Monday, September 30, 2019

Santa's Express - September Rudolph Days



Hi, Friends.....

Quick post here to share a fun project using some Christmas train stickers to make a long format card. Are you like me......you have stickers in your stash that never get used? I am delighted to finally get this little train set put together and onto a card.


(Sadly I can't remember where I got these stickers....so please forgive me if you are the kind friend who sent them to me. I try to make a note on the package where I got things, but this was unlabeled. Please let me know in the comments if you were the one!)

I splattered the background with Distress Inks and added some fun die cut snowflakes from scrap pieces of cardstock.
Supplies used include:
Christmas sentiment stamp from stash
Versafine ink in Crimson Red
Provo Craft "Santa's Express" stickers
Sweet Dixie - 4 Layering Snowflakes die set
Scraps of Vanilla Cardstock
Distress Inks in Faded Jeans and Fired Brick for splattering  

Hope you enjoyed this card.  Maybe it will inspire you to hunt through your sticker stash and use some for quick and fun cards.

🖤
Janis


Thank you for the honor of entering this card in the following challenges:
1. September Rudolph Days at Scrappy Mo's
2. Christmas Kickstart Challenge #20 - It's a Gift!
3. Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge #457
4. Crimbo Crackers Challenge #194
5. Pixie's Snippets Playground Challenge #362
6. Creative Fingers Challenge #171 - AG
7. DL.Art September Linky
8. Stick It Down September Sketch (I turned the sketch on its side.)

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Purr-ple Purr-thday



Hi, Friends......

I am here with a sweet little kitty birthday card I made for my granddaughter. She's nine now.....how did that happen???!!!

I am using an adorable set from Clearly Besotted that the loveable Di Wray sent to me awhile back. (THANKS, Di!!) I will enter this card in the Simon Says STAMPtember Clearly Besotted Collaboration Challenge.

I wanted to put a party hat on this festive feline, so I masked the kitty and stamped the hat. The problem was that the hat is an old wood mount stamp, so I was kind of flying blind on where to stamp. I practiced and practiced on scratch paper (heh!) and finally gave it a go on this piece of leftover Easter Egg dye background. I put an oval mask over the kitty and stenciled the background with Distress Inks, using the same inks to watercolor the kitty. I added a MFT sentiment and some Pretty Pink Posh sequins...and even put a bit of glitter on the pompom of the party hat. Sweet!




Supplies used include:
Clearly Besotted - You are Purrfect stamp set
My Favorite Things - Cat-itude stamp set
Party Hat stamp from stash
Tsukineko - Memento Ink
Winnie & Walter - Scenery: Triangled Creative Screenings
Pretty Pink Posh - Sparkling Clear Mix sequins
Winnie & Walter - Essentials: Katharine Cutaways die set
Canson -140 lb XL Watercolor Pad
Core'dinations/Darice solid cardstock

Hope you enjoyed this sweet card. Are you getting all ready for fall at your house? We have freezing temps and SNOW predicted for this weekend....(this is early for snow even for Idaho!!).....so I picked everything out of my garden and we got our two plum trees harvested. So I have been knee-deep in fruit and veggies to take care of. 

Thank you for stopping by today!!!

🖤
Janis



Thank you for the honor of entering this card in the following challenges:
1. Simon Says STAMPtember Clearly Besotted Collaboration Challenge
2. Simon Says STAMPtember Pretty Pink Posh Collaboration Challenge - I used PPP sequins
3. MFT September Birthday Challenge - Add a Cat &/or Dog
4. Kat Scrappiness September Challenge - Sequins/Sprinkles
5. Addicted to Stamps Challenge #177 - For a Lady/Girl
6. SUYP Challenge #46 - Furry Thing Goes
7. DL.ART September Linky Challenge
8. Word Art Wednesday Challenge Weeks #406-#407
9. CARDZ-TV Anything Goes Challenge #99
10. Papercraft Challenges #46 - No Designer Paper
11. SSS Monday Challenge - Real or Faux Stitching
12. SSS Work It Wednesday, Celebrate
13. Creative Fingers Challenge #171 - AG
14. Dare2BArtzy September Challenge - Your Favorite Color (I love ALL colors, but pink and purple are some of the top ones.)

