"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,

House Mouse Gingerbread Decorating {Christmas Bingo Challenges}

NOTE: My Jan's Digi Stamps design team project is also published today here.

Yippee! I'm so excited to share a brand new Christmas Challenge for blog land!

It's The Most Wonderful Time of the Year! A brand new challenge blog for Christmas lovers all year long! 

Named Christmas BINGO Challenges, a new bingo card is available for each challenge. But this bingo is a bit different. Only columns may be used (not rows or diagonal choices). Each column includes a FREE SPACE, which you may also use. Please utilize three or more squares in the column of your choice. (more details on blog)

In this case, I have chosen the "B" column.

Tags (in the upper right of my card)

Dots (in the background papers)

Green (papers are pine needle green)

Stamped Image (House Mouse & Hero Arts)

and I even can say "free" because I've used some other "stuff" on the card (giggle)

Remember, you only have to use 3 squares in one column, and FREE can be one of your choices!

Colored with Copic Markers, this darling House Mouse stamp is now retired. Fortunately, I had stamped a few from a friend several years ago.  

The sentiment is stamped in Rain Forest VersaFine Clair and heat set with clear detail embossing powder. 

The House Mouse line is one I never tire of coloring. 

How about you? Do you have certain favorite stamps or stamp lines that you enjoy? Or do you find yourself going through cycles of certain styles and techniques?

I tried balancing the gold glossy die cut with the brass bell in the image:

Come on over and show us what you can do with the bingo card at Christmas BINGO Challenges.

Products: Stamps: Stampendous House Mouse Frosting Gingerbread Man from 1997 (it's long been retired),  Hero Arts Clear set CL722, Green Digital Paper by LianaScrap (free, thank you), Dies: Tonic Mixed Edge Rectangle set, Surprise Creations Double Stitch Tags die set, Tutti-123 Arched Fir Branch die, Memory Box Precious Gingerbread Men Inks: Rain Forest VersaFine Clair, Oxides in Pine Needles and Lucky Clover, Copic Markers, Clear Detail Embossing Powder 

Challenges I would like to play in please:

1. Outlawz Twisted Thursday AG with theme COLOR IT (colored with Rain Forest VersaFine Clair, Oxides in Pine Needles and Lucky Clover, Copic Markers) 5/4 (3 of 5 allowed entries)
2. Worldwide Crafters and Colorists Challenge #4 AG (entry 3 of 3) 5/12
3. My Favorite Things Christmas Challenge (April 20) ends May 17
4. House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge (5/1) AG HM ends May 13
5. Classic Design Challenge #5 AG 6/1
6. A Perfect Time to Craft #5 AG (check 7/1)
7. Girlz Creative Christmas Challenge #18 Everything Goes 5/6
8. Peace on Earth Christmas Challenge #38 AG option mood board 5/4 (D&D - I hope I understood the challenge properly) 
9. Christmas With The Cuties #69 Something Hand Colored ends May 14 check 5/29
10. Critter Crazy Challenges #74 FEATURE a critter 6/1
11. Merry Little Christmas Challenge Blog #50 AG Christmas 6/15

Stamping Hugs,

Chillin' with my Snowmies - Jan's Digi Stamps

 I may be chillin' but not with my snowmies! I feel for all of you in the areas where several feet of snow has changed EVERYTHING in your worlds! Hoping your homes are unharmed, and that you are snug and safe.

This darling little snowman set is the cutest ever! I couldn't stop coloring Jan's "SNOWMIES" because they made me happy! The Merry Christmas sign affords a break in the snowmies' bodies, so they can either wear a sweatshirt or be "au naturale"! LOL

 Today's cards are for the mid-month reminder of November's Anything Goes Challenge at Jan's Digi Stamps!  If you use a JDS image in your card, please mention it. There is a 2nd draw specifically for those who use one of Jan's fun images.

Snowmies is debuting at $3.75 instead of its regular $5 price. There are 3 charming black-and-white images, 3 beautifully colored images, and 3 fun sentiments in this set.

December's Sale includes all 50 of Jan's Holiday Stamps. Be sure to take advantage of her beautiful 2022 freebie Ornaments 2022!

