Snowy Christmas

Quite appropriately, it is white with snow outside my window as I type this...now if only we could have a little over Christmas to keep things really cozy! Family, a cozy fire in the wood stove and a winter wonderland outside. That's the stuff memories are made of.

But now - on to my snowy Christmas cards.

Lili of The Valley carries some truly beautiful stamps, honestly it is so hard to narrow my wishlist down. I opted for digital stamps but they also carry clear and rubber stamps and cross stitch patterns.

Since I like my cards to be displayed and they were going to travel internationally (actually 'back' to the UK!) I decided to once again make easel cards.

I started by sizing the images and sentiments in Photoshop, preparing a document for printing.  Still undecided about whether I wanted to use the car or the church scene I included both.

Once that was set-up I could print multiple copies as needed. 

The church scene was quick to colour, using coloured pencils, after which I trimmed the image out and attached it to card front which was prepared with patterned paper.

The inside of the card is also lined with a snowy paper, while the sentiment strip is edged with a holly punch (Fiskars) I added a couple die cut and one punched snowflake. Some puffy fabric paint (Tulip) gives the snowflakes on the panel dimension and while the paint was wet I sprinkled on a small amount of super fine light blue glitter.

It was a quick make and I'm very pleased with the result!

Next up was the mailbox - very appropriate for an 'across the miles' greeting.

I used coloured pencils for the colouring as well as a silver Sharpie pen for the metal details on the postbox. Another print of the same picture provided me with a mailbox to trim out and pop up on foam for dimension. I also popped the birds and some of the holly leaves up to add a bit of depth.

Once again I used the puffy fabric paint for my snow and added glitter for that frosty sparkle. I also added glitter to the berries and some of the leaves. This card did take more time and more 'fussing' with all the trimming and layering, but I enjoyed every minute of making it.

I thought the envelope shape on the patterned paper made a very fitting place for the stamped sentiment. Some punched holly leaves and glittery berries was all I needed to add.

Some understated green patterned paper and a couple die cut snowflakes provided the final touches.

Both cards are on their way right now and will hopefully remind dear people how much they are loved...

Christmas Card - More Poinsettias

I had to make at least one more Christmas card this year featuring poinsettias. This was such a satisfying card to make!

I used a wide selection of cut files, dies, punches, embossing folders and patterned paper.

To make it an easy to display card, I turned it into an easel. I figure a Christmas card might as well become a decor item!

An online search for Christmas sentiments brought this one up, and I used the Silhouette pen feature and a gel pen to write it out for me. The holly border punch is by Friskars.

I'm pleased with how it turned out and since it will be hand delivered, the size - 6" square - as well as the dimension with all those bits and bobs makes no difference.

Christmas Cards - Oldies and Goodies

I have had these clear stamps for so many years, I've lost count. And I still like using them. The clean, simple and graphic design means they are timeless. The stamps, made by ProvoCraft, also work really well for tags.

The cards were really quick to put together - I layered patterned paper and a piece of embossed card stock onto the card front. After colouring the images with coloured pencil, I fussy cut them and adhered them to the front with thin foam for a bit of dimension.

The stocking also got a simple knotted ribbon and sequins.

 I joined the mittens by looping a length of twine between them, added some sequins and a basic sentiment on a strip of cardstock finished off both cards.

I really like all the colour, texture and dimension on these very simple and quick cards!

Do you have 'oldies-but-goodies' stamps that can take another turn at center stage on your projects this year?

Christmas Cards - Comfort & Joy

I enjoy working with paper, I mean I really really really enjoy working with paper...

That is why this card was so rewarding to make. I envisioned it in pure white, with a bit of cream, but it kept begging me for colour. I relented a little, finally adding some red and a hint of gold. And called it done. I am very pleased with how this turned out!

I used cut files for the Silhouette Cameo for the main elements - The poinsettias are from 'Christmas Box Cards' by SVG Cuts (affiliate link) The greenery is from 3 D Wintergreens also by SVG Cuts (affiliate link) The holly and pine cones are by Sherri McCulley  I also used an embossing folder " Piroutte" by Anna Griffin for Cuttlebug on the background. I used a snowflake die as a lacy layering elements and a Fiskars punch for the holly detail on the raised element that keeps the upright portion of the easel card in place. The lettering was done using the Cameo and a gold gel pen.

