. Card size: 5 1/4 x 5 1/4 inches.

seasonal cards...

My first card is for the All That Scraps Weekly Wednesday Challenge and the requirement was to make a Tall Card. My card measures 3 3/4 x 7 inches tall! Most everyone knows I love sunflowers, so when I saw this darling image by C.C. Designs, I had to get her! Birgitta is a digital image as well as a rubber stamp! You can find her and other adorable stamps and images on the All That Scraps Online Store.

I colored Birgitta with Prismacolor markers on Whisper White cardstock from Stampin' Up!. I cut the image with my long scalloped rectangle Nestabilities, and dusted Memento New Sprout ink on the paper before removing it from the die. I laid the image aside and began to assemble my card. I stamped "Indian Summer" sentiment (TPC Studio) on a Martha Stewart tag using Memento Rich Cocoa ink. I added my designer paper to a dark olive card, then attached a pretty brown satin ribbon. Next, I adhered Birgitta and the sentiment tag to the card, added paper sunflowers (Martha Stewart) and finished it off with a few rhinestones.


I absolutely love, love, love black and white together and when I saw the Snow border stamp from Inkadinkado, I knew I had to make a card using just those two colors. I stamped my border stamp on Whisper White cardstock, and added my large snowflake (Inkadinkado) to the right of the border. Next, I stamped my border onto a black card with Versamark and embossed it with White Detail embossing powder. I mounted my white piece to the black card, added black pearls and a bow and was wonderfully happy with this creation. Card size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches.

I've shied away from "Changito the Monkey" by Stampendous for quite a while, but I just had to have this cute Vampire stamp with matching sentiment. I stamped both images using Memento Tuxedo Black ink then cut them out using the Labels 4 Nestabilities and the Cuttlebug. Before removing them from the die, I sponged Memento Lulu Lavender on the edges. I colored Changito with Prismacolor markers then laid it aside to assemble my card.

I punched two opposite corners of my designer paper (K & Company) with the Corner Spider Web punch by Martha Stewart. I added another dp and adhered orange trim and a black bow around the center of the piece. I mounted my two stamped images with pop dots to my card, glued it to a lime green card and finished it off with googly eyes and rhinestones. Card size: 5 1/4 x 5 1/4 inches.

1 Stamp, 3 different cards...

Recently, I stumbled upon a wonderful artist's website and found the cutest images! Of course, I had to show it to my sister, Robin, as she loves anything close to a snowman. The website is Plum Purdy Designs and we had to have "Too Much Snow", (a delightful fat snowman). We will order more soon, especially the Santa images! With this fat snowman, I made three very different cards to show the versatility of the stamp.

The first card I used several coordinating designer papers from Stampin' Up! called "Cottage Ivy". The striped pattern I purchased at Hobby Lobby. I stamped the snowman on ivory cardstock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink, then colored him with Sakura Gelly Roll pens and Prismacolor markers. I mounted that piece to a sage green cardstock and put it aside. I rounded the corners of the two patterned papers then adhered it to my main background paper. Next I added a soft green ribbon across the bottom of the panel and added snowflakes with rhinestones. I stamped "Happy Holidays" from Inkadinkado onto a punched tag, mounted it to matching sage green cardstock then added that to my panel. I made a matching bow and attached it to my tag, then mounted my snowman piece with pop dots to my panel. I finished the card off with rhinestones and glued it to a sage green card. Card size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches.


My next card with the smowman uses only two colors, white and gold. I stamped the snowman onto Stampin' Up! Whisper white cardstock with Versamark and embossed the image with gold embossing powder. I layered that piece to gold glittery cardstock and put it aside. I stamped my "snowflake trail" from Inkadinkado with Versamark on white Bazzill cardstock, then embossed it with the gold powder. I mounted my snowman onto the snowflake piece with pop dots, added shimmery stickers and then adhered the panel to a white card. A fast, easy, yet elegant Christmas card! Card size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches.

For this card, I first stippled a white panel with two shades of blue, then stamped my snowman. I colored him with Prismacolor markers, added some faux snow, and "snowflakes" with my white Signo gel pen, then put him aside. Next, I embossed Snowflakes on half of my card using my Cuttlebug and Snowflake folder. I adhered my designer papers (The Paper Studio) to my card, then added my snowman panel. I glittered a felt Snowflake, glued it to my card then finished it with rhinestones. Card size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches.

cute cards...

This week was my time to make some "cute" cards! I don't normally make cutesy cards but I've been having so much fun creating them lately, and I do believe I will do more! The first two cards are from a new stamp set I got at Michael's from Inkadinkado called "Friendly Characters".

I stamped the penguin image on Whisper White paper (Stampin' Up!) with Memento Tuxedo Black ink, then colored it with Prismacolor markers. I layered that piece to glittery blue cardstock and set it aside. Next I used the Swiss Dot Embossing folder with the Cuttlebug on my white card, and embossed a piece of glittery white cardstock with the Swirls folder. I added the "swirled" piece to matching glittery blue cardstock. I cut out a circle with the Reversed Scallop Nestabilities die, mounted it to my "swirled" piece and tied a pretty bow around it. I mounted that piece to my "Swiss dot" card, and finished it off with a glittery snowflake with a blue rhinestone. Card size: 5 1/4 x 5 1/4 inches.

