Happy New Year

Do you believe it. We are going into 2011 in a few hours. Why does the time fly?? This morning, the postman dropped off two cards in my mailbox and I thought I'd share these cards with you.

The first card is from Jenna Roby. Jenna is a member of RubberStampChat. I had participated in a rubber stamp swap recently and she too participated. She sent me this cute card. I love the soft colors used to color the snowmen.What a cute card.

Next I opened another card and this one is from another Sparkle N Sprinkle Design Team member, Linda Loew. Look at these two cute glittered snowmen.  What a great card.

Today the temperature has been in the low 60's. All the snow is melted and I think we are going to be getting rain soon. Tonite I am going to fix a small dinner and watch the ball drop as the new year starts. I hope everyone has a wonderful start to the new year.

I am looking forward to the new year and all it has in store for me.

Well this is the last post for 2010, I want to thank you for stopping by and keeping up with me thru my posts. I will be seeing you next year.(LOL)



Last minute gift accessories

Hi Everyone,
I know, as you  read this, you are probably finished buying all your gifts and getting them wrapped or maybe, just maybe, you still have things to finish. Well, as I wrote this post, all I had left to do was to make tags, so, I thought I'd share two things that I made to dress up a gift or a gift bag.

What do you get when you cross a brown, five petal flower, and a beige scalloped circle????

Would you believe a gingerbread man tag??? Isn't this cute and it really takes just a few minutes. After you cut out the shapes get your white pen and just add some faux stitches and zigzags on the hands and feet, add a face and some brads for buttons and your tag is done. Just punch a hole and add ribbon. Quick and easy.

OK here is the other thing I want to show you. I used packing stuff. This stuff is a very flexible foamy sheet. Not bubble wrap. (Don't you like my terms??) I have a really nice snowflake die from Accucut and using that die and that packing stuff, I cut cool snowflakes to attach to gift bags or presents or even to add as an ornament on your tree.

Since this packing stuff is white, I put a blue sheet of cardstock behind the snowflake so you could see it, otherwise it would get lost in the background. Well I have a few things to complete and I will be up late tonite getting then done before I go to bed. I want to have nothing to do tomorrow but reorganize my studio. And it sure needs it, it looks like a bomb hit it.(LOL)

My next post will probably be after Christmas, so, with that in mind, I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and thank you for reading my blog.

Well that's it for now, thanks for stopping by, see you soon,

Watercoloring with Copic Markers

I thought I would share something I just learned. You can achieve a watercolor effect by using your Copic Markers. Here are the results that I got.

I used Copic markers on the holly and the berries. To finish off the card, I sponged gold leaf on the opposite corners. So now, we have another way to use the Copic's and we will get a really cool look.

Well that's it for now, thanks for stopping by, see you soon,

More Birthday inspiration

Here is another card that might inspire you if you need a birthday card.

Cupcakes and sparklers are always fun for a birthday, aren't they??? I made my own glitter paper on that dark pink paper (it looks red in this photo, but it's not, it's pink) and used Copic markers to color the images. I even used a Copic to color the ribbon. It turned out perfect and was so easy to do. I like the fact that I can match ribbon to colors in the card. Of course I have done that in the past with dye inks too.

Well I have to get back to addressing my Christmas cards and my goal is to get them done and to the Post Office tomorrow.

Well that is it for now, thanks for stopping by, see you soon,

Getting ready for Christmas and a new Birthday Card design

I have been busy helping the elves get everything ready for Christmas. You know, Christmas is getting close and I am going to go out Monday and finish my shopping. I  don't have much left to buy. How about you? Are you finished. Are your gifts wrapped??? Are you ready??

I called a friend in Canada and they have had snow waist high. She has not been able to get to work for a few days and she lives 7 minutes from her job. Boy, I am glad that we haven't had that much snow here in Kentucky, 5" is enough for me. However the weatherman is calling for more snow here on Tuesday, so you know, I will be completing my shopping on Monday for sure.

For now, I wanted to share a card that I just finished for Sparkle N Sprinkle. This card will make a great birthday card no matter what time of year the birthday falls in. And you know, birthdays happen all the time.

