Faux Knitted Card

I played with my new Taylored Expressions Sweater Weather die this evening.  I drew inspiration from socks I had knit for my older sister a few years ago using a yarn that was variegated so even though I only used it and white, the variegation had a lot of value-add to the pattern.  For you knitters, this pattern is a variation of Mamluke in Folk Socks (I changed up the heel for durability).

To mimic the socks, I did a watercolor wash using shades of teal and green.  (I love this combo and must remember it for the future.)  I used the die with a metal shim while the paper was still slightly wet; it cut very cleanly.  I based the card on Freshly Made Sketches #119 after I did a search for a sketch with a skewed panel; I went quite literal with the star featured on the sketch.  I like silver with the green and teal so used that on the stars and embossed sentiment.  Rather unconventional holiday card but, hey, so am I (unconventional, that is).  :-)


The Details:  Taylored Expressions Sweater Weather die, Artist's Loft watercolor paper, Recollections 110 lb white cardstock and silver detail embossing powder, PTI Hawaiian Shores (I think) cardstock, Momenta star die, Fiskars All That Glitters sentiment, Elmer's spray adhesive, Scotch foam tape, Paper Studio vellum, Cuttlebug swiss dots embossing folder, Glossy Accents, Distress Ink Peacock Feathers and Mowed Lawn, Versamark

I'm entering this is Addicted to Stamps & More! #123 Holiday, Addicted to CAS #53 Dots, TIME OUT #19 Embossing with Optional Twist of Sparkle, Try it on Tuesdays Christmas is Coming, Inkspirational #70 Christmas with a Twist, Fab 'n' Funky #239 Diecuts

Make and Mail

I'm all bummed out today because I opted not to go to a crafty get-together with some bloggy friends because of the snow and the expected additional 5 inches.  I was so looking forward to it--poo!  I guess on the plus side, I get to spend some extra time with the kids who we don't see often.  I guess.  ;-)

I made these make and takes for the gals.  Cute, huh?  Since I wasn't able to give them their little kits, I'm hoping to mail them.

I used my Cameo a lot for this project--created cut files for the ME Arctic Penguins for mass production stamping and created stitched and regular tags.  Oh, the banners too.  It's times like these I'm glad I have a Cameo. 

The Details:  Mama Elephant Arctic Penguins, Jolly & Merry, and Landscape Trio die, "bright" which is from Penny Black  Merry Christmas Messages, Pretty Pink Posh 4mm sequins, Scotch foam tape, Glossy Accents, Spectrum Noir DR3, DR4, blender, GB1, OR1, Distress Tumbled Glass and Festive Berries (love this red!), Ribbon Boutique 3/8" ribbon, Paper Studio embossing folder

I'm entering these in Addicted to Stamps & More #123 Holiday 
Update:  im also entering this in Fab 'n' funky 239 diecuts and The Friday Mashup 187 Weather,

Upscaled Cards

I found some extra Christmas cards from years past and decided to alter them to include in my Caring Hearts pile.

I first cut out the portions of the original Unicef cards I wanted to use.  I didn't worry about trying to cut out exactly the same area each time. With the tree card I die cut some cardinals and popped those over the existing cardinals.  On the other I sponged a snowflake with Brilliance ink and popped it over the printed snowflakes.  For both I stamped a sentiment outside and in.  I then mounted these upscaled fronts onto a cover stock base.  Easy peasy, huh?

The Details:  upcycled Unicef card fronts, Lawn Fawn Stitched Snowflakes dies, Impression Obsession Birch Tree (the cardinals), Memento Tuxedo Black and Rich Cocoa, Brilliance Platinum Planet, Scotch foam tape, Glossy Accents, Recollections cream 110 lb cardstock

Seattle Christmas and New Year

I bought this a new product to try over the weekend--molding paste by Art C.  Have you heard of it?  It's thinner than my regular embossing paste by Dreamweaver and is slightly tacky.  I've come to the conclusion it reminds of diluted caulk.

I spread it over my star embossing folder and set it aside to dry.  I'm guessing that took about 15 minutes but I was multitasking.  I then cut out the Seattle skyline twice, once in silver cardstock and again in black to serve as the offset shadow.  I stamped the sentiment before gluing the two skylines together.  I popped up the silver glitter paper star.  Don't you love all the different metallic elements?

My plan is to use this card as a Christmas and Happy New Year card. I need to keep a look out for a good New Year's sentiment.

The Details:  Impress die, Memory Box Stars Starring Nights stencil, Art C silver molding paste, Recollections white and black 110 Lb cardstock and glitter cardstock, mystery silver cardstock, Momenta star die

I'm entering this in Fusion Sparkly Christmas, TIME OUT #19 Embossing with the optional twist of sparkle, Inkspirational #70 with Optional Twist of No Red/Green   

Krafty Candles

A very simple card today.  I couldn't resist using my new MB die.  I certainly am getting my money's worth out of that holly berry embossing folder.  I've colored the leaves and flames with chalk inks; I can't even remember the last time I used that stuff.  The berries are colored with marker.  Very pretty and vintage.  You really can't tell in the photo but the chalk inks are pearlescent. 