15. STAMPlorations summer theme and sketch, AG with stamps

16. STAMPlorations Summer Mixed Media Challenge

Friday, September 20, 2019

Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming


Hi, Friends.......

I am here with another card to share in the Simon Says STAMPtember Gina K Designs Collaboration Challenge. When I made THIS CARD with the layered roses, I made two of the backgrounds. I decided to turn this one into a Christmas card. I sooooooo wish there were some Christmas stamp sets with rose motifs, because I love the old carol "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming". I think roses make lovely Christmas cards.

For this card, I layered Noel diecuts, added some sparkly glitter to the roses, and glued a few clear sequins here and there. Placing it on a red card base gives it a festive Christmas feel. What do you think? I really love how it turned out.


Supplies used include:
Gina K. Designs - Old Country Roses stamp set
Distress Inks for flowers and leaves
Canson - Mixed Media Paper
Leftover Easter egg dye for background
Winnie & Walter - Essentials: Katharine Cutaways die set
Winnie & Walter - In a Word: Noel Cutaway die
Pretty Pink Posh - Sparkling Clear Mix sequins
Glitter from stash
Scraps of DCWV solid cardstock
Darice/Core'dinations cardstock for card base

Hope you enjoyed seeing this second rendition of my background. Thank you for stopping by today!!!

🖤
Janis


Thank you for the honor of entering this card in the following challenges:
1. Simon Says STAMPtember Gina K Designs Collaboration Challenge
2. Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge #455 - AG Christmas
3. Papercraft Challenges #46 - No Designer Paper
4. Double D Challenges - Focus on the Sentiment
5. ABC Christmas Challenge - S is for Sparkle (I used glitter and sequins for Sparkle.)
6. Crimbo Crackers Challenge #193 - AG Christmas
7. Creative Crafters Challenge #20 - AG
8. Allsorts Week 537 Challenge - AG + Opt Twist Photo Inspiration (I took inspiration from the Holiday sentiment and the flowers.)

9. Dare2BArtzy September Challenge - Your Favorite Color (I love ALL colors, but pink is a perennial fave.)

Thursday, September 19, 2019

Making Spirits Bright



Hi, Friends.....

I am here with another card for the Simon Says STAMPtember Memory Box Collaboration Challenge. Are you loving the fun challenges SSS is doing this month as much as I am??? I am playing with some products that I haven't used for a long time. Yay!!

I also used the fun September Stick-It-Down Card Sketch:


I am always in a quandary as to the best way to adhere these intricate diecuts. My ancient sticker makers leave shiny sticky webs that are a pain to clear out. I don't have a really tiny point liquid glue bottle. I have not splurged on double adhesive backed sheets.

So what I did here was smooth a thin layer of Ranger - Multi Medium Matte with my all-purpose tool of choice (a halfway-straightened out paperclip!) along the back of this diecut. Since the starry background is matte, any traces that oozed out from behind were completely invisible after it was dry. Even under careful examination, I can barely discern where there was any excess...and I know there was some!

You can't tell in the photo but the snowflake heart diecut is made from shimmery pearl cardstock. So pretty! The beautiful rhinestones are ones that crafty friend Teresa Doyle sent to me some time ago. (THANKS, Teresa!!) I love that they are a shaded hue and blend into the sky so well, yet add that dash of sparkle!!



Supplies used include:
Memory Box - Snowflake Love Pendant (retired)
Ranger - Multi Medium Matte
Memory Box - Making Spirits Bright stamp set
Winnie & Walter - Essentials: Tilda Cutaways die set
Versamark ink
WOW! Embossing Powder - Opaque Bright White Regular
AB Rhinestones from Teresa Doyle
Scraps of DCWV patterned and shimmery cardstock

Hope you enjoyed this card. I am so grateful for your visits to my blog and for your lovely comments. Hope all is well at your homes as you settle into autumn.......or spring for my friends at the bottom of the world!! :) Have a lovely day.

