Christmas at Sweet Stampin' - Lacy Snowflake

It's me! I'm back! (giggle)
Welcome to my little blog - Today's Christmas cards are fraternal twins!
One has the snowflake centered, and the other is to the right. 

Today begins a new challenge at

Christmas at Sweet Stampin'!

My marvelously brilliant teammates have fantastic samples to share! We hope to see your imaginative artwork each month in our "Anything Goes Christmas" Challenges. The challenge is for ANY Christmas theme craft project. January's Challenge is open until March 12.

This month I'm playing with my virginal Spellbinders Curved Borders Two die set. This die has been in my stash for years, and never used. How could this happen? (giggle). Looks cute in this 4.5" x 6.75" card - resembles a tag.

Also virginal and being featured is Really Reasonable Ribbon Hunter Green Glitter Ribbon. I promise you it is very sparkly and blindingly so! (more giggles - sorry I can't stop) It's a double loop bow.
Speaking of loopy... someone make me stop giggling!

So which are you?
A person who prefers asymmetrical art?
Or someone who prefers everything to be symmetrical?

I prefer the right card, my husband prefers the centered card.
Of course, you may not prefer either of them! haha

Though it looks nothing like the inspirational card on My Stampin' Memories Blog, my creation is a knock off of her pretty card. 

Interior:
The sentiment was stamped with Nocturne VersaFine Clair, coated with Sparkle Embossing Powder, and heat set. It also has lots of sparkle.

Products Used:

Wild Rose Studios - Lacy Snowflake Die
SU Flurry of Wishes stamp set

Spellbinders - Curved Borders Two Die Set
Really Reasonable Ribbon Hunter Green Glitter Ribbon

Super Thick Embossing Powder White

White Detail Embossing Powder
Sparkle Embossing Powder

Pine Needles Distress Ink, VersaMark Ink, Nocturne VersaFine Clair
(for an additional 10% off products, use code DonnaDT10 at checkout)


Thanks for stopping by, and be sure to make an Anything Goes Christmas Project and upload it to our challenge at

Christmas at Sweet Stampin'!

Challenges I'd like to support please:

1. Atlantic Hearts Challenge #303 (see graphic) T3 2/16
2. Crafty Calendar Challenge (Feb 2) Add Texture and Ribbon - Thick White EP, Glittered Ribbon, detail white EP, dry embossed die cuts 3/2 sep post
3. Crafty Hazel Nut's Christmas #424 AG Christmas 2/15
4. Kerst-Christmas (Feb) AG Christmas 3/1
5. Merry Little Christmas Challenge #7 AG Christmas 3/1 sep post
6. Scrapy Land Challenges #107 AG SL dies (Wild Rose Studio and Spellbinders) (2/20 sep post)
7. The Holly and Ivy Christmas Challenge #44 AG Christmas 3/3 sep post (C15)
8. Winter Wonderland Tribute to Eileen (Feb 1) AG Christmas Tribute to Eileen 3/1 (sep post)
9. Crafting from the Heart #236 AG 2/16

stamping hugs,

Woofie's Christmas - Moving Along With The Times

Hello, friends! So glad you could visit today.
Christmas cards, of course, with an unusual seasonal greeting.
It's always fun seeing how different an image looks with a simple change in colors.

It's time to share a Project for the new Moving Along With The Times Challenge!

Challenge #84's theme is WINTER ANIMALS - for the next 2 weeks just make sure your project has winter themed animals on it and upload!

My card features the adorable Mr. Woofie, excited to enjoy his first snowfall -- after all, he IS a Florida Puppy, just visiting relatives for the Christmas holidays. (giggle)

Mr. Woofie has been colored in four shades, die cut, and coordinated with SNS Microfine glitters. These glitters are velvety smooth, and don't cover up the intricate details of the die cuts:



In the next step, I applied the frames to sticker paper:

After putting a coffee filter under the exposed panel, I applied a little glitter:


Thoroughly burnish in the glitter:


Do the same thing with each image:


Adhere the glittered panels to a white card base and select a sentiment:



Stamped with Versafine Clair Ink, clear detail embossing powder was then applied to the sentiments and heat set:



Magenta - Orchid Rose GM2016 and Purple Delight VersaFine Clair Ink:



Marine Blue GM2049 and Blue Belle VersaFine Clair Ink

Gecko Green GM2045 and Green Oasis VersaFine Clair Ink:

Day Dreamin' GM2052 and Chianti VersaFine Clair Ink:

Close Up of the images:
The sentiments were each stamped in a different color VersaFine Clair, and heat set with Clear Detail EP280. I began collecting these inks in March, and dearly enjoy them. I want to purchase the remaining 6 colors LOL - they capture the detail of a stamp wonderfully, and are easy to emboss with.