The Details:  Memory Box Glowing Candles die, Momenta sentiment, PTI kraft cardstock, Recollections cream 110 lb cardstock, Pebbles Pearlescent Chalks, Paper Studio embossing folder, Spectrum Noir DR2

I'm entering this in The Card Concept #23, Daring Cardmakers Something Old (chalk inks)/Something New (candle die), Less is More #199 Jingle All the Way, Allsorts #286 No Designer Papers

Update:  also used Memento Tuxedo Black

The Perfect Backdrop Plus a Quick Tutorial

Isn't my little Frankie the best photo prop ever?  <insert sappy kitty kisses>


I picked up yet another Lawn Fawn set which has proven to be very versatile.  It will be even more so once I get around to using the matching dies.  I tried a few variations of this card.  Which is your fav?  Btw, this would make a great one-layer card too.

Stamp the sentiment.  I liked it best north of vertical center.  I did find it easier if planning to mount this to cut it to the right size prior to stamping.

Mask the sentiment.  I used washi tape (this particular one makes me smile but it's lost most of its sticky so perfect for masking but that's about it.  Under other circumstances I would have used my Scotch removable tape.)  Stamp greenery in a few colors of green for interest.  Stamping off works too.

Stamp a few pine cones.  I stamped the pinecones in a lighter brown than the sentiment.

Remove the mask and add the berries.  I covered mine in Glossy Accents.

So easy and entertaining.  I like how each card will be similar but not the same.  Truly handmade!

The Details:  Lawn Fawn Deck the Halls, Recollections cream 110 lb cardstock, kraft cardstock, Esse brown coverstock, Pop Tone red cardstock, Distress inks (shabby shutters, evergreen, barn door, walnut stain), Memento rich cocoa, Hero Arts Merry Christmas Messages

I'm entering this in The Card Concept #23 Krafty Christmas (CAS), Allsorts #286 No Designer Papers, Just Us Girls #268 Photo Inspiration

Holiday Card for the Visually Impaired

I so love the texture and depth of this twist on a more traditional card.  My kid sis rehabilitates the blind so we're always on the look out for things that would work well for a person who's visually impaired.  Close your eyes and imagine what you'd "see":  the edges where the green panel meets the red, nubbly background stars, a raised line, the shape of the tree, the texture of the washi tape, the edges where the different tapes meet, the popped up star's dotty edges and slick feel, the embossing on the sentiment.  A lot to experience, no?  I need to ask my kid sis if her braille machine would work with this cardstock.  If not, Enamel Accents?

Also, on my soapbox here, visually impaired isn't just blind.  Many of us will experience degenerating sight as we age (argh) so think about those people in your life who may appreciate receiving a card with texture, larger sentiments (I specifically bought this HA set because of the sentiment sizes) and high contrast.

The Details:  various washi tapes, PTI Fresh Snow ink, Bazzill cardstock, Pop Tone wild cherry cardstock, Recollections white 110 lb cardstock base, Paper Studio embossing folder, Hero Arts sentiment, Little B star die, gold mirror board

I'm entering this in Holly Jolly Christmas Colour Choice (red, green, white), Inkspirational #69 Shine, TIME OUT #19 Embossing (without sparkle option)

Avery Elle Storage Pockets on Sale!!

FYI that the AE storage pockets I love are 30% off with Prime shipping at Amazon as of this writing.  This makes them $6.30. 

If you go through the Splitcoast Stampers link, part of your purchase helps that. 

Jolly Penguin

With this card I went with happy blue colors on the panel to anchor the skating penguin.  I sponged on some iridescent ink afterwards for shimmer.  I love the LF snow stamp, don't you?  I used pigment ink and stamped some outside of the panel.  Hopefully the recipient will notice that fun detail.  Next stamped the sentiment and the penguin I colored with markers.  Remarkable the depth that splash of yellow on its belly creates.  Of course, also makes me think of pee.

I wasn't satisifed with my early attempt at the panel so ended up making myself a rectangular sponging stencil out of chipboard.  It's a really good size for a focal panel so expect to see it regularly in the future.  I tend to press too hard at first when I sponge and thus leave spong marks.  Ugh.  The chipboard stencil helps because I start sponging on top of it and then move over the cardstock.  It's the perfect thickness to allow my heavy hand to transition without blobs of color.  Love!


The Details:  Mama Elephant Arctic Penguins and Jolly & Merry stamps, Lawn Fawn Deck the Halls (snow stamp), Spectrum Noir markers, Distress Ink Peacock Feathers, Tumbled Glass & Broken China, VersaFine Onyx Black, Brilliance Planet Platinum, Papertrey Ink Fresh Snow, Scotch foam tape

I'm entering this in Addicted to Stamps & More #122 Make Your Mark, Naughty or Nice Festive Furballs, Sweet Stampin' To Die For, Just Us Girls #267 Red, Turquoise, Gold/Yellow, Christmas Cards All Year 'Round No Patterned Paper

Phoning in Some Cards

Last year my kid sis gave me a bunch of Xmas stickers, borders, printed vellum, etc.  Really nice but they've been gathering dust as I'm not much of a sticker person and then it occurred to me I could put them to really good use for the Caring Hearts Card Drive. Ding, ding, ding! 

These are just a sample of some of the cards I made using the gifted supplies.  Honestly, I felt like I was phoning it in because the borders and vellum do the work so I stitched the elements on and/or added dry embossing to make the cards more handmade.  The stitching was a no brainer since I already had the machine out after I whipped up a new bed for Frankie, having tossed out his fleecy flea-ridden one (ewww!).  He loves his new craft table bed and I love his flea meds.  Win, win!