🖤
Janis


Thank you for the honor of entering this card in the following challenges:
1. Simon Says STAMPtember Memory Box Collaboration Challenge
2. Stick-It-Down September Card Sketch Challenge
3. Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Monochrome
4. Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper September Challenge
5. Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge #455 - AG Christmas
6. House that Stamps Built DCC-S419 - Begins with B (I used a the word Bright.)
7. Crimbo Crackers Challenge #193 - AG Christmas
8. Creative Crafters Challenge #20 - AG
9. DL.ART September Linky Challenge
10. ABC Christmas Challenge - S is for Sparkle (I used rhinestones for Sparkle.)
11. Crimbo Crackers Challenge #193 - AG Christmas
12. Word Art Wednesday Weeks #404-405 - AG
13. STAMPlorations Summer Theme and Sketch, AG with stamps

14. STAMPlorations CAS Challenge

You're Such a Dear



Hi, Friends......

I am here with a purple monochromatic card I was asked to make for someone who loves purple. A deer trophy mount might not seem the normal thing to put on a lady card, but she also is a deer hunter...so I think it works.

I wanted to add something to the solid background, so I stamped a woodgrain pattern and then tore the edges. I like how the ink from the stamping penetrated the fibers of the paper and you can see the grain on the torn parts.

The doily got a little bit lost against that dark background, so I cut a white circle to lay underneath it to highlight the deer head. The rhinestones and scalloped panel add a feminine touch to counteract the masculine motifs.



Supplies used include:
The Craft's Meow - Rustic Greetings stamp set (retired)
Versafine ink in Imperial Purple
Recollections - Woodgrain stamp (retired)
Winnie & Walter - Essentials: Audrey Cutaways die set
Doodlebug - Mini Doilies
Scraps of DCWV paper and white cardstock
Distress Ink for smooshing
Rhinestones from stash
Darice/Core'dinations solid cardstock

Hope you liked this card with its interesting mix of motifs and embellishments. Thank you for stopping by.

🖤
Janis


Thank you for the honor of entering this card in the following challenges:
1. TCP Tuesday September challenge, use layers
2. Word Art Wednesday Weeks #404-405 - AG
3. Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Monochrome
4. Papercraft Challenges #46 - No Designer Paper
5. Power Poppy Creative Confetti - Out of the Ordinary Background (I stamped and tore the edges of my background for a rustic effect.)
6. House that Stamps Built DCC-S419 - Begins with B (I used a buck.)
7. Penny Black and More September Challenge - Animals
8. Creative Crafters Challenge #20 - AG
9. Dare2BArtzy September Challenge - Your Favorite Color (I love ALL colors, but purple is one of my top faves.)

10. STAMPlorations Summer Theme and Sketch, AG with stamps
   

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Scandi Christmas

Love this picture so much!!  My long-haired cats are the same way in the winter.  They barely realize it is snowing and they are so insulated the snow hardly melts when it hits them.


Hi, Friends......

I haven't had a chance to play along with Jo's Christmas Kickstart Challenge for several weeks, but I managed to get creative and make something for her Scandinavian Holiday theme.

I used a variety of stamps from my Christmas stash, but most are from a Memory Box set. These stamps are not specifically Scandi, but I hope I got the look. I am entering the Simon Says STAMPtember Memory Box Collaboration Challenge with this card, too.


I knew I wanted to do a Black and White color scheme. But while I was at it, I did the same stamps on green and also reversed the black and white elements for a mostly white card. Which is your favorite?

I really like the dramatic black background and the subtle texture that heat embossing adds. Maybe I am weird, but I love running my fingertips over embossed images!



















