Ornaments

Every year, I like to make two of my grandchildren their own ornament for the tree.  When Audrey and Keaton grow up, move out, and begin decorating their own trees, they'll have a collection of happy memories already in place . . .

Each ornament has its own storage case which I hope will help extend the life of these paper ornaments.  I use sturdy cardstocks and strong glues and avoid overly delicate embellishments.  So far, they seem to be holding up very well!

ORNAMENT:

Cardstock:   The Paper Cut Orion set, Generic Metallic Gold, Silver     

Dies:            Spellbinders Basic Lattice, 2013 Heirloom Ornament,

                        La La Land Three Wise Men, Memory Box

                        Star of Wonder             

Doo Dads:    On the Surface Fibers Gilt Edge, Wrights Jewelry Trim

                        Silver, Judikins Diamond Dust, Amy’s Gamma Gold           

CASE:

Cardstock:   Chipboard, The Paper Cut Orion set, Red and Green scraps       

Dies:            Papertrey Ink Bulk Mail Envelope, Tim Holtz Alphanumeric,

                        Memory Box Star of Wonder

Sending Love

Thank GOD for my Card Stash!  With all of the trials and tribulations that have visited themselves upon me this year, I have gotten woefully behind.  The holidays are in my lap and screaming for attention and therefore, I've raided my beloved Card Stash for my December birthday and anniversary cards.  I re-worked a few by remounting the card fronts and changing out some of the sentiments.  Instead of a week, I spent a couple of hours.  

More time - less panic . . .

 This one features a piece of finely corrugated paper with some color sponged on, followed by pieces of Mizuhiki cords and glitter glued into some of the channels.  Lots of nice dimension, yet easy to mail . . .

Cardstock:   Bazzill Rain Forest, Generic Textured Red, Yellow,

                        Corrugated paper         

Stamps:       Oogaloo "Sending Love"

Inks:             Ancient Page Cardinal, Pine, Saffron

Emb Powder:   Stamp Oasis Heat and Stick

Dies:            Heart punch             

Doo Dads:    Various metal embellishments, Mizuhiki, glitter 

Starlit Strip

Grief happens at any time, but it is particularly painful to suffer with it during what is ordinarily the happiest time of the year . . .

A simple reminder that our Savior offers us hope in the midst of devastating loss was all that I wanted this card to provide.  

Rest in peace, Andrew -  Memory Eternal . . .

Cardstock:   Bazzill Admiral, Strathmore #100 Bristol

Stamps:       Wordsworth Christ Has Made . . ., Rubber Moon

                        Starry Stroke

Inks:             VersaFine Majestic Blue, Encore Silver, VersaMark

Emb Powder:   WOW Silver Sparkle, Clear Matte Dull

Dies:            Spellbinders Small Deckled Mega Rectangles,

                        EK Success Cross              

Love and Joy

Having had the most jam-packed year ever, the annual Christmas card-making session got postponed until the calendar shoved me to the point of no return.  The only option was to keep things exceedingly simple, thus speeding up the assembly line manufacturing process . . .

The remarkable die of the ageless nativity scene made it all possible and I was able to turn out eighty five cards in five days.  Nice to know it can be done, but definitely not the peaceful fun it's supposed to be.  Sigh . . . next year will surely be better, yes?

Christmas blessings to you and yours . . .

Cardstock:   Wausau Firecracker Red, Georgia Pacific Premium #110,

                        Love Nicole, Gold Glitter        

Stamps:       Impression Obsession “Love and Joy Come to You”

Inks:             ColorBox Gold

Emb Powder:   Judikins Egyptian Gold  

Dies:            Poppy Stamps Nativity Scene, Memory Box Star of 

                          Wonder               

It's Your Day

I came across this beaded dragonfly card in my stash and thought it was time to get him launched into flight . . .

As this one is admittedly bulky, I plan to hand deliver it.  I had a box in my former post office, and one of the most endearing postal ladies ever always decorated my box with a banner on my birthday.  So now, having found out when hers is, I get to reciprocate!

I've given cards with beaded dragonflies on them before and have always encouraged the recipient to remove the dragonfly and wear him as a brooch or hair ornament.  The wires that fasten the dragonfly to the background panel are left very long - they are coiled behind the panel - so it's easy to recycle him into wearable art.