And just because my eyes very asking for colour...I made a second card, similar to this, but in colour. I used mostly dye inks for colouring the different elements.

Love all the details in the flowers and the water coloured look that the dye inks give.

I used a combination of Thin Fonts (at Lettering Delights) and regular fonts for the sentiment.

 I added a thin strip of gold embossing to the edge of the raised piece to tie the upright piece in with the bottom area where the message can be written. I also gold embossed the flourishes

I wonder how many of these I would have to make before I've 'had enough of it'...

Merry Christmas - Robin's Wishes

For the second Christmas card for this year, I kept the same layout format as the one for that Mischievous Cat card.

I used the Silhouette Cameo to cut the circles and draw a few snowflakes using a doodlebat font and a silver pen. This time I used the 'Random Dots' embossing folder by Echo Park. I thought the randomly spaced and sized dots mimic snow nicely.

I added a little ink blending to the areas directly behind the birds on the A2 cardbase and mounted the panel with foam to the card front. The birds were also attached with foam so I could perch them in the holes. I like the dimension this gives while still ending up with a flat card that is sturdy and easy to mail. All the images were coloured using coloured pencils and I added a little bit of glitter to the birds' hats for festive cheer.

For the inside I used a 'basic' sentiment and image. This cat looks so very pleased with itself. I coloured it to look like the cat in the house this is going to...
A strip of washi tape finishes the bottom of the card off nicely and carries on the theme of 'presents' while a bit of glitter on the sentiment's heart shape adds sparkle.

The images and sentiment are from the Penny Black 'Winter Wonderland' set.

I have used this set many times over, with a few projects showcased here on the blog. The images are also very good for decorating writing paper. I would like to try using the birds to make fabric too. But that may have to wait for another year!
So many ideas, so little time!

Merry Christmas - Mischievous Cat

For once I thought I would start my Christmas cards when I'm inspired and not wait until closer to Christmas. So this year I had several done by the end of October. I'll be posting these once a week for the month of November.

First up - this mischievous cat, after some thought, had a great idea...

I cut the circles from white cardstock and used the 'Polka Dots' embossing folder by Cuttlebug to give it the delightful texture. I did some basic colouring on the stamped images using coloured pencils. Then I mounted the panel on the front of an A2 cardbase with foam for added dimension.

The cat images are from 'Nine Lives' by Penny Black.   I enjoy using this set for all kinds of cards and for decorating writing paper. The expressions are priceless!

And this is what that cat got up to...as to be expected, right?

I used strips of washi tape to decorate the top and bottom of the inside of the card. All the colouring was done with coloured pencils.

The Christmas tree is from the Penny Black 'Holly-Jolly' set

I used this set for another card I made last year : -  'Critter Christmas'

Winter Snow Fun

This stamp set -  Winter Wonderland by Penny Black - just begged to be made into a slider card!

I coloured the images with coloured pencils and trimmed the little hedgehog out with scissors. The embossed snowflakes were done with the 'old style' Fiskars embossing plates. I find these very useful for adding selective embossing, exactly where I want them to be. I also drew in more snowflakes to match the flakes in the stamp to complete the image.

I cut the slot for the slider with the Silhouette Cameo. As a weight I used a dime. I like that it is smaller and thinner than a penny. I trimmed the foam to fit the slider nicely - snug enough to add support to the cardstock but wide enough to allow the dime to slide easily. I attached the coin to the little hedgehog image with foam tape. 

The little hedgehog now slides and sometime swirls down the slope. Every time it goes down the bank it ends up differently at the bottom. Which I think is pretty true to life. I must be a big kid but I have sent the little fella down many many times...hehe

On the inside is a bunny friend who ended tummy first in the snow... leaving lots of space for a message...or even a short winter poem!

I added little spots of glitter glue snowflakes on the outside and inside of the card .

The card turned out to be most enjoyable to make...and the critters are very cute indeed. I hope the little ones this card is intended for, will enjoy watching them have a little snow fun.

