Thanks a Bunch

A wonderfully patterned commercial gift bag inspired the layout on my Christmas Thank You note cards . . .

The layout was a good way to use up some scraps that had been moldering in my Scrap Stash for too long.  I used two different colors for the card base, just to enjoy a little variety.  I think the black background worked the best . . .

Cardstock:   Bazzill Raven, White, assorted embossed scraps from

                     my Scrap Stash      

Stamps:       Judikins Bead Curtain Background, Elizabeth Craft

                     Banner Sentiments

Inks:             ColorBox Gold

Emb Pwdr:   Ranger Gold, Judikins Detail Black

Dies:            Penny Black Modern Christmas Tree, Cheery Lynn

                     Christmas Knick Knacks, Elizabeth Craft Banners                      

Doo Dads:    Elizabeth Craft Stickers Gold        

The House

In our recent local Mayoral election, I campaigned for a friend I’ve known for thirty seven years.  Happily, he won!  As a devout believer, I knew he would appreciate some Biblical wisdom to add light to his new journey . . .

The inside message reads, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do and He will establish your plans.”  Howard has a lot to do in order to get our town back on track . . . God’s word will undoubtedly help him to do just that.

Cardstock:   Bazzill Light Grey, Strathmore Ultimate White, various 

                      scraps           

Text:             Typed

Dies:            Neat & Tangled Warm Winter Scene                  

Doo Dads:    Inkssentials Enamel Accents White        

With Sympathy

Way too many uses for condolence cards lately . . .

Jack, my friend of 37 years, made a profound difference in the lives of everyone he knew - mine included.  Along with his family, he helped people get their troubled lives back on track and turn despair into hope.  He will be missed for decades to come.

Memory Eternal . . .

Cardstock:   Bazzill Kachina, Stedner Bright White    

Stamps:       Clearly Wordsworth Comfort Collection: “With Sympathy”,

                     Stampendous Encouraging Words: Leaf Spray

Inks:             Distress Brushed Corduroy, Walnut Stain

Colorants:    Bister Die Powders Blue, Green

Dies:            Marianne Design Flower and Leaves, Arich Rounded

                     Corners Stitched Rectangles                

Doo Dads:    Glitter Ritz White     

Something Beautiful Remains

This card features one of my favorite sentiments to use on a sympathy card . . .

It reads:

The tide recedes but leaves behind

bright sea shells on the sand.

The sun goes down but gentle

warmth still lingers on the land.

The music stops and yet it

echoes on in sweet refrain.

For every joy that passes

something beautiful remains . . .

Wally was a Flight Service Manger on TWA and as a Flight Attendant, I was privileged to fly with him on numerous occasions which were always fun and memorable.  As we airline folks say, Wally has Flown West now . . . rest in sweet peace, my friend.

Cardstock:   Neenah Desert Storm, Generic White    

Stamps:       Brutus & Monroe Watercolor Background, Technique

                     Junkies Something Beautiful Remains, Sweet ‘n Sassy

                     Decorative Frame Toppers

Inks:             Distress Scattered Straw, Weathered Wood, Bundled

                     Sage, Hero Black, VersaMark

Emb Pwdr:   Seth Apter Dirty Sand

Dies:            Lawn Cuts Just Stitching Double Rectangles, The Stamp

                     Doctor A2 Card Layers #1                   

Emb Fldr:     Stampin’ Up Fancy Fan

Doo Dads:    Delta Paint Jewels Liquid Lead Gold      

Thanks!

Back to some more machine stitching . . .

 . . . so simple, quick, and easy - especially if you don't stress over straight lines and allow the stitching to be a little wonky!  More fun, less agida . . .

