"Friendship is Golden" Slim Line cards

 Happy New Year, friends! Before my six cards are shared, may I ask a big question?

Has anyone heard from Carol Hurlock? She is a fantastically gifted crafter/artist who is quite unique and prolific in her endeavors. She is awe-inspiring! Carol stopped posting in 2022 (during Pandemic). She is such a gracious, kind, beautiful soul who is wonderfully talented in every way, and I miss her. Please let me know if you have heard anything. Thanks!

Hoping your family is safe and healthy, enjoying all the good things Life has to offer. Yesterday at Dusk, we had several "dancing deer" skylarking across the front pasture. It's always fun watching them, especially when frolicking is the main activity at the moment! 😁

 Slow and steady eventually gets to the finish line, right? Today's share is six "skinny" cards 8.5" x 4", using Anna Griffin dies in the background and an assortment of patterned papers and vellums.

Three cards sport woven satin ribbon frames. This is one of my favorite techniques, especially if the ribbon is "puffy" and "imperfect" in its display of shiny fabric. I start in one corner, and slowly make my way around the frame:

Once the ribbon has traveled around the die cut, it is cut in the corner and "tucked under" to look finished:

The smaller, focal die images are mostly from Gold Glossy card stock, and shadowed with black card stock:

First, ink some of the background papers for better dimension and a more finished look:

For some of the shadows, I outlined the die with a light-colored pencil, and fussy cut them out. This made the black portion slightly larger than the die cut itself:

These two cards show off dimension and texture by using glitter on the leaves, dimension tape circles, and glitter behind the glossy card stock. The second card has three butterflies with three layers, each featuring vellum or patterned card stock. It also has printed vellum in the background.

The first card (also shown below) has glitter on the glossy card stock (in real life, it is quite shiny and sparkly). The "dots" are 1/8" high dimensional dots that have been dredged with glitter. Notice the butterfly on the right side has been dimensionalized a little differently, with the butterfly body glued flat to the base, puffed up in the middle, and then flattened again on the edges. Not sure how that will make it through the post office machines, so it may be hand delivered. 

sigh...

I long for the "olden days" post office when we could send anything through the mail as long as long as we put enough postage on for weight. (do you?).

Sometimes, less is more:

Alas, I decided MORE is more:

more sparkle

more glitz

more shine

more butterflies

more jewels...

This one escaped the glitter, but the vellum under the butterfly is shimmering gold with bejeweled brads, shiny ribbon, and a sentiment made on the label maker:

Layers include the base, printed Vellum card stock, gold Anna Griffin solid piece, an ivory filagree die cut, ribbon, Spellbinders glossy leaves, label maker sentiment, hand traced and cut black shadow, hand traced and cut sparkling vellum, and finally patterned paper, frilly butterfly die cut:

This card showcases textures:

The sixth card:

The interiors are just as unique:

The interior here is glittered on one side:

Thanks for wading through all the photos.

Thinking of you all, with gratitude. Thank you for your fabulous inspiration, and caring comments.

Products: Stamps A-Line Stamping F-487 (2000? or 2001?), Penny Black 1785E Lovely Day (2000),  Really Reasonable Satin Ribbon ButterCup 5/8", Dies: Anna Griffin AG-1239H-AS Slimline Concentric Die, IO Monarch DIE059-N, Cheery Lynn Butterfly, Tonic Studios Celebrate, Cardstock: pattern paper (REALLY OLD from a store in Tampa called "Tamp-a-Stamp" back in 2001.), Marcos Gold Glossy, Bright Ivory CS, Golden CS, Inks: Walnut Distress, VersaMark, Acorn VersaFine Clair, Other: (mixed gold and clear glitter). Dimensionals

Gratefully playing in the following fine challenges:

