Merry Christmas Owl - February Rudolph Days

Happy Leap Day, Friends....

I am here with a cute little owl card for Scrappy Mo's February Rudolph Days challenge. Remember that if you enter each month during the year, then you are eligible to be in the final drawing in December! February is short so I had to scramble since I have been celebrating my birthday all week long!! Lucky I had Leap Day to get my card in. :)

I am also entering this in the MFT Sketch Challenge this week:

And I am entering this in Jo's Christmas Kickstart Challenge with the theme of Red.

Supplies used include:
Imaginisce sticker
Background is from the Imaginisce packaging
Serendipity - Merry Christmas stamp - Retired (they don't carry this size at Impression Obsession, but they do have the larger size in this same font)
Versafine ink in Onyx Black
Sparkly Santa hat for the owl from Michele Henderson (THANKS, Michele!!)
Weird 7-pointed foam snowflake from stash (STILL haven't used these up, yet!!!)
DCWV patterned paper scraps from stash
Core'dinations/Darice solid cardstock for card base

Thank you for stopping by today. I hope you are having a nice Leap Day and are ready to March into spring!!!

🖤
Janis

Thank you for the honor of entering this card in the following challenges:
1. Rudolph Days February Challenge - AG Christmas
2. MFT Wednesday Sketch Challenge #478
3. Christmas Kickstart Challenge #28 - Red
4. Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge #479
5. Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - AG
6. CARDZ-TV Anything Goes Challenge #109
7. DL.ART February Linky Challenge
8. Creative with Stamps Challenge #47 - Red

Kitty with Heart - Hello, Friend

Hi, Friends......

I am here with a sweet card that can be used for an all-occasion card or for a valentine....next year, of course! :)  A friend recently brought me a lovely snack bag that had Ritz crakers, homemade apple-jalapeno jelly, and cream cheese. YUM!!!  That combo is one of my favorite indulgences!! She lined the bag with a pretty red heart doily, which I told her would end up on a card....so fair warning!  lol...

Since the doily was large, it would not fit easily on a single card...so I glued it onto a large scrap of flirty black and white dotted cardstock and die cut various sizes of hearts from it. LOVE!!!

I also followed the MFT Sketch for this week:

Supplies used include:
Great Impressions - Kitty with Heart stamp #E860S (retired)
Winnie & Walter - LS Exclusives: So Tweet with Evelin T Designs stamp set (balloon)
Winnie & Walter - LS Exclusives: So Tweet with Evelin T Designs die set
Newton's Nook Designs - Baskets of Wishes stamp set (sentiment)
Memento Ink in Tuxedo Black
Spectrum Noir Markers
Misc. white cardstock and DCWV scraps
Ribbon from stash
Gingham paper from stash

I hope you liked my card. Thank you for stopping by. Have a great week. We are getting a little bit of fresh snow tonight. Hope you are staying safe and warm wherever you are.

🖤
Janis

Thank you for the honor of entering this card in the following challenges:
1. MFT Wednesday Sketch Challenge #477
2. Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Add a Sentiment
3. Through the Craft Room Door Feb. 18th Challenge - AG
4. Word Art Wednesday Weeks #426-#427 - Anything Goes
5. Crafty Hazelnut's February Patterned Paper Challenge
6. Craft Stamper February TIMI Challenge - Anything Goes with Stamping
7. Penny Black and More February Challenge - Animals, Birds, and Butterflies
8. Double D Challenge - Saying Hello
9. Pixie's Snippets Playground Challenge #372 - Use Snippets
10. Creative with Stamps Challenge #47 - Red

Purrfect Friends

Hi, Friends.....

I am here with a whimsical card I sent to a crafty friend for her birthday. Now that she has received it, I can post it. :) She likes kitties and birds, so I chose this fun Stampendous Laurel Burch image. I like birds, too, but cats are my favorites because they are such furry, purry adorable little independent, self-absorbed, naughty creatures!! I have 16 cats...(yes, 16!!!)...so I know!! lol...