While there are many fun frame dies on the market, I used one sweet scalloped rectangle die for the outside, and then a different shaped die for the inside, to create these frames:

Also on these cards, I used a freebie "font" called Freebie Font WWFlakes. Instead of an alphabet, you get some 30 different snowflakes which can be made itty-bitty or as large as your font numbers will take you, in order to create all kinds of fun accessories for your winter scenes.

SOME QUESTIONS FOR YOU:

While some of my stamping friends industriously make several of the same design, I'm unable to make duplicate cards without it becoming a tedious chore. Do you find that to be the case? Or are you able to make lots of the same card? These are all utilizing the same sketch, so I think that counts. My other crafting deficiency is that I forget EVERY-SINGLE-TIME to set out my papers, embellies, colors PRIOR to coloring, so then I spend a lot of time trying to mix and match after the images are colored. Are you organized and efficient? Or do you fall into my category of trying to find things that look good together after the images are colored?

My only planning was in making glittery frames and using stencils LOL

Since several companies are featuring "flocking, fluff, and fuzzy stuff" again, I got out my Flocking that contains glitter, and put it on two outfits for these cuties.

BF (before fuzziness) giggle:

(psst! the heart brad was heated and dipped into embossing powder that contained glitter)

AFU (after fuzzy'ing up!) more giggles:

(both red and white were used on this card)

Debuting next we have non-traditional in purple and pink fashion statements:

Finally

We have the red-green outfits. And NOOOOOOOOO, these snowmies are NOT sitting on grass. It is FANTASY SNOW to coordinate with their attire, in case you couldn't guess (more giggles):

I hope you enjoyed this rainbow of snowmies. "We" (Snowmies and Myself) were greatly entertained in selecting our fashion colors! Don't forget to play in the Challenge!

Products Used: Stamps  Jan's Digi Images: Chillin' with my Snowmies,  Freebie Font WWFlakes (for the snowflakes), SU En Francais bkgrnd stamp, IO CAC Screen, Dies: SB Labels 23, SB Wonky Rectangles, IO border die #18V, Tonic Mixed Edge Rectangles, MS Starlight Punch, MS Lace Punch, MS Heart Punch, Other: Express-it cardstock, Alcohol Markers (Copics, CopicMultiliner, PrismaColor), Glitter cardstock, assorted stencils, assorted Distress & Oxide inks, VersaFine Clair, Flocking, embossing powder.

I'd like to play in the following Challenges please:

1. World Wide Open Design Team Challenge #11 AG DT 12/15
2. Pammie's Inkie Pinkies #2247 AG 11/28
3. Crafty Catz #614 Christmas 11/23
4. A Perfect Time to Craft Open Challenge #11 AG 12/1
5. Classic Design Challenge #11 AG 12/1
6. Crafty Friends Challenge #161 Christmas 11/28 
7. CD Sunday Plus Challenge #97 AG using downloadable products ( I used digital stamp with a font that makes snowflakes) 12/1

Stamping Hugs,

Autumn Leaves - Jan's Digi Stamps

 Autumn Leaves are Falling - something we don't see here in central Florida! 

Hello, my friends! Hoping you are doing well, and that Mother Nature is treating you nicely with her weather and delights. Today I'm GUEST DESIGNING for Jan's Digi Stamps ! It is the kick-off for the Anything Goes Challenge at Jan's Digi Stamps! If you use a JDS image in your card, please mention it in your upload. There is a 2nd draw for those who use one of Jan's fun images.

Today's card features two of Jan's beautifully pre-colored images (with some gray/brown Copic Marker highlights  on my end).

The Autumn Leaves #4010 digi set is brand new, and works hand-in-hand with Jan's other sets, like the Pumpkin Blessings #3455J below. IT IS ALSO ON SALE RIGHT NOW 25% OFF. The digital image was increased in size and only two-thirds of the image was used, with an "off the card" style technique - both the digi stamp and die cuts were used in this manner. 