Check out that punch design, it's a Kreaxions punch from Just Imagine Crafts. They have very unique designs and their punches serve double duty, they can punch borders as well as corners. I chose to just make a border with this punch. You might want to check these cool punches out.

I have one more card design that I will share with you on Sunday, so stop back for that card as well.
I need to start addressing my Christmas cards and get them mailed out. Time is flying by and if I am not careful, Christmas will be passing me by.

In the meantime stay warm and and finish your cards, projects, wrapping or whatever you have left to do.

Well that's it for now, thanks for stopping, see you soon, and stay calm, you will get it all done, (LOL)

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree........................

 A while back I mentioned I had made some gifts for friends but I couldn't share the pictures because the people getting these read my blog. Well, I can share the pictures now because they have their gift now.

I took pictures of 3 of the trees but,I actually made 6 different trees and they all came out great and they are all slightly different. I have to thank Sylvia Weaver Rivera from TheHive for showing her book/Christmas Tree at TheHive. Here is my take on her project. Thanks Sylvia, for giving me the inspiration for this project. I love it and the people who received these just love them as well. I picked up the books I used at my local St. Vincent de Paul. So I am doing my part of being "green", and 4 book only cost me $1.75. What a bargain!!!

Well that is it for now, thanks for stoping by,

Angels We Have Heard on High .............

Sorry I haven't posted for a while. Between doing my Christmas shopping and making some gifts, the time is just slipping by. Some of the gifts I've made I can't show right now because the recipients look at my blog. However, I will take pictures and show them on Christmas day. You will love them I am sure.

I thought I would share with you today an ornament that I have been working on.These angels are so sweet, aren't they. And they will look great on Christmas trees or even on a centerpiece. These sweet angels remind me of the song "Angels We Have Heard on High". The author of this song is unknown however it was translated in 1862 from a French song. Click here for more information on this song.

Well, I've still got to make my Christmas Cards and finish one more type of gift for friends and I will be done except for the mailing. Going to the Post Office will be fun I'm sure, since it's not my favorite place to go as the lines are always out the door (no exeragation).

Well I have to finish my projects, so, that's it for now, thanks for stopping by today, have a great week.

Barbara

MMSC81

 It's time for another Midnight Madness post. Here is the challenge for this week.

And here is my design based on the sketch.

Items used:

Cardstock - PopTones

Designer Paper - K & Company

Punch - Martha Stewart

Embossing Folder - Swirls

Flower & Swirl - ippity stamps (Now & Always set IPK-117)

Flower Center - Cuttlebug Quilled Chrysanthemum

Embellishment - Self Adhesive Rhinestones

Inks: Distress Ink- Peeled Paint; Fresco -Vatican Wine

This was fun to make and I decided to use some items that I haven't used in a while. I thought the Quilled Chrysanthemum  would be a great addition to the stamped flower center. Also I haven't used some of my embossing folders in a while so I thought the swirls went well with that swirly leaf stamp. Since I stamped the swirly leaf stamp on watercolor paper, after I cut the image out, I wet the paper and let the stamp lose a lot of its definition. I used Vatican Wine from Fresco on the flower. I just love all the Fresco inks. They give an old world flavor to the colors. I will stamp some things up later to show you the fabulous colors you get with these inks.They are a chalk finish dye ink, and I use them well over 50% of the time.

Well that is it for now. Thanks so much for stopping by, see you soon.

Barbara



LIIU Challenge #6 - Recycle It

This month, the challenge on Let's Ink It Up is "Recycle It". It just so happens I had saw something the other day and had saved it. It is the holiday packaging for the 12 packs of Diet Coke. It is silvery and has a snowflake and swirls on the background, which is the style that I really love. I set it aside on my desk, so, when I read the challenge for Let's Ink It Up, I knew what recycled product I was going to use. So, without further ado, here is my design.

