Christmas

Hi and I hope wherever you may be in the world, that it's as lovely a day as it is here in Upstate SC. Yesterday I put away a few Fall decorations, put out a very few Christmas ones. Got the wreath on the front door, and put out these handmade placemats (see the motif?!) that were a gift a few years ago. Everybody knows I love Cardinals. The background is a bit busy against the card, but aren't these birds lovely? The reverse side of the placemat is a beautiful print as well, but it's floral - in the same colors. (Can you guess I don't let anybody actually use these placemats to eat off? LOL). To the card: The image is by Prickly Pear, very easy to color, and I used Chromatix alcohol markers. These markers have a brush nib on one end, but a small nib on the opposite end. I am not finding them as easy to blend with as the Copicse, but then ...I need to practice a bit more. I did like the results. Image was diecut with S/B Dahlia, sponged with Memento Love Letters (it was handy so I used it, rather than hunt up a Distress Ink pad). I handcut the mat, after tracing the outer edge of the same die that I used to cut the image. This paper is from a 6x6 pk, but I have many of them stacked around on the floor, and sorry...I didn't note the paper manufacturer. However, the background paper is from Authentique Festive Collection, also 6x6. This has been one of my favorite packs this season. (see the Cardinal in the lower corner? Hmmm...probably is why I like this paper!). The trim at the top was a snippet that I had diecut for another project, looked nice against the music score. HOWEVER, I adhered it, then noticed it was on a bit crooked, so I snipped off a bit of the music score paper, covered it, trying to cover up the boo-boo. The sentiment was cut from a snippet of white using a McGill label punch (the old style type of punch), sponged Memento Cottage Ivy around the edges, adhered rhinestones. Ah, one more Christmas card in my stash. One of these days I've got to get inserts made, address labels set up, envelopes done. Thanks for the visit, and have a wonderful afternoon.

Miscellaneous

I just wanted to add a big Congratulatons to Maureen , Sally H, and Valery Anne for winning the blog candy at Shaz in Oz. Ladies that was some super nice blog candy, most generous of Sharon to offer. I wanted to say WELL DONE to ALL of you!

Christmas

Happy Sunday afternoon, and welcome to a new follower. I noticed the number change upward, but I'm not finding out who the follower is when I scroll through that section. If it should be you, please leave me a comment so I can add your name to my database, cauze one of these days, I'm going to be having some more blog candy. You want to be sure to get counted! Here's a really simple card, and I must confess it's very plain looking to me. It was fairly quick to put together. I've been seeing blogs where crafters are using paint chips & punches, so thought I'd try, plus I also wanted to use some more Ritz Glitter. The reindeer is a flat EK Success punch, on Gingerbread color paint chip,  added the rhinestone on his nose, drew in his eye, some white gel pen on his antlers. Pop dots on Rudy to elevate off the kraft cardbase.  Used a C/B border EF (Nathaniel's Penwork). This folder has a regular size EF, with a coordinating border. I estimated where Rudy would be positioned, then applied borders with some 1/4" score tape, (also called Sookwang). Peeled off the protective backing to expose more sticky, sifted on some Apple Red Ritz glitter, and burnished. (rub, rub, rub!). I daubed some Memento Love Letter ink over the raised embossing, then wished I'd left it off. Too late. The sentiment is a 3D tag from a bundle of 10 purchased at Hobby Lobby's 50% off sale. I cut it apart, used Ailene's Easy Flow glue on the back to stick it down. There are sort of 'knobs' on the back of this critter, so it's raised. These probably should be filed off before this kind of use (like a button shank). I think this one will be hand delivered, IF I decide to use it. This is not one of my cards that I felt satisfied with upon finishing it. It was an experiment. Some of my experiments turn out ok, some don't. I keep trying!! Blessings to all of you, have a wonderful afternoon, come back to visit real soon.

Christmas

Hi Folks, Welcome! We're off to a great weekend everywhere, I hope. Here's a card to share that is a blatant copy of one I saw here on a fabulous Youtube. This lady does some good videos, speaks clearly & keeps her hands & head out of the camera's way. If you like this card, I hope you'll check out the video. I happened upon it after taking one of the Ritz glitter classes, and said "I can DO that!". I visited the online store, had this stamp in a cart to order. The same day I was at Michael's, in the checkout lane, glanced at a Christmas stamp display...WHOA, there is the stamp. The one I bought was a woodblock, whereas Stacy is using cling. Also I did have to use a Bonnie's Best Stamp Press to get a good clear image - (it's still a bit faint, but I think that is the way it is designed to be...sort of 'vintage-y'). If you have stamps that just don't seem to give you a good image, I highly recommend this tool: and no, they don't pay me to say this! I will always tell you if something works for me, as well as if I don't have good luck with a product! Keep in mind it could always be Operator Error, when it's a bust. <g>. OK...on to the card specs: Stamp is by Stampendous, stamped with Versamark Sepia ink for 2 images. Handtrimmed the center portion of one image. Used a little dabber such as one used to be able to buy to apply your eye makeup (sort of like Q-tips), & applied Memento Sky Blue;  Pear Tart shaded with Bamboo Leaves in the appropriate places, plus a bit of Canteloupe for candlelight at the windows. Looked pretty good just like that. Next measured off some Sookwang tape (very sticky tape, has cover on both sides that you peel off as Stacy's video will show). *You want to keep your fingers off this as much as possible - once you remove the backing.*  Handtrimmed Sookwang, placed it over the oval image. Dusted it generously with Ritz White Highlight glitter. Brush excess, then burnish (in other words, rub, rub, rub with finger...but burnish sounds better!). This brings up the shine of the glitter, plus then it doesn't flake off. Previously I had  positioned the oval cutout over the postcard to see where some additional coloring would be needed once the oval was in place. Did the holly parts with copics, sponged & distressed with DI Antique Linen & Vintage Photo until I got the desired results. Adhered the glittered oval into proper position. Image was adhered to a Forest Green Bazzill mat, then added a sliver of gold mirror paper as another mat before adhering to the Forest Green cardbase. Used an Elizabeth Craft sticker for the sentiment, as I wanted the image to be what you see primarily. This was an easy card to do once I got working, although the explanation took longer than the card did to make!  As I said - this is a totally copied card, but I did give credit where due in the link above. I hope Stacy won't mind this share. I'm dashing over to Rudolph Day to add my last entry for the final Rudy challenge of 2012. Happy Day and Blessings to all who visit.