Supplies used include:
Memory Box - Making Spirits Bright stamp set
The Craft's Meow - Rustic Greetings stamp set (retired)
Inkadinkadoo - Holiday Assortment #60-30026 (retired)
Versamark Ink
WOW! Embossing Powder - Opaque Bright White Regular
Versafine Ink in Onyx Black
Clear embossing powder from stash
Winnie & Walter - Essentials: Katharine Cutaways die set
Core'dinations/Darice Solid Cardstock

Thank you for stopping by today. I am glad to get a few more Christmas cards added to my stack. It will be time to mail them out before we know it!!!

🖤
Janis




Thank you for the honor of entering this card in the following challenges:
1. Christmas Kickstart Challenge #19 - Scandinavian Holiday
2. Simon Says STAMPtember Memory Box Collaboration Challenge
3. Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Monochrome
4. Papercraft Challenges #46 - No Designer Paper
5. Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge #455 - AG Christmas
6. The Artistic Stamper September Challenge - Black and White
7. ABC Christmas Challenge - T is for Texture (I added texture by heat embossing.)
8. Time Out Challenge #144 - Photo Inspiration (I was inspired by the mix of black and white patterns.)


Baggy Shirts and Yoga Pants


Hi, Friends......

I am here with a card for the Simon Says STAMPtember Art Impressions Collaboration Challenge. I love this fun set with the ladies chatting and gossiping over lattes. I am not that great of a colorist, but it is fun to give it a try sometimes. :)

I used the colors from the current MFT Color Challenge for this autumny card.


This image is rather......(ahem).....large.....so I put it on a 5-1/2" square card, instead of my usual A2 size.
I stamped and colored my image onto a watercolor marker refill background. You can see a subtle peach color behind the ladies.



Supplies used include:
Simon Says Stamp: Art Impressions - Pumpkin Spice stamp set (from a STAMPtember collaboration several years ago!)
Tsukineko - Memento Ink in Rich Cocoa
Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers
M&C Boutique - Large Circle Frame die set
Distress Ink in Walnut Stain
Canson - Mixed Media Paper
Scraps of DCWV patterned cardstock and Darice/Core'dinations solid cardstock

Thank you so much for stopping by today! I hope your week is going well.

🖤
Janis


Thank you for the honor of entering this card in the following challenges:
1. MFT Color Challenge #125
2. Simon Says STAMPtember Art Impressions Collaboration Challenge
3. TCP Tuesday September challenge, use layers
4. Word Art Wednesday Weeks #404-405 - AG
5. Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper September Challenge
6. Let's Craft and Create Challenge #151 - AG + Add Extra Layers
7. Power Poppy Creative Confetti - Out of the Ordinary Background (I used one of my watercolor marker refill water backgrounds.)
8. Craft Stamper TIMI September Challenge - AG with Stamping
9. DL.ART September Linky Challenge
10. CARDZ-TV Anything Goes Challenge #98
11. House that Stamps Built DCC-S419 - Begins with B (I used BFFs, Baggy Shirts, and Big coffees)
12. Art Impressions Challenge #266 - Use Circles and AI product

13. Lost Coast Designs Challenge #84 - Funny

14. STAMPlorations Summer Theme and Sketch, AG with stamps

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

You Make My Heart Sing


Hi, Friends......

I am here with a quick layered card for Mrs. A's Butterfly Challenge: L is for.... Lapis Lazuli /Laser Lemon/Languid Lavender/Layers/Lace +your Butterfly and the specialty card is a Lattice Card, which I was not brave enough to try. :) I went for the Lapis Lazuli, Laser Lemon, and Layers.

I used my lovely Graphic 45 Flutter collection which had the blue and yellow colors and a sentiment from a very old Gina K Designs set designed by Melanie Muenchinger.