Products Used:

• Image: Woofie's Christmas Rubber Stamp 468, also available digitally and Eskimo Kisses 788 (sentiment), also available digitally.
• Papers: Neenah Solar White, White
• Adhesives: Sticker Paper, Nuvo Deluxe Adhesive with fine tip, Dimensionals
• Microfine Glitters: Marine Blue GM2049, Orchid Rose GM2016, Day Dreamin' GM2052, Gecko Green GM2045, Teal Velveteen GM2017
• Embossing Powder: Clear Detail EP280
• Inks: VersaFine Clair in the following colors - Blue Belle, Green Oasis, Purple Delight, Chianti, and Memento Sweet Plum, Memento Paris Dusk
• Others: Copic and PrismaColor Markers, MS snowflake punch
• Dies: Wild Rose Studios "Rose Frame",  3 Sue Wilson Double Pierced Rectangles dies

Challenges I'm Supporting with these cards:

1. Dream Valley Challenges #190 "Use Dies and Punches" (punch MS Snowflake, dies Wild Rose Studios Rose Frame and 3 SW Double Pierced Rectangles) 11/21 (sep post) C10
2.  Paper Craft Challenges #24 "Friendship" 11/21(sentiment "friends warm the heart")
3. RetroRubber Challenge #99 Anything Goes (my rubber stamp set is a "virgin" rubber stamp set that is 6 or 7 years old.) 11/17 (sep post) C10
4. Try Stamping on it (Nov 1 Glitter Tech) Use Glitter 11/24 (sep post)
5. Classic DT Open Challenge #11 AG for DT 12/01 (sep post)

Hugs from Florida,

Tweetingly Pretty in Pink {Cardz4Galz}

I'm so glad you're here!

Wishing you a happy day, and hoping you are doing well!

It's time for the 43rd Cardz 4 Galz challenge!

Badges are awarded for the Spotlight Winner and Top Picks.

Challenge #43 is chosen by teamie Helen -and the theme is:  Pretty in Pink.

Show us your cards using lots of pink in any way! 
Challenge ends on March 29.

My "flat" 6"x6" card is flat, suitable for less expensive mailing. 

I wanted to pile on the flowers, layers and pearls, but restrained myself! (giggle)

This adorable bird image has lain virginal for years.
3 years?
5 years?
more?

It's been a long time coming to use this pretty.

HOW LONG?
Much, MUCH MORE than (one year) to play in the Retro Rubber Challenge.

It's even extinct at Overstock.com.  (hanging head in shame)

Can you believe how neglectful a mom I am? I just had to have this darling image,
only to bring it home, display it, and leave it unused.
So many of my stamps remain uninked, crying out for attention.

The IO bird cage is cut from sage card stock,
heat embossed with Silver Pearl embossing powder,
to give it a lustrous,
metallic,
pearly
appearance.

The Powder is semi-transparent
to allow the green tones of the cardstock
to show through the luster.

Silver Pearl embossing powder
can be used much like clear embossing powders
because it is nearly transparent,
but has a
pearly,
metallic
finish.

A little stitching for the pearly vellum semi-circle on the left side of the card can be seen through the bird cage.

Some pretty pearl daisies for the top and bottom of the tags on the card, gift from sweet friend Paula:

Finally, everyone deserves a little wine, right?

In this case, how about
Sangria Star embossing powder?

I personally like the entire SNS Tuscany line because they are detail powders that provide great coverage.

The glitteriness of these EPs is fantastic, and you would think it is straight glitter without any EP.

I wanted a little variance in the hues of the SW leaves, and the EP provides a little sparkle and darkness, keeping the color the same.