I stamped this on one of my leftover Easter egg dye backgrounds and colored with my Spectrum Noirs markers. One fun thing about Laurel Burch images is that you don't need to stay with realistic colors for the animals. (Anyone for a purple cat? Yes, please!!) You might notice that I stamped some little flowers on that panel, too. I wanted just a bit of subtle pattern behind the kitty and birdie.

I debated with myself what color to use for the card base and matting. I originally planned to use purple. But when I put it next to some turquoise, the whole thing seemed to pop. It's a bit wild, but I LOVE it!! What do you think? Do you like the purple and turquoise? It is too much....or just right?

Supplies used include:
Stampendous - Laurel Burch Cat and Feathered Friend stamp
Tsukineko - Memento Ink in Tuxedo Black
Spectrum Noir Markers
My Favorite Things - Cat-itude stamp set
Versafine ink in Onxy Black
My Favorite Things Die-namics - Stitched Square STAX die set
Winnie & Walter - Essentials: Katharine Cutaways die set
Leftover Easter egg dye background
Canson - Mixed Media Paper
DCWV and K&Co. Scraps
Core'dinations/Darice solid cardstock for matting and card base

Hope you liked my card. Are you staying safe and warm as we wait for winter to turn into spring? We have snow on the ground here, but none falling for several days. The days have been sunny and chilly, my very favorite kind of winter day.....also my cats' favorite. They line up in the sunny windows on the back porch and get toasty warm in the sunshine. Purr....

Thank you for stopping by today!!

🖤
Janis

Thank you for the honor of entering this card in the following challenges:
1. As You Like It - Favorite Animal (and why)
2. Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Add a Sentiment
3. Through the Craft Room Door Feb. 18th Challenge - AG
4. Word Art Wednesday Weeks #426-#427 - Anything Goes
5. Crafty Hazelnut's February Patterned Paper Challenge
6. Craft Stamper February TIMI Challenge - Anything Goes with Stamping
7. Penny Black and More February Challenge - Animals, Birds, and Butterflies
8. SUYP Challenge #51 - Furrything Goes
9. Sugarpea Designs February Meant to be Sent Challenge - Friendship
10. DL.ART February Linky Challenge

Tall Format - For You From Me - Butterfly #3

Hi, Friends.....

Yes, I am back with my third butterfly card for Mrs A's Butterfly Challenge. Here's the Butterfly Wheel for this fortnight. The color elements are: Sage, Salmon, and Sky Blue. The theme elements are: Stitching, Spots, and Step Block Card.

I am using more of the wonderful goodies that Mrs. A sent me a long time ago: an adhesive border strip, which I put lengthwise down the center of the card, some pretty lace ribbon in sage, and some patterned paper that I used for the scalloped circle.

This time I am also entering the Double Trouble Challenge which is asking for a Tall and Skinny Card. I used to be tall and skinny once upon a time....but no more. (I'm still tall, but....ummmm... oh, just forget I said anything...lol!) I do enjoy making this tall format style of card.




I am also using the Try Stampin' On Tuesday sketch that is the Double Dare on this Double Trouble Challenge:








Here's my take:

Supplies used include:
Close to my Heart - A Little Love Petite Perks (retired)
Versafine ink in Spanish Moss
My Favorite Things Die-namics - Stitched Square STAX die set
Scraps from my stash
Ribbon from stash
Butterfly and Flower stickers from stash
Distress Ink in Bundled Sage and Antique Linen

I think this card turned out really pretty. I hope you like it, too! Thank you so much for stopping by and looking at my butterfly cards!! Have a great day.

🖤
Janis


Thank you for the honor of entering this card in the following challenges:
1. Butterfly Challenge #136 - Butterfly(ies) + Letter S is for Sage and Stitched
2. Crafty Hazelnut's February Patterned Paper Challenge
3. MWATT Challenge #115 - No Image, Sentiment is Focal
4.  DL.ART February Linky Challenge 
5. Double Trouble Challenge #50 - Thing 1: Tall and Skinny Card, Thing 3: Followed Sketch and Entering in Try Stampin' on Tuesday 
6. Try Stampin' on Tuesday Challenge #445 - Sketch + opt. Tall & Skinny card 
7. Time Out Challenge #155 - Insprired by Words
(The sentiment I used reminded me of the "acts of kindness" part of this quote.)

