Christmas Poinsettia

This is another one of those impulse buys at ACMoore. They had their Sizzix dies 50% off at one point, and I saw this poinsettia die. Well, I haven't really used my Cuttlebug for die cutting that much, and I had my handy-dandy "sandwich" guide for using other dies and I thought "what the heck!" I was finally able to use it today. It was a bit tedious because it cuts three different shapes (a large leaf, a small leaf, and a center). I had to cut 9 large leaves, 7 small leaves, and one center. I used SU cardstock in Ruby Red and Always Artichoke for the leaves. From there, I sponged the edges in the coordinating ink to give some texture. To finish them, I used my clear spica glitter pen to give just the hint of shimmer to it. The center piece is cut from SU's Riding Hood Red. I used my Versamark pen and drew dots in the middle, then I used gold glitter embossing powder on it. To finish this part, I used a dark red glitter pen for the edges.

The size of the card is a bit massive because the pieces of the flower are quite large. I mounted the assembled flower on a piece of paper from my Basic Grey 6x6 Wassail paper pack and ticket corner punched the edges. Finally, I put it on a piece of SU Vanilla card stock for the base. I did have to trim the patterned paper a bit, so the card size is 6x6. There isn't a lick of stamping on the front, but I did use sentiments from an old SU set called Season's Greetings on the inside.

This is definitely a one of a kind card...too time-consuming to mass produce!! Thanks for stopping by and taking a look!

Tilda as Lucia

The more that I work with these Magnolia stamps, the more I like them!! Darn that Dawn for enabling me yet again! I am usually a little late to the game on a lot of things, so this is one of the first times that I used Twinkling H2Os. Can you believe it? I also used my brand new toy, the Slice by Making Memories. I was so excited to finally have an electronic die cutting machine. I went a little crazy with my AC Moore coupons! The paper is Wassail from Basic Grey, and I used my copic markers for coloring.

I decided that I had to have this particular stamp because this year I wanted to connect to my roots. I'm half Swedish, and I grew up in a town that was heavily populated by Swedes!! Of course, my grandfather was a Swedish immigrant from Finland (wild, huh?) who didn't speak a lick of Finnish, only Swedish! My hometown, Jamestown, NY has a Lucia Fest every year, so I do remember it well! My daughter is a bit young to dress up like Lucia, but I'm sure in the future that she will.

On another note, I want to introduce you to some great blog candy from PaperMonkey. Seriously, it is really awesome, and so is her blog!!

Rocket Man

I'm sorry that I haven't posted in a while. First it was Thanksgiving, then it was the stress of my husband changing jobs, then it was the impossible task of hosting two birthday parties back to back in my home for our daughter's 4th birthday! What was I thinking? Well, there is still plenty of stress to go around, but I'm digging my way out. I'm going to try to post some of the cards that I have managed to make on here from the past few weeks! Thanks for your patience!

The "Rocket Man" card is actually for my nephew's 6th birthday. That is getting into a difficult card making age. Everything I have seems so cutesy and geared for boys, but I think this one came out pretty well. I used the SU set All Mixed Up, and the color combination is Blue Bayou, Riding Hood Red, and Summer Sun. In addition I used SU ribbon and the SU star punch. The background is from a Cuttlebug embossing folder. I used both Faber Castell pencils with gamsol and copic markers to color in the image. To finish it off, I used Crystal Effects on the helmet to give the illusion of a glass astronaut's helmet. Thanks for taking the time to stop by today!

Nancy

Getting philosophical and then down to work...

Sometimes, the really creative genes just aren't there, and you just have to sit down and make the cards you need to make. Well, these are those cards. They aren't spectacular, but they're simple and straightforward (kind of like me, I guess!!)

My mom needed a 50th wedding anniversary card, and I had to get it in the mail ASAP. I had to use the wrought iron punch trick (does it have an official name?)! I really like what it adds to the card. I dabble in cool things, and then I go back to my paper crafting comfort zone. I guess if I take small risks, it still counts as taking a risk, right?

One comfort zone I stayed in was Stampin Up stamps (don't get me wrong, I love them), but when I discovered the multitude of other companies out there, I couldn't deny my need to wander!

However, I have learned this about my stamping self...I like simple, clean layouts. If I try to gunk it up with too many embellishments or too much going on, it tends to make me a little crazy!

Oh, I almost forgot...here is some more blog candy!! Check out Fran's blog!

Holy Cutting, Batman!!

That is the one thing that stands out to me about this card...there was an awful lot of cutting involved. I can still remember how my sister used to love to sit and cut these small little words and intricate pictures. Well, me, not so much!! I borrowed these Magnolia stamps from my friend Dawn, aka the enabler!

Here is the list of copics used:

Basket/Tree/Branches: E57 Lt. Walnut, E59 Walnut

Sweater, hat: R27 Cadmium Red


Pants/Accents: B34 Manganese Blue


Hair: Y21 Buttercup Yellow


Shoes: E57 Lt. Walnut


Scarf/Gloves: YG91 Putty


Leaves: YR09 Chinese Orange, YG91 Putty, YR02 Lt. Orange, YR24 Pale Sepia, Y21 Buttercup Yellow, YG95 Pale Olive





Thanks for taking the time to stop by!

Don't miss this awesome candy!!

This is an incredible amount of blog candy!! Visit Debbie's blog for more information!!

My very own crafting space

These pics have been in my Splitcoast Gallery, but I'm posting on here for the benefit of friends and family who don't have access. Plus, my new blog background matches the motif I was trying for in there! I love my new space, and it really makes my crafting a lot easier! The desk was custom made by a local man. It is in 3 sections so that I can move and/or transport easily. It also has a small hidden drawer in the front. The shelves on either side were designed to fit my tools, but especially my Creative Memories albums. The cubes were on super clearance at Michaels. The peg boards and accessories above are from Pottery Barn Kids. The chair is a counter height stool from JCPenney. Thanks for taking a peek!!

Birthday Party Invitation for Meredith

Meredith will be turning 4 soon, and I needed to make her birthday party invitations! I found this card on Splitcoast that inspired me! I'm not a big fan of "case"ing, but sometimes you just have to go with it! I made sure that I put a link to it in my gallery description and I sent the person a note letting them know!

I was able to try paper piecing...it's easier than the quilting version of paper piecing, but it is still pretty picky!! I also used the technique of using the wrought iron punch for making a doily! Very fun! Thanks for stopping by!

More Blog Candy...

I found some more blog candy on a really cute site. These stamps are from the UK, and they are adorable!! Pink Gem Designs is offering a special deal and blog candy, too!! Good luck!

What does 200 cards look like?

This is what it looks like!! But, why 200 cards, you ask? They are for a children's charity here in Charlotte, North Carolina called Birthday Blessings. They provide birthday presents and classroom parties for poor and/or homeless children in our area. Dawn and I wanted to make a few cards, so we proposed that our stamp club make our monthly swap cards for this worthy cause. Well, 200 cards later, here they are. We also raised some money to sponsor one classroom party. Many times there weren't cards to give, so instead of not including one with a gift, we have taken the financial burden off a bit, and we are giving each child a handmade birthday card! For more information on how to donate cards, please see this thread on Splitcoaststampers, where other SCSers have donated cards as well!