Supplies used include:
Gina K Designs - Cuddles and Hugs by Melanie Muenchinger stamp set (long retired)
Versafine ink in Smokey Gray
Graphic 45 "Flutter" Collection
Winnie & Walter - Essentials: Audrey Cutaways die set
Winnie & Walter - Essentials: Katharine Cutaways die set
Seam binding ribbon
Dollar Store butterfly

It's always fun to get my Graphic 45 out for a playdate. Hope you liked my card. Thank you for stopping by!!

🖤
Janis


Thank you for the honor of entering this card in the following challenges:
1. Butterfly Challenge - L is for.... (I used Lapis Lazuli, Laser Lemon, and Layers + my butterfly)
2. Simon Says STAMPtember Gina K Designs Collaboration Challenge
3. TCP Tuesday September challenge, use layers
4. Word Art Wednesday Weeks #404-405 - AG
5. Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper September Challenge
6. Let's Craft and Create Challenge #151 - AG + Add Extra Layers
7. STAMPlorations summer theme and sketch, AG with stamps

8. TAGplorations Summer Challenge

Monday, September 16, 2019

Silvery Let it Snow



Hi, Friends......

I am here with a silvery snowy Christmas card using Memory Box stamps for the Simon Says STAMPtember Memory Box Collaboration Challenge. This is such a lovely stamp set....I don't know why I don't use it more often!

I also am participating in the current MFT Sketch Challenge:


This sketch was perfect for using a scrap of one of my layered embossed backgrounds that I make from my narrow leftover strips. It's difficult tell in the photo, but I heat embossed the sentiment in bright white to give it a little more emphasis against the black background and surrounding snowflakes.


Supplies used include:
Memory Box - Making Spirits Bright stamp set
WOW! Embossing Powder - Opaque Bright White Regular (for sentiment)
Ranger - Embossing Powder silver for snowflakes
Versamark ink
Simon Says Stamp - Falling Snow stencil
Winnie & Walter - Essentials: Katharine Cutaways die set
Darice - Interlocking Circles embossing folder
DCWV scraps from stash for background
Core'dinations/Darice solid cardstock
Ribbon from stash

Hope you enjoyed my card. Thank you so much for stopping by today!!!

🖤
Janis


Thank you for the honor of entering this card in the following challenges:
1. MFT Wednesday Sketch Challenge #454
2. Simon Says STAMPtember Memory Box Collaboration Challenge
3. Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Monochrome
4. Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Bling it On! (I used lots of gleaming metallic silver)
5. TCP Tuesday September challenge, use layers (I layered my background in the lower half this time.)
6. Through the Craft Room Door (week of 9/10) - Anything Goes
7. Power Poppy Creative Confetti - Out of the Ordinary Background (I used a layered embossed background for the lower half of my card.)
8. Craft Stamper TIMI September Challenge - AG with Stamping
9. DL.ART September Linky Challenge
10. Word Art Wednesday Weeks #404-405 - AG
11. Pixie's Snippets Playground Challenge #361 - Use Snippets (Playing JFF this time.)
12. Crafty Hazelnut's Patterned Paper September Challenge
13. CARDZ-TV Anything Goes Challenge #98
14. Let's Craft and Create Challenge #151 - AG + Add Extra Layers (The lower half of my card is a layered embossed background.) 

15. Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge #455 - AG Christmas
16. ABC Christmas Challenge - S is for Sparkle and T is for Texture (I have lots of gleaming silver for sparkle and dry embossing for texture.)
17. Crimbo Crackers Challenge #193 - AG Christmas
18. Time Out Challenge #144 - Photo Inspiration (I was inspired by the stripes and monochrome)

19. STAMPlorations summer theme and sketch, AG with stamps
 

20. STAMPlorations Summer Mixed Media Challenge

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Heartfelt Thanks

Hi, Friends......

I am here with a card to share that I made as a Thank You for a gal who has been on the volunteer staff with me at our local crisis pregnancy center. Family health concerns are making it necessary for her to step down. We are having a farewell luncheon for her and I was asked to make a card.