Cardstock:   Bazzill Leapfrog;  Becket Iceberg, Bazzill Purple, Generic

                        Watercolor paper, Wausau Firecracker Red       

Stamps:       Various solid leaves, Stampin’ Up It’s your day

Inks:             Vivid Red, Green, Yellow, Purple, Taupe, Ancient Page

                        Amethyst

Emb Powder:   Vippies Transcendence

Doo Dads:    Beaded Dragonfly   

Peace

When a dear friend of mine from church was going through some overwhelmingly sad times recently, nothing would do but to send her a serene card to let her know she is very much loved . . .

After scattering three dried die powders over the misted cardstock, I misted them a little more and blotted up some of the excess.  Then I stamped and embossed the trees in white. My original plan was to stamp them in black but I didn't think that would work very well.  So I shifted gears and went with the white instead.  What's the point of being a women if you can't change your mind once in awhile?

Cardstock:   Generic Teal Linen, Strathmore #100 Bristol     

Stamps:       Unity Planted, Hero Peace

Inks:             ColorBox Frost White, Distress Pine Needles

Die Powders:   Color Burst Terre Verte, Orange, Nuance Jade

Emb Powder:   Sweet Stamps Fine Detail White

Dies:            Lil Inkers Stitched Mats: Rectangles                    

Doo Dads:    Oriental Trading Vintage Jewels  

Thanks

During my recent troubles with amnesia following foot surgery, five of my incredible neighbors really stepped up to the plate and took care of absolutely everything:  transportation, errands, walking and feeding my dog Tater, and other details too numerous to mention.  So of course, my best efforts with Thank You cards were required . . .

The vase was colored with dried die ink powders which I chose for their wonderful vibrancy.  With my favorite marble image, I inked it in black, and overstamped the vase.  I think the result looks like an expensive antique done by an expert with ceramic glazes. Or am I being way too optimistic here?

Cardstock:   Strathmore Ultimate White, #100 Bristol, Generic Mesh

                        Textured White cardstock, Love Nicole Licorice         

Stamps:       Purple Daisy Sand, Impression Obsession Sketchy

                        Chevron Border, Fresh Squeezed Stamps Background

                        Check           

Inks:             Hero Black, Wink of Stella Gold

Colorants:    Ken Oliver Color Burst Alizarin Crimson, Orange

Dies:            Simon Says Thanks on a Line, Impression Obsession

                        Vase Set, Spellbinders Victorian Tags, Pink Fresh

                        Floral Squares             

Doo Dads:    Inkssentials Enamel Accents: Black       

Good Fortune

When I had some foot surgery recently, I had complications from the anesthesia and experienced four days of amnesia.  My doctor went above and beyond the call of duty during that perplexing stretch of time and I received the best care ever.  So at the very least, a card is in order.  My doctor is Vietnamese, so I went with an Asian theme . . .

I chose the image of the horseman because he reminded me of my empathetic doctor who indeed galloped to my rescue during those frightening days!

I used the Charlie Chan font to type the sentiment.  The Chinese text is printed on rice paper which is very thin.  So I glued it to a piece of cardstock to give it some much needed body.  The coin is attached with my favorite method of dealing with the hole that's in the middle of most such coins:  I cut a very narrow strip of black cardstock, push the ends through the hole, and insert a few dried pine needles through the loop.  The ends are pulled through from the back and taped down.  I use glue dots to attach the coin to the card front.  After covering the card with a thin piece of spongy packing material, this arrangement has so far made it thru the mail with no problem!

Cardstock:   Neenah Desert Storm, Generic rice papers Chinese Text      

Stamps:       MJ Barber Chinese Horseman, Unknown Chops

Inks:             Hero Black, Ancient Page Cardinal

Emb Powder:   Distress Black Soot

Emb Folder: Taylored Expressions Weathered

Dies:            Spellbinders Victorian Tags

Doo Dads:    Chinese coin, dried pine needles           

Fall

I had lots of fun making the background on last year's Valentines card (just below) and liked the results enough to make some extra ones to use on other cards . . .