I arranged the flowers from Pumpkin Blessings #3455J at the base of the basket, next to the popped up sentiment, distressed with Aged Mahogany DI. The background is a pretty basket weave embossing folder, highlighted with Aged Mahogany. The wrap-around grosgrain ribbon is a nice addition for the lucky recipient. It's like unwrapping a present, especially with the interior decorated with items from both sets:

 This month's sale has 17 Fall themed specials UP TO 50% OFF including new sets Autumn Leaves 4010 ($3), Mrs. Teddy Bear 3595 ($3) and From the Farm 3555 ($3.75)

Pumpkin Blessings #3455J

Products: Images from Jan's Digi Stamps: Autumn Leaves #4010J, Pumpkin Blessings #3455J, Craft Essential Basket Weave Embossing Folder EFOB0010, Tonic Twisting Veranda Diet Set, Sue Wilson Double Pierced Circles CED5517die set, Mahogany Distress Ink, Grey Tones Copics, Grosgrain Ribbon

I'd like to play in the following Challenges please:

1. World Wide Open Design Team Challenge #8 AG DT 9/15
2. Pammie's Inkie Pinkies #2236 AG 9/5
3. A Perfect Time to Craft Open Challenge #9 AG 10/1
4. Classic Design Challenge #9 AG 10/1
5. Dies R Us Challenges #200 AG DRU dies 9/15 (congratulations on 200th challenge. I will miss you!) {Tonic Twisting Veranda Diet Set, Sue Wilson Double Pierced Circles CED5517die set}
6. Moving Along With the Times #146 Trees and/or Leaves 10/1
7. Get Creative Challenges #115 Fall/Autumn 10/3 (top 3)
8. The Four Seasons Challenge (Sept 1) inspiration board shown below 9/25

Wishing you good health and joy in the small things!

stamping hugs,

Lavinia World - Every Dream Starts With A Wish

Welcome, everyone, and a special shout out to my newest follower Corry!

I hope this finds you well and appreciating the smallest of magical moments.
Those precious moments usually appear where we least expect them!

It is time for a new
Lavinia World Challenge!

Details of our Lavinia World Challenge: A Winner receives

a $15 gift certificate to the Lavinia World store. Submissions can be placed either on our Lavinia World Challenge blog which has an ANYTHING GOES theme using ANY brand clear or rubber stamp - no digitals. Or you may play in our friendly Facebook Group called Anything Lavinia if using ANY Lavinia Product in your creation. Either way, we enjoy seeing your artwork!

Store -- Facebook -- Challenge -- Instagram

Today's story 

revolves around the fairy who is picking up the pieces of a bloomed out flower. Like we all do, she is dreaming of the new beginnings at the same time that "things" appear to be falling apart. 

It's a simple card using Love as the catalyst.
This Love is represented by our heart-felt endeavors.
Green represents the promise of new growth.


White Glittered paper holds the recessed delicate heart frame. Bright Meadow Green Glitter is on the scallop heart frame. The Fairytale LAV389 image is stamped with Verdant VersaFine Clair and heat set with clear EP. Every Dream LAV573 was stamped with Rain Forest Versafine Clair and heat set with clear EP that has glitter in it:

Dimension and Embossing Powder - clear EP on the fairy, and clear EP that has glitter on the words. The Green glittered frame around the outside of the card is popped up with a die cut green fun foam piece:

Glittery Wings pick up the colors in the journal-style sentiments:

If you play in our Challenge BLOG, you may participate using any brand of stamp, as long as it is clear or rubber - not digital.
So let's see your beauties!

Products Used:

• Lavinia World Fairytale LAV389
• Lavinia World Every Dream LAV573
• Lavinia World Verdant VersaFine Clair
• Lavinia World Rain Forest Versafine Clair
• Mowed Lawn Distress Ink
• Embossing Powders: Clear with Glitter and Clear Detail
• Glitters: Green Opaque, Dark Salmon Opaque, Pale Semi-Transparent Salmon
• Dies: Tonic Studios Lovely Arch Squares Die Set, QuicKutz Lifestyle Nesting Hearts and Nesting Scallop Hearts,
• Paper: SU Shimmer (I don't see the shimmer though), Green, Salmon, SSS White Glitter cardstock (for heart frame).
• Green Fun Foam to pop up the green frame and heart.

I am submitting this card to The Fairy and The Unicorn Challenge 1/29

Wishing you a great day!

Lavinia World - Let Your Spirit Take Flight 2020

It's a brand new year, and a brand new decade! I'm looking forward to my new journey in 2020 which involves many changes.
It is my greatest wish that 2020 is promising for you as well,
and that good health and love meet you in your endeavors.

Today's FAIRY STORY:

Appropriate to my New Years Promises,
these scenes reveal the act of letting go of the old ways (of being-ness), and grasping new ways as our spirits take flight!

Wanna come fly with me?