1. A Perfect Time to Craft #1 (Jan 1) AG 2/1 (sep post 3/29)
2. Crafts Galore Encore #143 (Jan 1) AG (sep post 2/1)
3. Love to Craft Challenges #90 (Jan 1) AG 2/15 (nxt chal 3/1)
4. Mix It Up Challenge #81 (Jan 1) AG with Ribbon  2/15 (nxt chal 3/1) 3 cards have ribbon woven in them.
5. Moving Along With The Times #185 (Jan 1) AG us stencils and/or dies (several layers of dies on each card). 1/31 (sep post 1-2 weeks later)
6. Paper Rocks Scissors Challenge #12 (Jan 2) AG using Paper and/or Scissors 1/31 (The shadows have been fussy cut, to make them slightly larger than the die itself. The Cheery Lynn butterfly die only had the frilly version, so the background vellum was fussy cut, then the shadow also had been fussy cut slightly larger. Several types of papers/card stock were used.
7. A Cut Above (Jan 5) AG with die cuts (used multiple dies: Dies: Anna Griffin AG-1239H-AS three Slimline Concentric Dies, IO Monarch DIE059-N, Cheery Lynn Butterfly, Tonic Studios Celebrate 1/28 (sep post 2/1)
8. Pammies Inky Pinkies Challenges #2602 AG 1/18
9. Cut It Up Challenges #347 Favorite Dies 1/19 (Gosh! It was fun looking at everyone's favorites this time. My favorites are my butterfly dies, but I also love my Spellbinders foliage sets. Both are featured here. Are we allowed to have lots of faves? LOL Thank you for the fun challenge.
10. Elliebelle's Garden Party #11 (Jan 8) Anything in or from a Garden 2/9

fondly,

Winter Pink Birthday Card

Hello, everyone! It is my sincerest hope you are doing well this holiday season. 

Today's birthday card is for a very dear friend. Birthdays in December often mean "seasonal" themed cards, and this one is no different! Being a rather new stamper, my friend enjoys challenges with new techniques and products. It's fun seeing stamping "anew" through her eyes. I've always enjoyed making dimensional cards with flowers, embellishments and other themes. Like many of you, once the post office changed the "thickness" rules, I altered my style. But since this is being delivered in person, I took advantage of that by creating a "thick" card!

After taking over 20 shots, I gave up! The pure white feathers show up as a drab gray. I think maybe the tininess of each feather barb, and the thinness of the "afterfeathers" created a shadow beneath, making the white appear gray. Has that happened to you when photographing white feathers? 

Taking a cue from Leslie Miller, I've produced an "off-size" skinny (slimline) card 4.25" x 7.25". With several layers, lots of sparkle was added to match the sparkle of Ana's personality. I sure do wish the sparkle showed up better. From my "pieces box", I put together lots of odds 'n' ends. The poinsettia petals all have a thick coating of clear glue mixed with highly textured glitter and mylar glitter. The center is comprised of Prills (I have a ton of those in my stash from some 8-9 years ago in a host of colors!). The luster balls have florist wire and were purchased at least 10 years ago from Hobby Lobby's bridal section. There is a paper raffia piece which was inked in pumice stone, and metallic silver netting from a wire ribbon. 

The French background script is from a virginal SU 5x6 wood mount stamp at least 20 years old. This card was SO MUCH FUN to make, using stuff from my "unfinished box" stuff, and old crafting goodies crying to be used!

Inside:

On the inside is a pocket for a gift card, adorned with the same MS punch as used on the card front and on the borders of the interior sentiment. I really do love the old MS punches. To make the simple pocket, I cut cardstock one inch wider than necessary, scored the two sides at 1/2 inch, and the bottom at 1/2 inch. Niche the corners for the fold to fit neatly. Adhere the back so that the niched places are glued to one another rather than to the pocket itself, so the gift card can slide in and out easily. Wish I had taken a photo of that for posterity (giggle).