Cardstock:            Marcos Jute, Generic Black, assorted handmade

                                papers

Stamps:                 Stampin' Up Thanks

Inks:                       ColorBox Black

Emb Pwdr:             Judikins Detail Black

Punches:                Punch Bunch Flower                              

Doo Dads:              Pearl button, Black satin ribbon, machine stitching

Winter Window

Decades ago, my Mother gifted her two grandchildren with handmade Christmas ornaments every year.  I've had fun keeping the tradition going with two of our grandchildren . . . when they're all grown up and ready to fly the nest, they'll have at least eighteen ornaments to take with them for their own trees - with memories included!

Following an inspiring post by Kittie Caracciolo, I used a set of window dies for these ornaments.  If I'd thought ahead, I'd have simply backed the window frame with a piece of acetate.  But no - it was only afterwards that I realized the windows needed a little emphasis.  So it was Glossy Accents to the rescue!  Thank heavens that wonderful stuff is easy to apply . . .

Cardstock:   Stedner Bright White, Marcos Jute, Generic scraps Red,

                     Orange, Dark Green, Black       

Dies:            Spellbinders Standard Circles Small, Tim Holtz Bird

                     Crazy: Hat, Holiday Greens Mini, Our Daily Bread

                     Welcoming Window, Window Shutter & Awning, Flower

                     Box Fillers, Memory Box, Grove Branch, Darice Bird and

                     Cages, Impression Obsession Cardinals                            

Doo Dads:    Red satin ribbon, Nuvo Glitter Gloss, Inkssentials Glossy

                     Accents   

Dies used for the gift box:

                     Papertrey Ink Bulk Mail Envelope die, Our Daily Bread

                     Welcoming Window, Hero Alphabet Uppercase,

                     DieVersions Noodles (numbers)

Happy

 I seem to be in a stitching mode of late . . .

 . . . the two borders feature feather and running stitches, while the colorful background shows alternating tweed and knitted border images.  All of these stamps are classics in my stash and will probably set mileage records before I hang up the rubber . . .

Cardstock:   Bazzill Raven, Beckett Iceberg                       

Stamps:       Creative Catalyst Tweed & Knitted Borders, Stampin' Up

                     Itty Bitty Backgrounds, PSX Mesh Screen, Starving Artistamps

                     Feather Stitch & Running Stitch Borders          

Inks:             VersaCraft Black, ColorBox Frost White, Vivid Purple, Brick,

                     Straw, Olive, Teal

Emb Pwdr:   Judikins Opaque White, Detail Black

Dies:            Spellbinders Deckled Rectangle Large, Word Fetti

                     Recollections: Happy, Butterfly punch                           

Doo Dads:   Various dimensional drops 

It's Your Day

Adding stitching to a card always adds the nicest textural touch, in my view . . .

That explains why I've collected so many dies with stitching as part of the design.  The double stitched line on the perimeter of this card will undoubtedly be my favorite die set for all time.  Still and all, I think that stitching with real thread will always add that uniquely special touch to any layout.

Cardstock:   Unknown Sand, Handmade paper scraps

Stamps:       Stampin’ Up It’s your Day, Purple Daisy Sand

Inks:             Stampin’ Up Always Artichoke

Emb Pwdr:   Vippies Transcendence

Dies:            Lawn Cuts Just Stitching Double Rectangles, Gina Marie

                     Stitched Rounded Squares

Doo Dads:    Cream ribbon, fabric flower, pearl

Shine

Here's another technique I've not done in awhile . . .

After sponging the background colors onto watercolor paper and drying them, crumple the paper firmly, slightly smooth it out, and brush the black dye ink pad over the creases very lightly.  To soften the look, you can mist a bit with water.

         

Cardstock:   Bazzill Velvet,  Watercolor paper

Stamps:       Paula Best Ferns

Inks:             ColorBox Silver, Black, Distress Mowed Lawn, Dusty Concord, Black Soot

Emb Pwdr:   WOW Silver Sparkle

Dies:            Recollections Word Fetti: Shine

Punch:         Marvy Vase

Doo Dads:    Fiskars Corrugator, 1/8” Lilac ribbon