And now you know it is time for a new
Lavinia World Challenge!

Details of our Lavinia World Challenge: A Winner receives

a $15 gift certificate to the Lavinia World store. Submissions can be placed either on our Lavinia World Challenge blog which has an ANYTHING GOES theme using ANY brand clear or rubber stamp - no digitals. Or you may play in our friendly Facebook Group called Anything Lavinia if using ANY Lavinia Product in your creation. Either way, we enjoy seeing your artwork!

Store -- Facebook -- Challenge -- Instagram

Today's story revolves around Josie Fairy who is setting herself free from old impositions and thoughts.

By The Way - these cards were planned as Clean and Simple - HA! 
Foiled again!

First, we need to create a scene. this involved cutting the sentiment into three pieces. Now it can be used in different ways:

The images were inked up with Medieval Blue VersaFine Clair and heat set with white detail embossing powder. A before and after is shown below where Faded Jeans Oxide was applied to the background stamp using a blending tool to make the edges softer:

Boo-Boo Time!

Not caring for the soft color, I decided to use something darker, and forgot to use with the applicator - so YOU GUESSED IT - it came out with the square edge showing! I learned for the other two cards. Ink the background up, and then use the applicator to soften the edges:

I also wanted the fairies to have more dimension. Using a finger dauber and the same ink colors but with Distress Ink only, the images were highlighted:

It really does make a difference. While it may appear to be too dark, it looks pretty after the backgrounds are stamped:

The sentiment is naturally distressed with "fairy dust" (those are not embossing powder messes - giggle). Because I wanted the details of Josie's wings to show, a Sakura Quickie Glue Pen was used to adhere transparent pink glitter to them. The pen was also used to make dots on the dark leaves of the floral spray with the same pink glitter. The little "spirit" taking flight is also highlighted with pink glitter:

The next card does not have the images highlighted with ink, so there is not the same dimension. This one has a blue frame. My die-cutting errors are covered up with a floral spray - no one can see the mistake:



Her wings were "painted" with glue instead of the glue pen, so the glitter is heavier and masks some of the image detail. Other elements are glittered, too, because who can pass up glitter? More is DEFINITELY more here. While you can see that "rigid" straight line, you likely would not have noticed it had I not mentioned it as a boo-boo in the beginning:

This one is my favorite with those amazing pink leaves and darker halo around the images. The photography is a little funky (dark) but it is a lovely card:

If you are making a card that has a rubber or clear stamp on it, please upload it to the BLOG Challenge site for a great opportunity to win a gift card to the store! The members in our Anything Lavinia Facebook Group are very helpful and supportive, so check it out for more ideas.

Thanks for stopping by!

Products:

• Lavinia World Let Your Spirit Take Flight LAV523
• Lavinia World Josie Fairy LAV491
• Lavinia World Background Script LAV372
• Lavinia World Faerie Spells LAV582
• Inks: Medieval Blue VersaFine Clair, Faded Jeans Distress Ink, Weathered Wood Distress, Faded Jeans Oxide, Chipped Sapphire Oxide
• Dies: Tonic Greek Temple Layering Die Set, SB Bitty Blossoms (blue frame), Memory Box Chloe Stem (blue frame), Spellbinders Foliage Shapeabilies (blue frame), Spellbinders Leaves So Very Gorgeous (white frame pink leaves), Cottage Cutz Greenery 4x4 (blue leaves)
• Other: White Detail Embossing Powder, Bubblegum Pink Glitter, Clear Glitter, Lavender-Blue cardstock, white cardstock

Challenges I'd like to support please:

1. **NEW**Classic DT Open Challenge was hacked so the DT created a new Challenge blog called Classic Design Challenge. With the new blog, the team has decided to make it Open to ALL CRAFTERS, not just design team members (lucky for me since it is one of my favorite challenges, and I am resigning from all but one DT next month). The new Challenge has the same wonderful designers, the same caring recognition of crafters, and same talented inspiration. Please visit them and become their follower so we can return the favor for their hard work.  Challenge #1 Anything Goes 2/1
2. ScrapyLand #129 AG using SL dies (please see my list of dies above) 1/14
3. A Bit More Time to Craft #107 Anything Goes 1/15
4. Dies R Us #136 AG using DRU dies (please see my list of dies above) 1/15

Fairy Hugs,