Last year I used the robins from this stamp set to make decorations for the tree - Tree Decor Wood Slices

Let the snow fun begin!

3 D Snowflake - Totally Regal

I started crocheting a collection of 12 3D snowflakes back in January of 2015. My plan was to make one snowflake a month finishing up the collection in December. All went well with the plan, till the end of May. At that point there was just too much else happening in my life and I was not able to keep it up. Family concerns were more important and I took time to adjust priorities.

It's with pleasure that I returned to my 3D snowflakes this week! I'm using patterns from this book - Dimensional Snowflakes - that I bought from Annie's Craft Store

So here is the 6th snowflake in the collection : "Totally Regal"

The dimension is more visible here -

I perch the flake onto wooden blocks when gluing the 3 pieces together. I find it much more convenient than trying to hold it in my hand. Here is the first snowflake's post, showing how I starch and shape these beauties.

It's good to get back on track with these and I hope I can wrap this collection up this season. I was thinking how pretty the parts of these flakes will be for making 'flat' flakes too. hmmm...

Now I need to find more or larger storage for my collection, as the current holder is full. What a delightful 'problem' to have!

Happy autumn to all of you!

Got Chocolate?

This cat-in-a-cup image stole my heart. I mean what is not to love about this adorable 'Cup of Kitty'? I found it over at Tiddly Inks

And heading out to share a cuppa with a friend I thought I would take a card along...

I settled on an easel card with a sentiment from a set by Inkadinkadoo 'Friendly Advice' I chose to paper piece the cup and coloured the kitty with coloured pencils.

Inkadinkadoo 'Friendly Advice' - I got mine at my local Michaels store.

The colours I used are autumn ones...partly because it is that lovely cozy time of the year now, here where I live, but also because I am entering this into the TiddlyInks Challenge #192 'Happy Fall Y'all'

I customized the card a little...adding a note about a cup of tea...and a few of chocolates to share!

Sea Breeze Cowl

Hopped on at Michaels last week to take a look at the new Caron Cakes yarn...and i liked what I saw. There was quite a few holes on the shelves, so I did not manage to get all the colours I had hoped to get, but I am still very pleased with these lovely cakes that are staying in my place for now.
I started crocheting a cowl straight away. This lovely looking 'Glacier Cowl' caught my attention. I found the link to it on Ravelry HERE. It is super quick to work up and although I was a little skeptical as to how much I would like it, I think it is a winner for sure. The pattern uses exactly one cake of yarn. I did use a slightly smaller hook (6mm) and did not quite manage to finish the last round, but fortunately that does not matter (is not visible)

The brown and lime green colours are a bit of a surprise and I would have liked the yarn without that, BUT I do think it adds a pop to the finished cowl that is very pleasing.

I shall have to find a model to wear this for me so I can add a picture for you to see just how pretty it looks!

Veels Geluk (Congratulations)

Time for a birthday card again. I was going to say this is for someone special, but all the cards I make are for somebody special, so that seems to be a rather pointless observation!

I used pigment inks for the watercolour look on the background. I find they blend pretty well with water, if not as readily as the dye inks. And I'm pleased with the results I got. I apply ink to the work surface, spray with water, mix it in and just press the cardstock into the mixture. The last step was splattering gold paint over the entire surface - only a little though! I just wanted a hint of gold on there. Finally I trimmed the card front a little smaller than the card base and inked the little strips on either side of the panel using the same pinkish red ink pad (ColorBox Ruby) For drying I like to put it into or underneath a book to dry nice and flat.

For the cut out I used a Silhouette Studio Design Store file by Jamie Koay called  'Roses Bunch Lace'  . The sentiment is stamped and white embossed onto black. (I think the white powder is getting old - it's looking a bit 'creamy' to me. Yikes!) and sandwiched a bit of black thread between the sentiment strip and the card. The thread is squiggly, did you notice that? I was replacing a zipper in a garment last week and thought how cute the squiggly thread look - and it ended up on the card front. Just a variation on the pristine new thread look one normally sees. I also stitched the tag to the edge of the card just to add a bit of interest.

A trio of sequins finished it up and the card is ready to be sent!

I'm off to write a little letter to mail with the card...see you soon!