Below is my little story about

THIS

PINK

BIRD.

On A Personal Note:

and for the March Path of Positivity Challenge

The Story Goes...

 Once upon a time, there was an extremely talented song bird! Her music lulled all the forest creatures to sleep at night, and awakened them with happy, melodious, cheering tunes in the morning, so everyone could rise in good spirits, and go about their daily duties in gratitude.

Alas,

our little bird was not completely fulfilled at heart. 

Instead of being grateful for the love she gave and received, 

she suffered from a long-held disappointment. 

She has always wanted to be pink!

Imagine wanting to be pink, molting your feathers time and again, only to be found some OTHER seemingly drab color, without fully embracing and accepting her life as it was.

Nevertheless, our heroine persisted, and visited her local hair salon. She had the color works, including a body wave for her wings! Gotta love the stamina of this little lady.

She submitted to many unpleasant procedures trying to realize her dream. In the end, she was delighted with her appearance, which caused her to sing all the more beautifully, much to her friends' delight.

Our moral to the story is slightly different than usual. 

In this case, her friends helped her "keep her PINK ON!" They had always wanted to give a gift to her in return for what she had lavished upon her community, but she had never been completely honest and forthcoming about her true self.

In this case, everyone lived happily ever after, and learned to share openly their needs, desires and happinesses - all in the spirit of love, friendship and gratitude. The newly-pink bird and her friends learned that when we appreciate ourselves and one another, and become aware of who we truly are, that we can be fulfilled and follow our dreams more completely.

Speaking completely from a self-centered point of view:

Without going into any personal details, that is TRULY the way I feel about my internet friends. 

You are my strongest encouragers, sincerest cheerleaders, dearest heart-to-heart buddies and understanding comrades.

Without knowing it, you help me over many a hurdle, and appreciate me for who I am, despite my "disabilities" and flaws. Since I am a home-bound individual, your unexpected kindnesses have been a source of great awakening, and much of my personal growth! 

Thank you for helping me keep my pink on!

(I hope I do the same in return, singing a pretty song!)

Fellow Blogger Lis had more surgery on her injured leg. This has been an ongoing battle for her, and I admire her stamina and persistence in seeking healing and remaining active.

So here is a photo of my little Pink Bird of Cheer to Lis:

The sentiments are stamped in two colors of ink (gray and black).

But they are from the pansies same Pansies Set:

It is always a pleasure seeing your artful treasures,

so please come play with us at
Cardz 4 Galz

Products Used:

• Sparkle N Sprinkle: Sangria Star Embossing Powder (leaves), Silver Pearl embossing powder (bird cage)
• tag: Sparkle N Sprinkle: sentiments from Pansies Set 1 (you can also get these sentiments on a fabulous digital bundle, or on a mini digital set
• card: Inkadinkadoo bird on branch stamp, SU sentiment
• Dies:
• Impression Obsession DIE020 bird cage
• Sue Wilson - Pierced Circles (on left), Faux Quilled Leaves
• Wild Rose Studios - Gilded Tag
• Poppy Stamps - Main Street Tags
• Poppy Stamps - Festival Tags

Challenges I'd like to support:

1. 613 Avenue Create - March "Anything Goes with Option: Use Rubber Stamp (used 4 rubber stamps) 4/8
2. A Bit More Time to Craft - #40 Anything Goes 4/1
3. A Perfect Time to Craft Open Challenge #3 Anything Goes 4/1
4. Come and Get It Challenge - (March 12) Things With Wings 3/19
5. Get Creative Challenges #56 Use Favorite Color Combo (pink and green) 4/3
6. Love to Scrap #95 Anything Goes 4/1
7. Pammie's Inky Pinkies Challenge #1711 Anything Goes 3/20
8. Path of Positivity March - Inspirational Post / Optional theme: Birth of New Beginnings (my little bird story explains how "new beginnings" can be an awareness of who we already are, and following our dreams to become everything we want to be) 4/2
9. Retro Rubber Challenges - "Anything Goes with Old Rubber" (blurb written above) 3/26
10. Stamping Sensations (March) "Close To Nature" 4/2

Thanks for stopping by today!

hugs,

Pockets and Tags

Welcome, Beloved Blogging Buddies! That's BBB for short! Thanks for visiting today. 