This one is just too darn cute! I stamped the cow on Whisper white cardstock, then mounted it to a black and white gingham designer paper. I added charming photo turns with polka dot brads to this piece. Next, I cut out a Scalloped Circle with my Nestabilities Die and adhered that to glittery black cardstock. I punched a strip of white cardstock with a Martha Stewart punch, attached it to the bottom of my glittery cardstock piece and added a lavender bow. I mounted this to a white card, and finished it off with pearls. Card size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches.

I found three pretty coordinating designer papers at Hobby Lobby and just knew I had to use them with this dragonfly stamp from Michael's. I cut two pieces of aqua cardstock and mounted each with one of the papers, then put the last paper as the main background for my card. I stamped the dragonfly with Memento Tuxedo Black ink then colored with Prismacolor markers. I tied a peach grosgrain ribbon to one square, mounted my stamped image onto another square then adhered them to my card. I punched a scalloped circle, stamped the sentiment with Marvy "Caribbean Blue" ink on a smaller white circle, attached it to my scalloped circle then mounted it to my card with pop dots. I finished the card with paper flowers and decorative rhinestones. Card size: 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches.

Thanksgiving and a Puppy...

Is there a cuter card than this? I am so please with this card as I don't do "cute" cards often, and I don't know why because I LOVE them!! This card was made for my niece and fits the Crazy 4 Challenges theme this week which is Thanksgiving! I cheated and made two cards, one cute and one more elegant.

I stamped the "Gobble til you wobble", "Turkey" (both from Cornish Heritage Farms) and "Happy Thanksgiving" (Stampabilites) on Whisper White cardstock with Memento Tuxedo Black ink. I colored that cute turkey with Prismacolor markers, then adhered that piece to chocolate brown cardstock and put it aside. The designer background papers are from the Paper Studio, and I punched a Martha Stewart pumpkin border out of orange cardstock. I assembled my pieces on a bright orange card sized 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches, tied an ivory ribbon to the card, and finished it off with rhinestones.

This next Thanksgiving card uses Perfect Pearls, and a pretty leaf stamp from Stampendous. I just love their stamps! I stamped "Happy Thanksgiving" (Stampabilities) using Memento Rich Cocoa ink on Whisper white cardstock. I stamped the leaf with Versamark above and below the sentiment. I brushed purple, green and copper Perfect pearls onto the two Versamarked images with a paintbrush. I wiped off the excess dust with a makeup sponge, then tied a ribbon around the card. I attached chocolate brown strips to a olive green card sized 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches then mounted my leaf piece to the card. I added a rhinestone leaf and small circle rhinestones to finish the card.

This last card is a darling digistamp by Jules' Junk and you can see the rest of her images at Digital-Ink Co. I made this card for the Dancing in Pajamas TCP Tuesday Challenge. I colored the puppy with Prismacolor markers then added some snow and glitter to his hat and pom-pom. The designer background papers are from the Paper Studio, and the ribbon, rhinestones, buttons and flowers are from Michael's. Card size 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches.

More challenges...

So, today's posting is all about challenges! I love them, and it certainly stretches my imagination. The first card is a combination of two challenges, one by "No Time to Stamp? Stamp Simply #108" and the other is by "My Favorite Things: So You Think You Can Stamp" contest.

Stamp Simply #108's challenge was to use Kraft Paper paired with Black and MFT is to celebrate Dance: Flip, spin or lift, so I made a Spinner card! Of course, it had to be Halloween as this is a favorite holiday!


Using one of the larger Nestabilities Labels Four, I cut out my center opening, out of my kraft card and 2 pieces of the spider web paper (the Paper Studio). Next, going one size down for the label, I cut out 2 kraft pieces then with Versafine black ink, stamped my images: Tree (Hampton Art), Spider Web & Spiders (Inkadinkado), Spooky and small Spider Web (TM Designs). With stretch cord (in the jewelry section) I made my spinner piece by stretching the cord on the back of one of my stamped images, then adhering the back of my other stamped image onto the other piece, covering the cord. I attached the cord to brads at the top and bottom of my center cut out, stretching it tightly so that my images would spin when turned. I used Martha Stewarts Spider Web Corner punch for the corners, added rhinestones and highlighted areas with a Signo White Gel Pen. When you give this card, you turn the image about 10 times, then close the card. When the receiver opens the card, the image will spin! Card size: 5 3/4 x 4 1/4 inches. (Top image is one side, image below is the other side.)


My next card is a combination challenge as well. I needed to use Purple, Orange, and Olive Green for the challenge over at Pals Paper Arts, and a Mo Manning digital image and Purple for Mo's Digital Challenge. This delightful image worked well for both challenges!


The adorable little girl image was a freebie on Mo's group at SNR Card Universe and fits perfect for the orange, green and purple theme. I printed the image on Whisper White cardstock, then colored with Prismacolor Markers. I stamped "Trick or Treat" from Hero Arts then mounted it to an olive green panel. I cut a strip of Halloween designer paper (The Paper Studio) and adhered it to a punched corner purple patterned paper. I then added orange grosgain ribbon, then added this piece and the stamped image piece to an orange 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inch card. I added a pretty bow, paper flower embellishments and rhinestones to finish it off.