Products:   Dies: Sue Wilson Noble Dies Double Pierced Bkgrnd CED5512, SW Dandelion CED1434, IO Pine Branch DIE021, IO Pine Sprig DIE319, MS Floral Crochet PAP Punch, MS Holly Punch, Stamps: Freebie Sentiment (shared below), SU En Francais script background stamp, SU birthday Warmest Regards stamp, Cardstock: SU pink & Green, white, old designer paper, Vellum,  Inks: Pumice Stone, Shabby Shutters, Peeled Paint, Worn Lipstick, Spun Sugar, VersaMark, Other: Feathers, Chunky Clear Glitter, Clear Mylar Glitter, Silver ultra fine glitter, Green EP with Glitter, Lime Prills, embellishments from the bridal section of Hobby Lobby, Silver Metallic Ribbon Netting, Paper Netting inked with pumice stone.

My gift to you - Arrangements of the same sentiment - one for any day and one for birthday - for use on the inside or outside of your projects. Please do not sell these Sentiments. Use on any of your projects, including projects involving any design teams you might be on.

Click on the image to bring it to full size. Because of the changes Google Made with Blogger (June 2020), your image will appear to be solid black. Don’t panic. Right click and do a SAVE AS PNG. Once it is saved on your hard drive, you can open it and it will have a transparent background. I create PNGs instead of JPGs so they can be placed anywhere on a scene or project, and so backgrounds can be made using them. Please let me know if you have any problems. I hope they serve you well!

Enjoy!

   

Thanks for stopping by.

I'd like to support the following challenges by playing in them please:

1. Fab 'n' Funky #626 All That Glitters 11/2 (sep post week later) (silver, clear, chunky, mylar glitters (inside and out).
2. As You Like It Challenge Nov 27 "Gold, Silver or Glitter and Why" 12/11 If it is glittery, it's for me! This birthday card is made for Ana who LOVES glitter and glitzy things. Although the mylar and chunky clear glitters are not showing up very well in photography of the poinsettia flower layers, the sparkly silver glitter is merry sparkle for the season inside and out. Glitter is amazing in its many uses. Thanks for the fun challenge!
3. Elliebelle's Garden Party #9 Anything from a Garden 12/8 (poinsettia flower) (FU #11)
4. Pammie's Inky Pinkies #2547 AG 11/30
5. Creations in Pink #87 AG in Mainly Pink 12/13 (sep post)
6. Tic Tac Toe Challenge #284 (Using left to right diagonal - Embellishment, Free, Flowers) Several embellies feather, paper raffia, metallic net ribbon, prills, pearls. 12/11 sep post week later
   
   
   
   
   
   

Seasonal Card Sampler

 Fall may be in the air for most of the country, but for those of us who live in the Sunshine State, all is lush, green, and still pretty warm. However, this past week we've enjoyed night-time temps in the 40s! (7-7.5C). 

At 6AM this morning, my dear husband exclaimed, "Donna! It's only 45 outside!" To which I replied, "Let me dig out your snowsuit!"

 LOL! If it is below 70F, Jack dons a heavy hoodie. Still, there is nothing so beautiful as one's home, right? There really is no place like home, and we love our Florida home!

Today's post is a little sampler of cards recently completed from my "Unfinished Projects Box":

These mummies with googly eyes are something I saw on Pinterest a while back! So cute! The torn strips were distressed for dimension and a sense of "ancientness" LOL

I believe the scarecrow and pumpkins are from Stampin' Up! products maybe 6-7 years ago? The dies are Spellbinders and Sue Wilson

The die cuts are Spellbinders. The horizontal brown strip holds some burlap, with a glitter strip atop. That heart is really glittery, from old crafty stash.

Wishing you all lovely times together with your friends and family this Autumn Holiday Season! Thank you so much for stopping by.

Playing in the following challenges, please:

1. The Four Seasons Challenge (November 1) Fall theme 11/25
2. Neglected Stuff Challenge (Nov 2) Use neglected items 11/28 Use brown glitter from 9 years ago, burlap trim (at least 15 years), brads from 15-20 years ago?, brown cardstock I purchased at a warehouse sale 20-25 years ago? LOL Thanks for the fun challenge down memory lane.
3. FarmQuest Challenge Blog #77 Pumpkins with a Country Theme 11/28
4. Hearts Quest Challenge #79 AG with heart with option of brown or gold/yellow 11/27

hugs,

Christmas tri-fold with an accordion twist? + using up scraps

 Hi, friends! Welcome to still-way-too-hot-and-muggy Florida, where butterflies abound and birds serenade! Honestly, no complaints here about the weather, especially since so many others are dealing with far worse conditions. THANKS FOR POPPING BY!

