Happy Anniversary

An invisible new tool is in play here . . .

Last month, my Christmas cards featured three sequins per card.  Judging from the feedback I got, many of them left their moorings and were found at the bottom of the envelope.  My non-stamping friend Susi suggested I use Super Glue next time, and boy was she right.  I did a test with four more sequins on scrap paper and those babies are staying put!

On this card, the wooden dots were attached with Super Glue and they are solidly in place.  I have never felt truly confident about many of the embellishments I have used in the past – especially plastic ones like sequins, as plastic is notorious for flimsy adherence.  But now, a tube of Super Glue is on my table and will be put to use for all iffy attachments.  It takes just one small and easily-squeezed-out drop to do the trick and adherence is almost immediate.  No more worries about what the USPS will do to my embellishments . . . I’m in heaven!

Cardstock:   Bazzill Rope Swing, Strathmore #140 Watercolor        

Stamps:       Stampers Anonymous “Mesh”

Inks:             VersaColor Sage, ColorBox Moss Green, 

  VersaMagic Spanish Olive, Distress Old Paper,

  Brushed Corduroy

Dies:            Le Crea Multi Die Flower, TEMU Words Set:

 “Happy Anniversary”           

Stencil:        AlteNew Foliage

Doo Dads:    My Mind’s Eye Wood Dots, Foamiran

Thank You

My stash of Washi tapes is, in a word, excessive.  So it’s time to start mowing down the pile . . .

Over the years, I’ve hesitated to use Washi tapes because of their flimsy glue.  I was always afraid they’d come loose over time.  But the simple solution is to wrap the Washi ends behind the layer I’ve taped them to, which is what I’ve done here.  Or I could always just dab on some extra glue. 

My tape collection has some real beauties in it so I’ve decided to put them to work on a regular basis . . . prepare yourselves for a Washi Workout!

Cardstock:   Marcos Jute, Scraps Beige, Red  

Stamps:       Hero Frames with Sprigs set, Purple Onion “Thank You”

Inks:             Gina K Charcoal Brown

Dies:            Hero Frames with Sprigs set, Cheery Lynn Tiny

  Flower Kit                

Emb Fldr:    Taylored Expressions Rosy Posy

Doo Dads:   Washi tapes, May Arts Jute         

It's Your Day!

The background on this one was made with a new, four-layered stencil set . . .

Three shades of green paired with textured white watercolor paper and some clear water drops made for a clean and fresh look I really like.  I hope the Birthday Girl who’s getting this card likes it too!

Cardstock:   Bazzill Bazzill Green, Strathmore #140 Watercolor       

Stamps:       Stampin’ Up “It’s Your Day!”

Inks:             ColorBox Chalk Warm Green, VersaColor Sage, Split                               Pea, Distress Brushed Corduroy

Emb Pwdr:  Vippie’s Transcendence

Dies:            DieNamics Single Stitched Line Rectangle Frame, 

  Papertrey Ink Happiness in Bloom Leaves, Tim Holtz 

  Labels           

Stencil:        AlteNew Zero Waste: Field of Flowers

Emb Fldr:    Darice Crackle

Doo Dads:    Kat Scrappiness Sparkling Clear Droplets         

It's Your Day!

One of the things I love most about layering stencils is the ability to use multiple colors in the same design . . .

Can you imagine having to color an intricate design by hand?  It would take forever and for me, at least, would be difficult to do perfectly.  Layering stencils fix all the difficulties, take way less time, and turn out looking great.  My collection of layering stencils is growing and I’m glad of it!

Cardstock:   Bazzill Pear, Strathmore #100 Bristol Smooth,

#140 Watercolor   

Stamps:       KaiserCraft Marble, Stampin Up “It’s Your Day!”

Inks:             VersaColor Bamboo, ColorBox Chalk Ice Blue, 

Unknown Purple

Emb Pwdr:  Whispers Clear Glitter, ColorBox Frost White, 

Vippies Transcendence

Dies:            Papertrey Ink Mega Gracious Vases, Craftsless 

Branches, Arich Rounded Corners Stitched Rectangles                

Stencil:        Lisa Horton Layering Abstract Squares

Happy Birthday

A brand new leafy rose die and a handmade paper background I’ve long wanted to use . . .

 

 I love how the partially cut petals can be propped up with tiny pop dots to add lovely dimension . . . anything at all that has to do with dimension has definitely got my name on it!

Cardstock:   Unknown Sage Green, Purple, handmade paper         

Stamps:       Kaiser Craft Marble

Inks:             ColorBox Gold, Distress Bundled Sage

Emb Pwdr:   Ranger Gold

Dies:            TEMU Rose Flower & Leaf, Vertical Words: Happy,                          Birthday, Unknown Flower punch           

Doo Dads:    Nuvo Glitter Gloss Clear, Queen & Co Pearls Grass Green

Ornaments 2024

My Mother made ornaments for her two grandchildren every year until they finished school.  Now, I get to do the same thing with mine . . .

 This whimsical tree is a great way to use up scraps and this simple tree goes together very quickly.  Scroll down for a look at their mailing boxes.

Cardstock:   Starwhite #130 Tiara White, Assorted Designer Papers         

Stamps:       Technique Junkies Faint Scratches

Inks:             VersaMark

Emb Pwdr:   Ranger Embossing Tinsel Silver, Sparkle & Sprinkle 

Root Beer Fizz

Dies:            Memory Box Circle Basics Set, Sizzix Floral Arch and

Words set, DieNamics Pierced Circle Frames, Simon

Says Layered Tree                  

Doo Dads:    Mark Richards Metals Gold, Silver         

 

BOX:

Simon Says Layered Tree, Tim Holtz Alphanumeric

Assorted Designer Papers         

Papertrey Ink Bulk Mail Envelope

JOY

For this year’s season of joy, I went for a disarmingly simple layout . . .

 

  . . . however, the pre-assembly prep took just as much time as it always does.  It’s a good thing I always enjoy fussing over the details!  May this Christmas season be a blessing to one and all . . .

Cardstock:   Marcos Jute, Georgia Pacific #110 Cardstock, Various 

Patterned Papers   

Dies:            Lifestyle Crafts Joy, Tim Holtz Paper Snowflakes                  

Emb Fldr:     Sizzix Chevrons & Flourishes Set

Doo Dads:    NUVO Aqua Shimmer Glitter Gloss, Simon Says 

Assorted Moonshine Sequins