Lastly, this is the necklace I made for my daughter's birthday this year. Let me tell you, this was a bugger to make!!! She absolutely loves Jack Skellington from A Nightmare Before Christmas, and when I saw that someone made tiny glass Jack faces, I had to see if I could put them into a glass bead. WELL!!! I had never done this before and the glass pieces are maybe 4 mm, I'm talking TINY. So I melt the white and black glass rods onto the mandrel, make a pretty swirl, add some dichroic sparkly glass for snow and then take a deep breath! I plunged a hole into the hot bead, insert the glass face and melt it in a bit. This is where it got tricky! Since these glass faces are so tiny, you have to add a dollop of hot clear glass on the top of this glass face and it will magnify it. I only purchased 12 of the faces! It took me 12 times to finally make THIS bead! Some cracked, some got soot on them, others were smeared, and I was pulling my hair out! Finally, finally, a week before her birthday, this bead emerged! She loved it, and I had fun telling the story!

Snowy Thinking...

Well, I've been having enormous fun these past few days with "blog hopping". If you don't know what that is, it is a group of blog owners, sending you on a merry round of card viewing. A lot of them are from a particular design team, a stamp company's blog, etc. Some have challenges that include a "sketch" of which you can participate.

As an example, my first card is for the "Mercy's Tuesday Sketch Challenge #42", and you have to make a card using the sketch above, then post your card to your own online gallery or blog, then go to Mercy's blog and post your link. It's a way to challenge yourself with new card ideas!

My challenge card uses Hot pink Bazzill cardstock, and a Marvy Matchables "Caribbean Blue" ink pad. I first stamped the large snowflake (Inkadinkado) with Caribbean blue on white Bazzill cardstock. Next, I stamped my sentiment (Close to my Heart) on white cardstock, then stamped a tiny portion of my large snowflake on the corners. I next layered it to a hot pink glittered cardstock. I punched my upper and lower right corners with a Fiskars Emboss plus Punch, then added a few lines around three sides with my Scor-Pal. I tied a pretty teal bow around my card, then mounted my sentiment with pop dots. With a Stardust GellyRoll pen, I colored my snowflake, then added gemstones to finish the card. Card size 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches.

This next card is my version of a card on Andrea Walford's blog. Of course, I altered it for my own card, but I love the look! I stamped the flourish from the "Nightingale" stamp set by Inque Boutique in #3 Blue from Marvy Matchables. I then inked the snowflake (Inkadinkado) with #3 Blue and Prussian Blue on each half then stamped it so that it looked like the snowflake was hanging from the flourish.

I tied a pretty sparkly blue/gold ribbon that I purchased from Hobby Lobby, and added rhinestones on the flourish and snowflake. I next punched a snowflake border (EK Success) on blue glitter cardstock, mounted my flourish piece, then attached it to a white card. Card size 4 1/4 x 4 1/2 inches.

Thomas Kinkade and a Ghost....

It's Mojo Madness #107 and here is my entry for the contest! You can find out more on the Mojo Monday blog! I used a Thomas Kinkade stamp (Cornish Heritage Farms) called "The Open Gate" for this card.


I stamped my image twice on glossy paper with Memento Tuxedo Black ink, then heat set it. I cut a scalloped circle out of one image using a Nestabilities Die. I colored that image with dye based inks and a paintbrush. I cut the ends off of the second image, attached them to cardstock, and mounted them to a coordinating designer paper with two punched corners. I found a pretty white satin ribbon and put it over the bottom portions of the black/white images, then mounted the scalloped circle with pot dots in the center. I placed the circle carefully to align the image so that it fit on top of the other images and looked seamless. I finished the card off with rhinestones (according to the Mojo Madness sketch provided) and adhered it to a sky blue card. Card size 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches.


This second Kinkade card uses the "spotlight" effect and I used "It Doesn't Get Much Better" and "It Doesn't Get Much Better Vignette" stamps from Cornish Heritage Farms. I stamped both images onto glossy paper with Memento Tuxedo Black ink. I punched two corners of the full scene, stamped "Peace in the lower right corner, and dusted a bit of color in two corners with the Colorbox Stylus. I then mounted the image to sky blue cardstock, then to a teal card. I colored the vignette with Memento inks and a paintbrush, then adhered it to the black/white scene with pop dots. I added rhinestones to finish the card. Card size 5 1/2 x 4 1/4 inches.

Here's my card for the Crazy 4 Challenges Week 5 Sew Happy Challenge! How cute is this card? I have a darling quilted Halloween Banner kit using fabric, and thought that I could use the pattern for a great card! I scanned the pattern into my computer, resized it to fit a card, then cut out the pieces using patterned paper. I then put the pieces together onto a glittered black cardstock. With a black pen, I added the tiny "stitches", then mounted it to an orange card. His eyes are black rhinestones. Card size 5 1/4 x 5 1/4 inches.