WAXING SENTIMENTAL

Speaking of friends, I'd like to thank the MANY OF YOU who are kindly encouraging -- not just to me, but to most people you meet. As women, we experience feelings of insufficiency sometimes, especially when helping our families. YOU have made me feel accepted, cared for and supported.

Remember this:

We are always so much more than

          (and different from) 

                  what others perceive we are. 

We are also so much more than what we 

         believe ourselves to be. 

                There is a hidden part in our souls 

         free from the tyranny of mere perceptions. 

                     THAT is our authentic, faithful self.

From that beautiful place pours forth 

         Patience, 

              Hope, 

                   Strength and 

                         Love.   (dme)

Which brings me to today's card share -- inspired by my friend Ana at Toadily Handmade Designs. Remember WAY BACK WHEN we used to have PROGRESSIVE CARD SWAPS made by snail mailing parts of a card base to another person, then that person added something to the card? In turn, they mailed it forward to yet another person, who added THEIR touches, and so forth, until a card was finally completed and returned to the originating person who started the swap? There could be anywhere from two to ten players assembling these fun concoctions, and it was ESPECIALLY fun to see how the end product turned out with so many hands stirring the pot.

In this case...

Ana provided the SU! fun-folded designer paper card base and the SU! coordinating tag. I took it from there. Thanks, Ana! 

Does anyone know if this is a tri-fold card with a Z twist? I've heard it called a Side Gate Fold. It resembles this card design and this design.

OLDIES BUT GOODIES

With some OLD gold confetti vellum, die cut as a tag backdrop, and a previously die cut happy, glittery background shape now outlined in Ocean Green Copic Marker to bring out the edges.

Two REALLY...

             REALLY...           REALLY OLD...

Christmas Stamps - one by Hampton Arts purchased at Michaels 20+ years ago and never used is shaped like a Christmas tree with the merriest of sentiments. I messed up by not paying attention. After heat embossing the white EP sentiment, I quickly adhered it, only to see messy specks of loose EP. Sigh. Rather than redo the whole thing, trustie clear WINK OF STELLA came to the rescue. The Christmas tree shape was colored in with the WOS, completely masking the errant white embossing powder! The 2nd old stamp is by Art Impressions H2871 JOY from a 2005 convention.

Dancing snowflakes cut from the tin-foil vapor-seal on my whey protein powder helped winter-up the design. I really enjoyed making this card. Except for the vellum tag, all the other pieces were "left overs" that finally saw life!

Opening the accordion front:

Fully opened interior:

Products: Base Card already folded by Ana. Dies: Spellbinders Labels 4, Surprise Creations Decorative Ovals, Sue Wilson Pierced Tags, Die-Versions Wee Petites Snow Flurries, "Papers": Recycled silver foil from protein powder, Vellum with Confetti, SU Designer Paper, SU Shaded Spruce, White Glitter Paper, Other: Ocean Green Copic Marker, Gold Wink of Stella, Deckle Scissors, White Embossing Powder, VersaFine Clair Rain Forest, Wink of Stella Clear Stamps: Art Impressions H2871, Hampton Arts, Hampton Arts Sentiment Tree

Thanks for hosting fun challenges:

1. Creative Creases #107 AG with a fun fold 10/2
2. The Holly and Ivy #191 Anything Christmas Goes 9/21
3. Christmas Bingo Challenges #15 Using the "N" column: tag, free, stamped phrase 10/15
4. Merry Little Christmas Challenge #64 AG Christmas 10/15
5. Aud Sentiments Challenge #329 Tags + a Sentiment (2 tags layered on the front and sentiment is on front, and in interior middle) 10/1
6. Pammie's Inky Pinkies #2537 AG 9/22

Crafty Hugs,