A Little Gift For You - Butterfly #2

Hi, Friends......

I am back with my second card for Mrs A's Butterfly Challenge. Here's the Butterfly Wheel for this fortnight. The color elements are: Sage, Salmon, and Sky Blue. The theme elements are: Stitching, Spots, and Step Block Card.

I used more of the adhesive fabric/paper that Karen Ladd gave me. :) 
I also grabbed a package of stickers from my Butterfly Box and used a cheerful yellow one here. I frayed the edges of the scripty panel a little bit for a distressed look.

Supplies used include:
Close to my Heart - A Little Love Petite Perks (retired)
Versafine ink in Spanish Moss
My Favorite Things Die-namics - Stitched Square STAX die set
Winnie & Walter - Essentials: Katharine Cutaways die set
Winnie & Walter - Essentials: Audrey Cutaways die set
Adhesive Printed Fabric/Paper from Karen Ladd
Want 2 Scrap - Adhesive Rhinestones
Ribbon from stash
Butterfly sticker from stash

Thank you for taking a peek at this sunny card. I have one more to share, so I will be back again later. Have a great day!

🖤
Janis

Thank you for the honor of entering this card in the following challenges:
1. Butterfly Challenge #136 - Butterfly(ies) + Letter S is for Sage and Stitched
2. Crafty Hazelnut's February Patterned Paper Challenge
3. Crafty Friends Challenge #129 - Gemstones/Pearls
4. Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Use 2 or More Patterned Papers
5. MWATT Challenge #115 - No Image, Sentiment is Focal
6. Time Out Challenge #155 - Insprired by Words
(The sentiment I used reminded me of the "acts of kindness" part of this quote.)

Thanks so Much - Butterfly #1

Hi, Friends.....

I got super-inspired with Mrs A's Butterfly Challenge this fortnight......esp when I realized it would close in less than 24 hrs!! lol... Nothing like a deadline to light a fire underneath me. I ended up making three cards!

Here's the Butterfly Wheel for this fortnight. The color elements are: Sage, Salmon, and Sky Blue. The theme elements are: Stitching, Spots, and Step Block Card.

I opened my butterfly box and immediately spied two bags of applicable items: a bag of goodies that Mrs. A sent me as a prize long ago with all sorts of sage colored items, and a bag from crafty pal, Karen Ladd, with some adhesive sheets of printed fabric/paper...not exactly sure what they are....but they also have sage on them. (THANKS, Karen and Mrs. A!!!)

I used both patterns of the adhesive prints on this card, one for the background and one for the tag. I added a lovely fancy circle diecut from Mrs. A's package. I also used the "Stitched" theme element with the stitched square sentiment panel. My butterflies are little brads.....a single butterfly brad and a corner arrangement brad.

Supplies used include:
Close to my Heart - A Little Love Petite Perks (retired)
Versafine ink in Spanish Moss
My Favorite Things Die-namics - Stitched Square STAX die set
Winnie & Walter - Essentials: Katharine Cutaways die set
Fancy Die Cut from Mrs. A - I'm not sure of brand
Adhesive Printed Fabric/Paper from Karen Ladd
Crinkled seam binding ribbon for bow
Eyelet Outlet - Butterfly Brads
Eyelet Outlet - Butterfly Corner Brads

Hope you like my card. I have two more to share so I will be back before too long. See you then!!

🖤
Janis

Thank you for the honor of entering this card in the following challenges: 
1. Butterfly Challenge #136 - Butterfly(ies) + Letter S is for Sage and Stitched
2. Word Art Wednesday Weeks #426-#427 - Anything Goes
3. Crafty Hazelnut's February Patterned Paper Challenge
4. DL.ART February Linky Challenge
5. Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Use 2 or More Patterned Papers
6. MWATT Challenge #115 - No Image, Sentiment is Focal

Masculine Valentine Using SID Sketch

Hi, Friends......