For today's card, I darkened the background with Aged Mahogany to better set off the Palm Leaf on top of it.  A few sparkles, a jute knot, and this card is ready to go . . .

Cardstock:   Marcos Jute, Bazzill Juneberry     

Stamps:       Hero Autumn: “Fall”

Inks:             Distress Brushed Corduroy, Aged Mahogany

Emb Powder:   Distress Walnut Stai,

Dies:            Lil Inkers Stitched Mats: Rectangles, Hero Palm Fancy,

                        Arich Rounded Corners Stitched Rectangles               

Stencil:        Tim Holtz Doily

Emb Folder: Stampin’ Up Fancy Fan

Doo Dads:    Delta Texture Magic Dimensional Paint Country Red,

                        Oriental Trading Adhesive Pearl/Jewels Vintage 

Bloom

Not long ago, my dear friend and stamping buddy Carol set off on a Washi tape tangent and put together some wonderful cards which wound up being published in RubberStampMadness magazine.  I got inspired by her work, although it took me a good while to act on it.  Not long ago, another blogger went wild with Washi and that did it.  I decided to go a little wild too . . .

Carol is a huge fan of black and white and one of her favorite colors is lime.  So for her Fall birthday, I had me some fun with Washi in those colors.  I have a ton of Washi in my stash, so expect more flights of fancy in the future . . .

Cardstock:   Bazzill Raven, Parakeet, Strathmore #90 Watercolor paper   

Stamps:       Savvy Outline Dahlia

Inks:             ColorBox Black

Watercolors:   Inktense Sherbet Lemon, Zig Real Brush Yellow Green

Emb Powder:  Judikins Detail Black

Dies:            DieNamics Single Stitched Line Rectangle Frame, Yalatan

                        Stitched Tags, Impression Obsession Small Bow, Marianne

                        Butterflies

                        DieVersions font Noodles       

Doo Dads:    Various Washi tapes, Wink of Stella Black          

Autumn

Fall is not my favorite time of the year as it brings to a close an all-too-short Summer.  But Fall's colors are indeed lovely and a pleasure to work with . . .

On this card, I wanted to bring in several  Fall weather elements with my color choices.  So I've mixed a foggy grey background with some glowing autumn shades set off with  frosty white and emphasized with a few black accents.  Happy Fall, y'all!

Cardstock:   Generic Burgundy, Grey, Strathmore #90 Watercolor paper   

Stamps:        Hero Autumn

Inks:              ColorBox Black

Watercolors:   Derwent Inktense Shiraz, Tangerine, Sienna Gold, Fern,

                           Amber, Tan

Emb Powder:  Judikins Detail Black

Dies:              Lil Inkers Stitched Mats Rectangles, Ali Express Etched

                        Frame, Hero Autumn Frame Cuts, Carta Bella Hello Fall

                        Set: “Autumn”, La La Land Stitched Ribbon    

Emb Folder:   The Paper Studio Woodgrain, Spellbinders Bricks and Bark

Doo Dads:     American Crafts Jute Black, Memory Box Jewel Stickers Black

Something Beautiful Remains

The death of a dear friend's Mother has prompted this card . . .

I don't believe I've ever used brown and blue together for a sympathy card before, but the more I look at it, the more serene and comforting it appears to me.  As for the sentiment from Technique Junkies, I am so glad to have it:  I think it's one of the best expressions of loving kindness for a Sympathy card ever . . .

Cardstock:   The Paper Cut Brown Umber, Strathmore #90

                        Watercolor paper      

Stamps:       Technique Junkies Something Beautiful Remains

Inks:             Distress Mowed Lawn, Salty Ocean, Stormy Sky,

                        Brushed Corduroy, ColorBox Frost White

Emb Powder:   Stampin’ Stuff Ivory Pearl

Dies:             Lil Inkers Stitched Mats: Rectangles, Squares, Love

                        Nicole Scalloped Shell, Nautilus Shell, Penny Black

                        Bamboo Foliage                 

Doo Dads:    Stampin’ Around Glitter Gold Dust          

Fall

It has been a rough year for a lot of people - myself included - but I still have much to be thankful for . . .

