Running With Scissors...

One Last Christmas Card

I’ve sent off the last of the Christmas cards and I’ll probably not do anymore stamping till after the holiday, so I’m wrapping things up this week with just one more card.

I brought out my much neglected Tsukineko glue pad for stamping this pretty ornament (JustRite Deck the Halls).  I tapped the stamp into the glue pad until it was well coated then stamped the image onto the die cut circle and sprinkled it with Art Institute glitter.  I was surprised with the quality of the detail.

With an image this finely detailed one little brush of the finger can displace the glitter enough to lose some of that detail, so I sprayed it with a gloss sealer.  Doesn’t matter whether it’s gloss or matte, the sealer does not diminish the sparkle of the glitter.  It’s still possible to brush off a few flakes of glitter, but an accidental touch or simple handling won’t hurt it.  I love how it turned out and wish I’d thought of this earlier in the season.

The white punched branches are coated with Stickles Stardust glitter glue.

I image you all are just as busy as I am so I’ll keep this brief.  I’m at work today but looking forward to some time off to spend with my family, including, of course, Wally and LuLu.  They’ll be popping in to greet you on Christmas Eve.  I wish you a lovely and happy day!

Stamps:  JustRite Deck the Halls  Paper:  Flourishes Classic White  Ink: None  Accessories:  Ribbon, snowflake brad, tiny silver brads, Stampendous Class A’Peel snowflake border stickers, Art Institute glitter, Stickles Stardust glitter glue, Cuttlebug candy cane stripe and snowflake embossing folders, Martha Stewart branch punch, Spellbinders Labels Thirteen S4-248  and Standard Circle dies (cannot remember whether large or small circle set), Scotch brand foam mounting tape

Joy is in the Air

Well, here we are in the countdown week before Christmas and I’m feeling just about ready for a few days off to enjoy the holiday.  I have some presents to wrap and grocery shopping to do, but mostly I’m ready.  How about you?  Might as well keep up the holiday spirit and share the last of my Christmas cards this week.

 

Today’s card was made for a friend who loves Santas and glitter.  I’ve used Flourishes’ Joy is in the Air.  It’s a snow globe set, but the three images that come with the snow globe can easily be used on their own, too.  I wanted to add a lot of snow and glitter so I used this image alone.  The sentiment is from another of Flourishes’ 2011 Christmas sets – Sentimental Christmas (sentiments only).  The coloring was done with Copic markers.

Spellbinders dies used are:

• Labels Twenty S5-026
• Labels Twenty Two S4-346
• Classic Ovals Small S4-112
• Classic Ovals Large S4-110

More ingredients are listed in the recipe.  Have a jolly holiday!

Stamps:  Joy is in the Air, Sentimental Christmas  Paper:  Flourishes Classic Ivory, red mirror cardstock, Cosmo Cricket Jolly by Golly designer paper  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Riding Hood Red, Copics for coloring  Accessories:  Ribbon, rhinestones, Stickles Stardust glitter glue, Sparkly Fluff (snow), Stampin' Up! small tag punch, Scotch brand foam mounting tape, Spellbinders dies as listed above

Two For Christmas

I chose to play with my JustRite Deck the Halls set this weekend and (hooray!) got two more Christmas cards done.  The first is all copper, gold, and ivory…

I’ve used copper and gold brushed metallic cardstock.  The ribbon has gold thread running through it, and I’ve added gold thread across the middle panel.  Goldenrod Stickles glitter glue dot the ornament, and the center oval is brushed with Encore Metallic Gold ink after embossing with the Cuttlebug Textile embossing folder.

The ornament, itself, is colored with Copic markers on shimmery ivory cardstock – not the best paper for blending, but, frankly, I just wanted to try it.

Spellbinders dies used are:

• Twisted Metal Tags and Accents S5-071
• Classic Ovals Large S4-110

The next card is a switch to white and red with little touches of silver…

I worried that it might look top heavy and almost cut it apart for a square card but decided I lacked the luxury of time.  The ornament is topped with glittered branches and a snowflake embellishment.  The sentiment is from the JustRite Christmas Nested Sentiments set which, I believe, is retired.

Spellbinders dies used are:

• Ironwork Accents S5-058
• Labels Thirteen S4-248

Have I mentioned how much I love my Spellbinders?  Playing with the layering is one of my favorite stamp room activities.

Thanks so much for visiting today.  Happy holidays!

BaZooples

I thought I’d start out the week with something cheerful, but first I should offer some explanation for why I didn’t share additional Wally and LuLu photos on Sunday as I’d mentioned I would.  The fact is, the day came to an end and I’d forgotten to schedule the post.  Too much on my mind and too little sleep, I guess.  I’ll save it for next Saturday.  Long story short, Wally ate something he shouldn’t have (fatty food – he doesn’t tolerate it and he didn’t get it from us, grrrrr) and now he’s suffering.  Saturday night he woke me up every hour – no exaggeration – so he could go outside and relieve himself.  I don’t think he slept much in between, nor did I.  As I write this Sunday night, I fully expect another sleepless night facing a 6:00 am alarm for work in the morning.  However, Wally and I will be visiting the vet, and work will have to get along without me for a while.  Don’t worry, I’m keeping an eye on our Wally.