Products that I used:
Stamp: Sparkle N Sprinkle
Glitter: Sparkle N Sprinkle
Coloring: Copic Markers
Ink: India Ink Pad
Red Cardstock:Pop Tones
Snowflake: Spellbinders Die
Punch: Martha Stewart
Silver Background: Coca Cola 12 Pack Packaging







I guess I am a pack rat. (Thanks mom). I see stuff and know it can be used later, this time later became sooner. And I love the packaging for the Diet Coke12 packs for this holiday season. Doesn't it look great on this card. Even the cans are really cool. Check them out the next time you are at the store. Also, the next time you see packaging for some product, really look at it. Chances are, it can be used on a card or some other project. Wait til you see something I will be using, sometime soon, from a fragrance package.

Well thanks for stopping by, see you soon, and leave a comment. I read and appreciate each and every one.
Thanks,

Barbara

MMSC80 and Fall {ippity} Stamps

Here is the MMSC80 design for this week. My design this week is from a set from the latest fall line of {ippity} stamps. The fall {ippity} stamps are in and they are really nice. These stamps are very deeply etched and they are all foam mounted and are a line made by Unity stamps, so, you know they are quality.

Here is a card using the stamps from set IPK-140 Sing a New Song.

Click here to go to ippity do da, my online ippity store, to view the complete new Fall 2010 line and to place your order. The store is open 24/7 for your shopping convenience.

 

That's it for now, thanks for stopping by, see you soon,

 

Barbara

CPS193

Ho Ho Ho......................

Here is the latest sketch design from Card Positioning Systems. After looking at this sketch, I knew I wanted to use a new embossing folder I just picked up today. However, after I put all the layers together I just had to add Santa, so I had to add to the sketch, Santa made me do it. (LOL)

So here is the design I came up with.The embossing folder is an exclusive one from Archiver's and I used designer paper for that great grid work background. The stamp I used for the Santa face is from Gumbo Graphics. This stamp is very old and unfortunately is no longer available. Sorry to use an old stamp but, this stamp is the best Santa stamp I have ever seen. Hope you like it.

That's it for today, thanks for stopping by, see you soon,

MMSC79

It's time for another Midnight Madness Sketch Challenge.

Even though the temperature is still above the norm here, these trees remind me of the season that is coming, Christmas. One of the best times of the year, don't you think.

Stamps: Rubber Monger, PrintWorks, SeeD's

Ink: Fresco, VersaMark

Paper:PopTones, Curious Metallics

Glitter: SparkleNSprinkle

Well, its time to start making my list and checking it twice, Santa will be here sooner than we think. OK... OK... I know we have to get thru Thanksgiving first.

Have a great week.

Thanks for stopping by, see you soon,


Barbara

November's Challange

I belong to a stamp club and each month we are given something to use in the design of a card. We refer to it as the challenge. Well here is what we were given at the October meeting. This orange sheet with diamonds pre-perforated on it, what was I going to do with this. So I layed it aside and kind of forgot about it. Well the meeting was Tuesday, and here I was, Tuesday morning, trying to design a card using this strange piece. After looking at my stamps, the design finally came to me. I have included 2 different views of the finished card. It's amazing what the creative part of our brain will let us see. I wonder what you would have done with it.

Well that is it for now have a great day and thanks for stopping by,

Barbara

Winter Trees

Hello everyone,
Not too long ago I opened an email from Stamp Zia, announcing her stamp for November. I just fell in love with the stamp and ordered it. I received that stamp, Winter Trees, and finally got to play with it Wednesday. There is a technique that is listed on her website that Zana uses with this stamp and the results are quite striking. So, since I bought the stamp, I just had to try the technique to see what I would end up with. And I am quite pleased. Hope you like what I have done.

It's amazing how color can change the look of a card, or a piece of artwork, isn't it.

I hope you enjoy these pieces as much as I enjoyed making them. 

That's it for now, thanks for stopping by, see you soon,

Barbara

Repurposing for Christmas

Hello Everyone

Today I am sharing an item that I re purposed for gift giving.
I am not a coffee drinker, but those latte drinks at the grocery that are in those little 4 pack carriers, are perfect to cover. Then adding soaps or bath salts or candy or whatever in the bottles is so cool.