While I love coloring with watercolor pencils, it's a little tedious to do over embossed images.  The pencil leads break and so do parts of the embossed image.  But my Inktense set of watercolor pencils had exactly the colors I wanted.  So I used a hand held pencil sharpener to shave off some of the color over a ceramic plate.  I picked out any wood that had dropped into the shavings and lightly misted the rest.  The colors hydrated immediately when stirred with my water brush and I was able to watercolor easily over the embossed acorns and leaves.

I hope all of my treasured readers have a blessed Thanksgiving Day, regardless of wherever they happen to live on our beautiful planet . . .

Cardstock:   Marcos Jute, Strathmore #100 Bristol      

Stamps:       Impression Obsession Give Thanks, Acorn Row,

                        Inkadinkado Filigree Fall Set, Vippies Dotty Snow

Inks:             ColorBox Black, Distress Brushed Corduroy

Colorants:    Inktense Crimson, Sienna Gold, Fern, Mustard, Baked

                        Earth, Willow

Watercolors:   Zig Clean Color: Geranium Red, Orange, Bright Yellow

Emb Powder:   Zing Chestnut

Dies:            DieNamics Horizontal Stitched Strips, Ellentina Nesting

                        Tag, Arich Rounded Corners Stitched Rectangles, Carta

                        Bella Hello Fall: Fall                      

Emb Folder: Spellbinders Bricks and Bark

Doo Dads:    May Arts Jute           

Nature

This one is a guy card for my stepson's birthday . . .

Andy lives on the edge of the woods, has two dogs, and is out in nature year 'round. The elements on this card are ones he sees all the time while walking the pups . . .

After sponging dye ink on the back of the fern stencil, I pressed it onto the cardstock.  As metal repels dye inks, the background got the speckled look I was after.  I dried it with my heat gun, replaced the stencil and ran it through my die cutting machine to raise up the fern image. 

Lastly I sponged the green ink through the stencil.  Because of the thickness of the brass, I wound up with some white edging which set off the fern quite nicely - an unexpected benefit!

Cardstock:   The Paper Cut Brown Umber, Beckett Candlelight,

                        Strathmore #90 Watercolor paper, Marcos Jute, Generic

                        scrap Dark Brown           

Stamps:       So She Stamps “Nature”

Inks:             Distress Mowed Lawn, Walnut Stain, Vintage Photo

Emb Powder:   Vippies Transcendence

Dies:            Lil Inkers Stitched Mats: Rectangles, Memory Box Large

                        Fremont Pine: Outline, Background, Nellie’s Straight

                        Dotted Oval                     

Stencil:        Lynell Harlow Fern, Simon Says Bokeh Lights

Doo Dads:    Lowe’s Home Improvement Granite Crystals, Delta Texture

                        Magic Vintage Leather

Blessings

I had absolutely no idea where I was going when I started in on this card . . .

 . . . and that exciting quest has become a major part of the fun of stamping 

for me. 

Ten years ago, this card would never have gotten off the table.  I loved the colors in the background layer which I found in my Scrap Stash, but couldn't figure out what to do with the piece.  That would have totally stumped me back in the early days of workin' the rubber.  But now I just start in, trying out one idea at a time.  It's always an  adventure and  I am loving the process.

Picasso said that, "Inspiration exists, but you have to find it working."  

He was right.

Cardstock:   Strathmore #90 Watercolor paper, Beckett Iceberg,

                        Splendorlux Embossed Column Silver           

Stamps:        A Stamp in the Hand Words Background Script, Red

                        Rubber Blessings

Inks:               Distress Lucky Clover, Chipped Sapphire, Peacock

                        Feathers, Twisted Citron, ColorBox Frost White,

                        VersaMark

Colorants:    Color Bloom Lime Wedge, Stamp Zia Chroma Teal

Emb Powder:   PSE Cobalt Tapestry, BMuse Silver, Sweet Stamps

                         Fine Detail White, Delafield Silver

Dies:            Mama Elephant Femme Frames, Memory Box Butterflies:

                        Vivienne, Darla, Pippi, Isabella, Spellbinders Victorian                         Tags                      

Doo Dads:    Plaid Liquid Chalk Pewter