Now, the card:

Does it look like fun?  You’re darn tootin’ it was!  I bought these Inky Antics Holiday BaZooples sets #1 and #2 for Christmas cards this year.  This is Set #2.  I’d better get crackin’ if I’m going to finish them.  I made two identical cards with this image – a good start.  I’ve got three more images to work with.  I like this one because it reminds me of Wally and LuLu.  I colored with Copic markers using these colors:

I forgot to include the blue markers which I used for shading around the giraffe.  Those were B00 and B0000 with the edges further softened with the Colorless Blender.

I made the snowflake with Spellbinders Snowflake Wonder Shapeabilities (retired?).  I pressed each layer into my Tsukineko glue pad and sprinkled with glitter for ultra sparkle.

I’ll be seeing you again in a day or two.  Have a happy week!

Stamps:  Inky Antics Holiday BaZooples #2  Cardstock:   Real Red and Green Galore Stampin’ Up! cardstock, Flourishes Classic White cardstock, BasicGrey June Bug designer paper  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black  Accessories:  American Crafts ribbon, gold rhinestone brad, Martha Stewart edge punch, Spellbinders Snowflake Wonder Shapeabilities

Christmas Candles

I managed to finish up another quickie Christmas card over the weekend.  Without a lot of layering and trims it came together in no time and will be an easy mailer. 

I used my Christmas Candles set from Flourishes.  The image is colored with Copic markers on Classic White cardstock.  I went with traditional colors and subtly patterned designer paper (Memory Box Yuletide).  With enough glitter you don’t have to be too particular about the coloring.  I slathered on the Goldenrod and Stardust Stickles glitter glue.

I keep picturing this wrapped in ribbon with a big, beautiful bow draping the upper corner, but then I’d have to consider the postage.  Maybe next time.  Have a happy day!

A Little Sparkle for the Holidays

Hello!  It’s been a while, I know.  I found it easier to set the computer aside and concentrate my attention on LuLu’s training.  Just like Wally was, she’s an amazingly good puppy.  She hasn’t torn anything up yet, she listens when I speak, sits when I tell her to.  She’ll potty when I tell her to, also, but, believe me, I’d better be there when she runs for the door.  Bladder control is not one of her strong points yet.

Stamping happens when she sleeps or right after a potty break.  I took advantage of that one afternoon and made another Christmas card for my meager collection.

I used Flourishes’ Holiday Sparkle.  Five stamps from the set on one card made me feel as though I’d given it a good run.  It would be lovely to think I might play with it some more before the cards go in the mail, but I’m makin’ a list and checkin’ it twice to be sure I give all my new sets a chance.  By the way, the sentiment is in one of the new Tailor-Made for Flourishes dies by Spellbinders – Classic Keyhole Die Set.  It was just the right fit for the sentiment, and though I don’t yet have the gorgeous companion stamp set, I know I’ll find plenty of uses for the dies.

I colored the icicle ornament, bow, and evergreen bough with these Copic markers:

I applied Stardust Stickles glitter glue to the icicle, Frosted Lace Stickles to its snowy top and to the evergreen bough, and Platinum Stickles to the cap just under the bow.  The pink snowflakes were embossed with glittery powder which may be more apparent in the next photo -- more so if you click to enlarge it. 

The scene in the following photo is what I like to see when I feel like stamping:

Ahhhh… peace on earth!  Have a happy day!

Stamps:  Holiday Sparkle (Flourishes)  Paper:  Flourishes’ Classic White, Rose Red textured, Memory Box Yuletide designer paper  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, ColorBox pink pigment ink, Rose Red, Copic markers for coloring  Accessories:  Stickles glittler glue as mentioned above  Accessories:  Rhinestones, Martha Stewart edge punch, Flourishes Classic Keyhole Die set by Spellbinders

Christmas Card Progress

I’m crawling forward on my Christmas card production little by little.  I’m not pushing myself to handcraft all my cards this year, but if it happens I’ll be pleased.  I’m more focused on trying to use all the new Christmas stamps I’ve acquired recently because once the season passes I won’t see them again for a year.  There’s no sense kidding myself about starting on Christmas cards in the middle of summer.  It’s just not likely to happen.

So today I’ve brought out one of the sets JustRite released this year.  It’s called Warmest Wishes.

I’ve used Tombow Markers for watercoloring on 90 lb hot press watercolor paper.  A resin brad holds a glittery gold sprig in place – my only embellishment as I was trying to minimize bulk.  The designer papers are from the BasicGrey Jovial collection, but I also worked a little more of my sheet music into the design.  This time I smudged it with Adirondack Sandal ink to tone down the white.