I am here with another valentine to share with you. For this one I followed the Stick it Down Feb Card Sketch.

Here's my take..........

Supplies used include:
Darice - Nesting Hearts die set
Winnie & Walter - Essentials: Katharine Cutaways die set
Unity - "Happy Valentine's Day!" from Sweet for my Sweet
Versafine ink in Onyx Black
Adhesive square rhinestones from my stash
Variety of DCWV patterned cardstock scraps
Core'dinations/Darice cardstock for card base

Thank you for stopping by. I hope you liked my valentine card!

🖤
Janis

Thank you for the honor of entering this card in the following challenges:
1. Stick it Down February Card Sketch Challenge
2. Word Art Wednesday Weeks #426-#427 - Anything Goes
3. Crafty Hazelnut's February Patterned Paper Challenge
4. Die-Cut Divas February Challenge - Hearts and/or Flowers
5. Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Use 2 or More Patterned Papers
6. Kat Scrappiness February Challenge - Hearts
7. CARDZ-TV Anything Goes Challenge #108
8. Double Trouble Challenge #49 - Again and Again (Thing 1: I repeated the rhinestones and the strips of patterned paper.)

Another Valentine from our Party

Hi, Friends......

You might have seen my post yesterday where I showed you some pics of the valentine making party I hostessed for ladies at church. Some of us made a few valentines for shut-ins in our little community. Here's the other one I made from scraps that afternoon for sending to one of our members who can't get out much. I love the floral print patterned paper background!!

Supplies used include:
"Happy Valentine's Day!" from Unity Stamp Co. Sweet for my Sweet
Ranger - Archival Ink (Wendy Vecchi Designer Series) in Carnation Red
Darice - Nesting Hearts die set
Darice - Nesting Scallop Hearts die set
Darice - Checkered embossing folder (retired)
Core'dinations/Darice kraft cardstock

Hope you liked this cheery Valentine's Day card! Hope you are did something special today....even if it was spending time uninterrupted in your craft room! Yay!!! Great Valentine gift to yourself. My hubby is always out of town on Valentine's Day, but my son and I had a standing date to go to Chinese buffet. Yum!!

🖤
Janis

Thank you for the honor of entering this card in the following challenges:
1. Die-Cut Divas February Challenge - Hearts and/or Flowers
2. Word Art Wednesday Weeks #426-#427 - Anything Goes
3. Crafty Hazelnut's February Patterned Paper Challenge
4. Stempelgarten Challenge #89 - Heartfelt
5. Dare2BArtzy February Challenge - Love is in the Air
6. Kat Scrappiness February Challenge - Hearts
7. CARDZ-TV Anything Goes Challenge #108

Valentine for 104-Years-Young USMC Veteran

Maj. Bill White and his Story

Hi, Friends......

Did you happen to notice that Diana Larson over at DL.ART has a little mini-challenge along with her regular February Linky? She is encouraging us to send a valentine card to a certain retired USMC veteran, Major Bill White.  He is 104 years old and still going strong! I included his picture and a link to an article about him at the top of this post. (I wish I had found this article earlier so I could have written a more personalized greeting inside my card before I mailed it!)

All the details of Diana's mini-challenge are on her February Linky. She has a little prize for a random participant in this mini-challenge. She'll be picking a winner on Valentine's Day....but if you are a late-night crafter (like I am!), you might still have time to submit an entry. Even if you don't enter her challenge, you can still send this dear veteran a card. I'm sure arriving a little late will still be fine...well, not TOO late!!  He is 104, after all.  :D

Supplies used include:
Dollar Rack stamp set
Versafine ink in Onyx Black
Patterned Paper and Cardstock scraps
Darice - Ranunculus embossing folder
Distress Ink in Walnut Stain sponged gently over embossed pattern
Heart Punch from stash
Darice/Core'dinations Cardstock for card base

Major White, I hope you have a Happy Valentine's Day!!! Thank you everyone for stopping by today.