I hope those in the southern hemisphere are staying warm,

and those in northern hemisphere are staying cool.

We only have one river at flood stage now, still have had intermittent power outages,

but the storms are nothing more than nuisance for us at our home. 

Sure wish we could share our rain with those who need it!

The Challenge this month at Scrapy Land is to create 

a pocket of some sort with a tag. 
To enter the challenge follow the theme and use any die brand that Scrapy Land sells.

My creation accommodates the new Spellbinders Diamondessence die cut set.

AND... 

    Scrapy Land has a new Pinterest Account! 

            Just click this button to visit it!

(Scrapy Land dies shown below with their links)

• Spellbinders Diamondessence (diamond shaped decorative round layers), 
• Spellbinders Classic/Petite Circles, 
• Sue Wilson Italian Collection Decorative Frames (ornate round on back), 
• Wild Rose Snow Frame

The large Diamondessence circle is 4.5" in diameter, 

and easily slides in and out of the pocket with room to spare.

Two of the smaller Diamondessence circles cover the seam

and feature the Stampin Up! sentiment.

Nana Connie's blog inspired me to use some Bugaboo images.

This adorable little Winter's Fairy is happy and festive! 

The sides of the pocket are folded like a gate-fold card. 

Only the bottom of the pocket requires adhesive.

The back of the tag sports a Sue Wilson Italian Collection Decorative Frames. 

(Love LOVE this set! Fun, Beautiful and Versatile!)

Wanna be a...

If you'd like to be a guest designer for Scrapy Land, then follow these simple steps (no previous design team experience required):

1. Participate in both of the August challenges, following the challenge rules.
2.  Add GDT after your name on the thumbnail photo you submit for the challenge. 
3. You must have a Blog and a Facebook account (We have a private FB group and this is how we correspond with one another.)

• This will be for a 3 month term and will begin with the October 7 Challenge #27 and end at the close of the December 16 Challenge #32.

• You will need to participate in both challenges each month, as well as comment on specific challenge entires.  Applicants invited to join the team as a guest designer will be given compensation information at the time of acceptance.

• Applicants invited to join the team will be notified by September 2, 2015 

Products Used:

• Dies: Spellbinders Diamondessence (diamond shaped decorative round layers), Spellbinders Classic/Petite Circles, Sue Wilson Italian Collection Decorative Frames (ornate round on back), Wild Rose Snow Frame
• Stamps: Bugaboo Winter's Fairy digi image, SU sentiments from 2 sets (old)
• Inks: VersaMark Pearl Dazzle, Cloudy Blue dye base ink
• Other: Glitter around Fairy, Copic Markers, pearls, ribbon, embossing folder,

Participating in the following Challenges:

1. Crafty Hazel Nut's Christmas - August - Anything Goes 9/1
2. Sparkles Christmas Challenge #55 "No Designer Papers" 8/30
3. Suzy Bee's Bloomin' Challenge #93 "Monochromatic" 8/21
4. Holly Jolly Christmas #54 Snowflakes and Glitter (snowflake border around the edges of the blue card, Snowflake embossing folder, and glitter around the fairy
5. Paper Take Weekly (Aug 18W) "To Die For" (used several die cuts) 8/24
6. Artistic Inspirations #138 Anything Goes 8/29 
7. Christmas Cards All Year Long Aug - Snowflakes (Snowflake border around the blue card, snowflake embossing folder, and snowflakes on the ribbon) 9/1
8. Hiding in My Craft Room #212d (anniversary challenge!) USE DIE CUTS! 8/22
9. ABC Christmas Challenge (Q is for Quantum) I am using two of your past challenges: D - Die Cuts  AND  E - Edging Punch or Die. I hope you enjoyed how these dies were used as edges!
10. Crafting by Designs (Aug 19) Get Ready for Christmas 8/26

Special Hugs to you!

Spots and Dots Vintage Style {Scrapy Land #10}

Good Morning! (smoochies to you!)

Such a delightful, sweet card to share with you today!

Welcome to my project for the 10th Scrapy Land Challenge! 

The Challenge is open until February 1. 