Simon Says STAMPtember has a collaboration challenge with Gina K Designs so I got out a previously uninked layering stamp set to try out. This is my first attempt at using a layering set this intricate and I am not quite sure I got things really lined up correctly, but I am satisfied with the result for my first go round with it. 


I stamped the roses on one of my leftover Easter egg dye backgrounds. I really love the effect of this. I used a sentiment from a retired Inspired by Stamping set. I added a few dew drops to finish everything off.


Supplies used include:
Gina K. Designs - Old Country Roses stamp set
Distress Inks for flowers and leaves
Inspired by Stamping - Graceful Hydrangea stamp set (retired)
Versafine ink in Onyx Black for sentiment
Canson - Mixed Media Paper for leftover Easter egg dye background
Winnie & Walter - Essentials: Katharine Cutaways die set
Studio Katia - Clear Round Drops Mix
Core'dinations/Darice Cardstock

Hope you liked my pretty rose card and I hope my friend does, too! Thank you so much for stopping by today.

🖤
Janis


Thank you for the honor of entering this card in the following challenges:
1. Simon Says STAMPtember Gina K Designs Collaboration Challenge
2. Craft Stamper TIMI September Challenge - AG with Stamping
3. Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Stamp It
4.
Papercraft Challenges #45 Handmade/Stamped Flowers 
5. TCP Tuesday September challenge, use layers (I layered ink this time.)
6. Through the Craft Room Door (week of 9/10) - Anything Goes
7. Power Poppy Creative Confetti - Out of the Ordinary Background (I used leftover Easter egg dye.)
8. Love to Scrap September Challenge - AG
9. DL.ART September Linky Challenge
10. Word Art Wednesday Weeks #404-405 - AG
11. STAMPlorations CAS Challenge

12. STAMPlorations summer theme and sketch, AG with stamps

Tuesday, September 10, 2019

Wishing You a Purr-fect Day



Hi, Friends........

Are you keeping an eye on my sponsor list on the sidebar for the 2019 Cat Lovers Hop coming up right here Oct. 21-26? It's going to be another fantastic hop....can't wait!!!

Simon Says Stamp is having their awesome STAMPtember collaboration challenges and Newton's Nook is one of the featured companies. Don't you just love every single one of Jen's amazing sets??? My faves are the ones with Newton, of course!! I hardly ever play with Newton sets so it was fun last week getting them inked up.

For this card, I used the current MFT Color Challenge. Isn't this color combo gorgeous???!!!


Yep.....it's Newton again! This time he is a mischievous white kitty. I almost always color him orange, because the real-life Newton is an orange tabby, but I took artistic license with him this time.

And.....I actually did some MASKING!!! You rarely see me use this technique because I don't like fussy cutting...but this was a very simple image to cut out. I combined two different Newton sets...the loose ball of yarn is actually from a different set than the basket of yarn. I think it works, although it is a bit smaller.


Supplies used include:
Newton's Nook Designs - Baskets of Wishes stamp set
Newton's Nook Designs - Newton's Antics stamp set
Tsukineko - Memento Ink in Tuxedo Black
Spectrum Noir alcohol markers
M&C Boutique - Large Circle Frame die set
Darice - Paw Prints embossing folder
Lawn Fawn sequins - I picked out the turquoise ones from a Christmas mix
Cardstock scraps from my stash

Hope you liked this fun card today! Thank you for stopping by.

🖤
Janis


Thank you for the honor of entering this card in the following challenges:
1. MFT Color Challenge #124
2. Simon Says Stamp - Newton's Nook STAMPtember Collaboration
3. Penny Black and More September Challenge - Animals
4. Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Stamp It
5. Love to Scrap September challenge, AG
6. Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Stamp It
7. TCP Tuesday September challenge, use layers
8. SUYP Challenge #46 - Furry Thing Goes
9. Double D Challenge - Photo Inspiration (I was inspired by the round shape of the umbrellas and the sweet critters)

10. STAMPlorations summer theme and sketch, AG with stamps