🖤
Janis

Thank you for the honor of entering this card in the following challenges:
1. DL.ART February Linky Challenge (I mailed this card to Mr. White today.)
2. Word Art Wednesday Weeks #426-#427 - Anything Goes
3. Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Use 2 or More Patterned Papers
4. Double Trouble Challenge #49 - Again and Again Thing 1: I repeated hearts
5. Dare2BArtzy February Challenge - Love is in the Air
6. Kat Scrappiness February Challenge - Hearts
7. Papercraft Challenges #54 - Use at Least 2 Designer Papers
8. All Sorts Challenge #588 - Add a Heart
9. Crafty Hazelnut's February Patterned Paper Challenge
10. CARDZ-TV  Anything Goes Challenge #108
11. Double D Challenge - Hearts

Valentine Making Party

Hi, Friends.....

I mentioned a few days ago that I had held a valentine card making party for the gals at our little church. Several could not attend, but we still had eight ladies there to play with paper and ink...which was actually a pretty good number. I bundled up several bags and boxes of things to take, another cardmaker friend brought things, plus a gal and her two teenage daughters brought some supplies.

Here are some pics from our craft day:


 This table was our "Choose your Paper" station.  BEST WAY TO USE SCRAPS EVER!!!  lol....  I brought a bag each of pink scraps, red scraps, black/white scraps, and brown scraps......and a bunch of them got used!!!  YAY!!  That's good enough motivation for me to do another craft party soon.  lol....




The other cardmaker in our church brought a bunch of lovely intricate diecuts for the gals to use!! They had a ball playing with these gorgeous and delicate cuts!! You can see them at the end of the table here on the left.

This table was for diecutting and embossing.  I had not planned to include heat embossing, but one of the gals brought supplies for it.












This table was the stamping table.  Between us we had a good selection of valentine stamps to choose from.  I added reinker earlier to my "craft day" stamp pads, but they were still a little bit dry....and, of course, I didn't bring the re-inkers with me!!  Good thing one of the other gals brought her stamp pads!










I designated two tables as work stations where the actual construction took place.

Most of the gals made valentines to send to family members, but one gal had a great idea to also make a few to send to some ailing members of our church that can't get out much.  I made a couple for her to use.  

Here's one I made.....using scraps, naturally!  :)  (All except the scripty background paper and the card base.)

Supplies used include:
Winnie & Walter - Essentials: Audrey Cutaways die set
Darice - Nesting Hearts die set
Darice - Nesting Scallop Circles die set
Impression Obsession - Serendipity Love die
Butterfly diecut - one a friend brought to the craft party, not sure of brand
DCWV scraps!!
Core'dinations/Darice white cardstock for card base

Hope you enjoyed the party shots and my card! It was a lot of work....but a ton of fun, too. I might even be up to doing another in a couple of months...so I can use up more scraps!! lol...  Thank you for stopping by today!! 

🖤
Janis

Thank you for the honor of entering this card in the following challenges:
1. Pixie's Snippets Playground Challenge #371 - Use Snippets (Scraps)
2. Word Art Wednesday Weeks #426-#427 - Anything Goes
3. Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Use 2 or More Patterned Papers
4. Papercraft Business Challenge #26 - Valentine/Love
5. Cut it Up Challenge 193 - Love is in the Air
6. Kat Scrappiness February Challenge - Hearts
7. Papercraft Challenges #54 - Use at Least 2 Designer Papers
8. All Sorts Challenge #588 - Add a Heart
9. Crafty Hazelnut's February Patterned Paper Challenge
10. Double D Challenge - Hearts

Kid's Valentine with Dice Background

Hi, Friends.......

I am back with another quick post to get this kid's valentine in under the wire at the MFT Sketch challenge for the week. I discovered after the fact that I had reversed the sketch this time with the lower panel sloping the opposite way. :)

I had this piece of fun dice (I guess it is actually dominoes!) paper in my stash and made several valentines with it. I think it adds a playful look that is perfect for a child, either boy or girl.  Here's one of the cards I made:

Supplies used include:
Darice - Nesting Hearts die set
Glittery fun foam
Winnie & Walter - Essentials: Katharine Cutaways die set
Ranger - Archival Ink (Wendy Vecchi Designer Series in Carnation Red for edges
Tiny envelope stamp from Unity Stamp Co.
Versafine ink in Onyx Black
Patterned paper scraps from stash

Thank you so much for stopping in today!! Hope you are getting all your valentines finished up and in the mail if they are being sent.