The theme is "SPOTS AND DOTS using any die manufacturer which Scrapy Land sells" (electronic die cuts do not qualify). Scrapy Land sells over 40 brands of dies, including overseas products, and most are at a great discount.
  plus free shipping over $45!

My card features the following Scrapy Land dies.
(for all the dies used, please see the product list at bottom)

Scrapy Land Cheery Lynn Holly Lace Flourish

Scrapy Land Wild Rose Studio Snow Frame (used inner holly frame)

Scrapy Land Creative Expressions Sue Wilson Holly Accessory Kit

With Spots and Dots, this card is created with lots of "rounds" - even the scallops are round. Big "dots" are featured in the image circle and tear drop circle layer. The Swiss Dot embossing folder worked with the Martha Stewart holly leaf layer. And then some very, very old dotted patterned gold paper.

The adorable Vintage Girl image is from Stampa Rosa J22-1095.

The sentiment image is from Anna Griffin Vintage Seasonal Greetings.

I am in love with the Wild Rose Studio Snow Frame which is actually a 2-frame set. The larger frame is studded with snowflakes. The smaller frame used in this card is clusters of holly leaves and swirls. 

TIP: Create dimension by layering identical die cuts: 

I cut the holly frame several times in two colors of green. The sentiment is set in the frame which has a holly frame in tact, and then another, darker frame, cut in half lengthwise and adhered in the back to create depth and dimension.

The sides of the base panel were created the same way, only the frame was disassembled, so that the 2 long sides were utilized to create a partial frame on either side of the base. This provides visual interest.

The tiny berries are from Scrapy Land Creative Expressions Sue Wilson Holly Accessory Kit - Festive Collection CED3014.

TIP: The berries are brushed with glue, and have UN-heated embossing powder on them (Sparkle N Sprinkle Christmas Fire EP285). This provides a tiny bit of sparkle and lots of velvety texture. Do you have unused colored EP? Consider adhering it with glue and using it as sandy textures on your cards.

The pretty Stampa Rosa image was added to my stash many years ago, but never used, so it is "new".  It's is so pretty!

I can hardly wait to see what Spots and Dots you will make for the challenge!

Products Used:

Scrapy Land Cheery Lynn Holly Lace Flourish
Scrapy Land Wild Rose Studio Snow Frame (used inner holly frame)
Scrapy Land Creative Expressions Sue Wilson Holly Accessory Kit - Festive Collection CED3014
Spellbinders Grand Circles
Spellbinders Grand Scallop Squares
Spellbinders Tear Drop Circles
Spellbinders Petite Circles
Spellbinders Fancy Tags One
Martha Stewart Holly Leaves punch around the page
Ink: Memento Cottage Ivy, Brilliance Gold Galaxy, Distress Antique Linen
Copic Markers W3, R05, R20, R21, E00
Paper: Stampin Up! (green, red, DP) and Neenah Ivory (for image)
Stamps: Stampa Rosa J22-1095 (vintage Christmas girl), Anna Griffin Vintage Seasonal Greetings
Embossing Powder: Sparkle N Sprinkle Christmas Fire EP285 (NOTE: this was NOT heat set - it is glued on to create texture on the berries)
Recollections Flowers, Lace from Stash

Challenges Played in:

1. Die Cut Divas (Jan 1) - Anything Goes with Die Cuts - P1 M (please see list of die cuts above) 2/1
2. Paper Take Weekly Challenge (Jan 20) "Get In Shape" (use 3 or more shapes on your card) 1/26
3. Party Time Tuesdays #194 - Anything Goes - 2/3
4. PDE Linky Party (Jan 20) 3-D Projects 1/25
5. Sweet 7 Designs Challenge #9 Anything New (Several new die cuts, ink colors, and new stamp image - it had never been used before) 2/9
6. Top Tip Tuesday Challenge (Jan 20) Something New and show tips in your blog post (there are two TIPS in my post) (Several new die cuts, ink colors, and new stamp image - it had never been used before) 2/2
7. Christmas Cards All Year Around - (Jan 1) Anything Christmas 1/31
8. Jingle Belles (Jan 16) Bring in the New (use new goodies - Several new die cuts, ink colors, and new stamp image - it had never been used before) 1/28

Stamping Hugs,