I carefully took the collar off the bottle and used for a template. Remove the collar and any labels off all bottles. Wash the bottles and let them dry. Using the collar from one of the bottles I made new collars and used a beautiful designer paper. Next I took the little carrying carton and recovered it with the same paper and look what it looks like now. Add a little something to the caps to cover and you are done. This would be cute to make for a little birthday gift as well.

OK, time to get started on your Christmas projects. You have about 46 days left 'til Christmas.(LOL)

Well that is it for today, thanks for stopping by, see you soon,

Barbara

Christmas Card Idea

Did you know that in 47 days Christmas will be here.WOW!!! At this time of year, every year, I wonder where the time has gone.Today, I thought I would share with you an idea that you will love. And it enables you to save from year to year some of those special holiday cards you receive.

What do you do with all the holiday cards you receive?? Do you save them?? And then what happens to them?? Oh, they get stored in a box and they never see the light of day again?? OK, a lot of us are like that. Well here is a great way to show the cards off again and put then on display especially if you will be entertaining throughout the holidays.

Get an old book, go to the Thrift Shop in your area and pick up one if you don't have a book you want to part with. Any title will do. Next gather up the cards that you want to use.  Next count how many cards you are using and divide that number into the total number of pages in your book.The number will represent approximately pages you will have in each section. Next section off the number of pages per section, using binder clips or large paper clips. Now, using white glue, paint glue on the page edges of each section. You will want to get the page edges pretty wet but not drippy. Let dry. (I actually put waxed paper between the sections to keep the sections separated while drying.) I let this dry overnight. While your book is drying, cut the card fronts off the cards and anything else from the card that you will be using, make sure to keep all your card elements together from each of the cards. Maybe you want to use just the card front, that is what I did but I also used some of the sentiments too. After the glue on the page edges is dry paint the front and back of the book. I used acrylic paint in champagne gold, love this color. This gold color is soft and not too brassy. After the front and back of the book is dry, paint the edges of the sections in the same gold color. Let all the paint dry.

Now the fun begins. In this step I decided the order of the cards and painted the printed pages with a color that went with that card. It could be a contrasting color or a color that was the same as the card, but you want your card to stand out on the page not to be buried in the page.You will be painting the printed pages of each glued section. After the paint is dry I affixed the cards on their respective pages. Lastly I added embellishments to add further interest. You can see that I trimmed a lot of the cards to fit into the book to make the cards look like they belonged on that page. I had a few cards that I actually cut the card front in half because the card was just too big. I even stamped on some of the pages, but you could add stickers too if you wanted. Brads and buttons are also cool embellishments, as well as die cuts. Let your imagination go wild.

 

This is a great way to preserve special cards and to be able to display them the following year. You can even add the year to the front of the book so you can remember what year you received your special cards.

How cool is that.

Tomorrow I will show you another re purposed item that you can use for a Christmas package  or a birthday gift or whatever the occasion is. See you then.

Well, that's it for now, thanks for stopping by,

Barbara

Inchies and Inchies+

We all have probably made a card and added a small stamped square to the card. Well I needed to make a few cards with inchies on them so I thought I'd share my creations with you today. These cards are perfect for Valentine's Day. I know, that is a long way off but it really is right around the corner. Stamps used are: Sparkling Daisy 1040-211D and Tossed Hearts 1041-211B from set 221 and the sentiment Happy Valentine’s Day 3202-401B is in set 401

I really like the Nymph stamp I used on this card. She is really awesome isn't she. Here are the stamps I used on this card: Flower Nymph 1034-211E , Posy Cluster 1039-211A and Hearts & Stars Swirls 1036-211G are in set 221

This card that is appropriate for the fall season. The stamps used are: Swirly Maple 3279-410M, Swirly Oak Leaf  3280-410A, Swirly Acorn 3286-410A , Faith 3283-410B. These are all in set 410

All of the stamped images featured in these cards are from Sparkle N Sprinkle. Clink on the link to see the stamp sets and the other stamps in those sets.










That is it for now,thanks for stopping by, and I will see you soon,

Barbara