🖤
Janis

Thank you for the honor of entering this card in the following challenges:
1. MFT Wednesday Sketch Challenge #475
2. Crafty Hazelnut's February Patterned Paper Challenge
3. Double Trouble Challenge #49 - Again and Again Thing 1: I repeated hearts plus background has lots of dominoes.
4. Papercraft Business Challenge #26 - Valentine/Love
5. CARDZ-TV Anything Goes Challenge #107
6. Kat Scrappiness February Challenge - Hearts
7. Papercraft Challenges #54 - Use at Least 2 Designer Papers

Grungy Masculine Valentine

 

One difference between cats and dogs!!! lol...

Hi, Friends........

I am here with another masculine valentine using the MFT Sketch for the week.  My recipe of dark colors + clean lines + texture makes cards for the male of the species easy!

This one has a grungy look that I also love putting into "guy cards". Again, it has no actual red in it, but substitutes a warm maroon instead.

Supplies used include:
Sizzix - Thinlits TH Mixed Media die set
Darice - Nesting Hearts die set
Winnie & Walter - Essentials: Katharine Cutaways die set
Distress Ink in Walnut Stain for edges
Patterned paper scraps from stash

Quick post here so I can get this linked up!!! Be back soon with another. Thank you for stopping by.

🖤
Janis

Thank you for the honor of entering this card in the following challenges:
1. MFT Wednesday Sketch Challenge #475
2. Crafty Hazelnut's February Patterned Paper Challenge
3. Die-Cut Divas February Challenge - Hearts and/or Flowers
4. Papercraft Business Challenge #26 - Valentine/Love
5. CARDZ-TV Anything Goes Challenge #107
6. Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - With Love
7. Tales From The Craft Room Challenge #2 - Love is in the Air
8. Kat Scrappiness February Challenge - Hearts
9. Papercraft Challenges #54 - Use at Least 2 Designer Papers
10. Time Out Challenges #154 - Affectionate

 

Simple Masculine Valentine

Wish I had a stamp that says this.  We are always calling our fat winter-time cats "Loaf-Cats". 🖤

Hi, Friends.......

I haven't posted anything for a little while, but that doesn't mean I haven't been crafting! :) I've made several valentines recently and even held a valentine card making party at our little church. I will be sharing a post about that sometime later this week. 💟

For right now, I want to share a simple masculine valentine I made using the MFT Sketch for the week.

Sometimes the customary "valentine colors" of red/pink/white look a bit too girly for a guy valentine. So I employed my favorite recipe for making masculine cards: Dark colors + Clean lines + Texture. 

Even though there is no actual "red" on this valentine, the warm browns work just as well, esp with a kraft card base. I adore using printed kraft corrugate for some great texture. It is a very simple card, but guys are a little put off by fussiness sometimes, so this is perfect.

Supplies used include:
Darice - Nesting Hearts die set
Winnie & Walter - Essentials: Katharine Cutaways die set
Distress Ink in Walnut Stain for edges
Patterned paper scraps from stash

Thank you for stopping by today! I'll be back with more valentines I made from this wonderful sketch. See you later!!

🖤
Janis

Thank you for the honor of entering this card in the following challenges:
1. MFT Wednesday Sketch Challenge #475
2. Crafty Hazelnut's February Patterned Paper Challenge
3. Word Art Wednesday Anything Goes #424-#425
4. DL.ART February Linky Challenge
5. CARDZ-TV Anything Goes Challenge #107
6. Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - With Love
7. All Sorts Challenge #588 - Add a Heart
8. Dare2BArtzy February Challenge - Love is in the Air
9. Double D Challenge - Hearts