These are the markers I used for coloring:

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.  I’ll catch you back here next week.  Take care!

Stamps:  JustRite Warmest Wishes  Paper:  Red, cream Bazzill textured, 90 lb hot press watercolor, BasicGrey Jovial designer paper, old sheet music  Ink:  Palette Noir, Adirondack Sandal, Tombow Markers for watercoloring  Accessories:  Imaginisce resin brad, gold glitter branch, Spellbinders Labels Eighteen (S4-310), Classic Ovals Small and Large, Scotch brand foam mounting tape

Old World Santa

I’ll be getting started on those Christmas cards in earnest now,  I think.  Today I’ve used a favorite old PSX stamp which I usually only take out of the drawer and look at once in a while.  This time it made it all the way to my stamp table and onto a card.

I colored with Copic Markers on Flourishes Classic Ivory cardstock.  I actually set aside all the markers I used, but there were so many it seemed pointless to simply post a photograph of them.  I tried to minimize the variety of colors in this busy image, using green, red, gold and brown as my main colors with warm grays for his boots, beard, and fur.  I also used the warm grays for subtle shading around the image.  There were many shades of each color used and, consequently, I wound up with more markers than I could hold in one hand.

I thought this large image was another good candidate for embossing with my Grace’s frame Cuttlebug folder.  Once again I colored the inner debossed area.  I used Y21 for that.  To finish, I stamped the greeting on the frame in Always Artichoke ink, and mounted the panel on a Cherry Cobbler card base.

PSX is one stamp company that went out of business.  What a shame.  They had the most beautiful images.  Many of the stamps are considered collector’s items and fetch a pretty penny on Ebay these days.  I wish I’d bought more when the price was right.  However, I do have a large collection of very nice stamps which I plan to dip into a little more often – in between the new stuff, of course.

That’s it for today.  I’ll be back when stamping happens.  Have a very good day!

Stamps:  PSX Santa K-2046, Stampin’ Up! Glad Tidings greeting  Paper:  Cherry Cobbler textured, Flourishes Classic Ivory  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Always Artichoke, many Copic markers for coloring  Accessories:  Cuttlebug Grace’s Frame embossing folder

Very Simple Christmas Cards

I hope you aren’t blinded by the white on these cards.  I was in a mood, I guess.  I sat down one day and made six cards along these lines thinking, “just get a few done and I’ll have time to do some of those warm, colorful cards later”.   Perhaps I won’t send out as many cards this year.  Perhaps I’ll even buy some cards (gasp!).  The only real plan I have this year is to not worry about it.

For both cards I’ve used glossy cardstock, though the gloss doesn’t show in the photos.  It embossed deeply and gave the cards a nice quality finish.  Very clean and simple.

Stamps:  Stampin’ Up! Heard From the Heart  Paper:  Glossy white  Ink:  Cherry Cobbler  Accessories:  Prima Poinsettia Flower, Petals A’Plenty Sizzix embossing folder (Stampin’ Up!)

I added a stamped border and ribbon to the second card.

Stamps:  Hero Arts greeting, Stampin’ Up! All in a Row (retired)  Paper:  Glossy white  Ink:  Cherry Cobbler, Always Artichoke  Accessories:  Ribbon, Prima flower, Sizzix Petals A’Plenty embossing folder (Stampin’ Up!)

I think I’m going to have a very merry Christmas this year, and I hope you will, too.  Take care, and enjoy your weekend!

Christmas in July

 

Here we are in the last week of July already… my, my, my!  Well, we just can’t let it pass without having a little Christmas in July celebration at Flourishes.  From now until July 31st all Flourishes’ Christmas stamps are on sale for 20% off.  No code necessary.  Flourishes will automatically discount the stamps for you.

Have you started your Christmas cards yet?  This one brings me up to a grand total of two.  I’d better get busy!

I’ve used Winter Bouquet, colored with Copics, and layered on these Spellbinders shapes:

• Lacey Squares
• Classic Squares Large
• Labels Sixteen

The sentiment was cut with one of the Ribbon Banners dies.  I curved the stamp ever so slightly for a perfect fit.  One of the things I like best about this set, aside from the gorgeous floral image in two sizes, is the sentiments that come with it.  I’ve used them on many of my Christmas cards, inside and out.  Love that it includes a thank you sentiment, too.

All week, the Flourishes team will take turns sharing Christmas cards.  It’s just me today, but be sure and check the Newsletter to see what’s coming up on the schedule.  Have a great week!

Stamps:  Winter Bouquet  Paper:  Red Bazzill textured, wasabi, Flourishes Classic Ivory, Webster’s Pages Waiting for Santa designer paper  Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Ruby Red  Accessories:  Rhinestones, Spellbinders Lacey Squares, Classic Squares Large, and Labels Sixteen Nestabilities, Spellbinders Ribbon Banners, Scotch brand foam mounting tape (to pop up banner)