12th Night Invite!

Hello everyone!  I hope you had a very merry Christmas!  We're making our way through the 12 days of Christmas on the way to Epiphany, and today I'm here with a totally over-the-top 12th Night card.  

The colors of the Mardi Gras season are purple, gold, and green, and I absolutely love them together!  I used gold embossing powder for the background, sponging over it with bold colors of distress ink, adding a band of sparkling green and purple jewel bling strips and glittery gold washi tape with a giant frou-frou purple bow.  

The admission ticket dangling from the bow features a gold embossed crown with purple jewels.  Beautiful green jewel bling leads the eye from one corner of the design to the other. 

Inside is a bold embossed crown with more purple and green jewels.

While this card is designed for 12th Night, the kick-off of the Mardi Gras season, it would be easily adaptable to practically any holiday or special occasion!  

We're planning to enjoy some King Cake and chicory coffee on the day of Epiphany, January 6th.  I hope you are enjoying an extended holiday celebration, too!  It's nice to make the most of the season since it seems to come and go so quickly!    

Wishing all of the best to you for 2018!

Tea Time Morning Devotion

I have had so much fun playing with the new "Coffee or Tea?" stamps and dies from Stamp Simply.  This set of dies and the coordinating sentiments are so versatile!  Since the cup and handle are separate pieces, you can mix and match for the look of your choosing, and then stamp the perfect sentiment for the coffee or tea lover to go along with your design.

I love stamping for card-making, but I have been dabbling in mixed media.  I recently got a copy of Jesus Calling from one of my Bible study friends and that inspired this tea time morning devotion journal page.  I love the quiet of the early morning when it's just me with my cup and some thought-provoking, heart-stirring scripture.  

Two sheets of beautiful designer paper inspired the colors for the distress ink and texture paste lace background.  Look closely and you can see the gorgeous metallic silver sheet music and sheer vellum swirls of steam rising from the cup.  I added more shine with Silver Shimmer Delicata ink and some splatters of Finetec silver metallic watercolor paint.

Because the background was textured, I opted to stamp verses and a title on some vellum, then die cut around them and attach them with rhinestones to cover the places where the glue was applied.  

The process of making this two page spread was so enjoyable, and I am absolutely delighted with the outcome!  I hope you like it too!

Here are the supplies I used to create them:

• Kaisercraft PS I Love You 6.5x6.5
• Tim Holtz Layering Stencil - Lace
• Dina Wakley Media Gesso
• Faber-Castell Mix & Match Textural Accents Sampler (gel medium)
• Dreamweaver Embossing Paste - Regular White
• Ranger Mini Ink Blending Tool
• Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad - Twisted Citron
• Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad - Broken China
• Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad - Cracked Pistachio
• Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad - Peacock Feathers
• Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad - Wilted Violet
• Stamp Simply Clear Stamps - Combo/Stamp/Die Coffee or Tea?
• Stamp Simply Clear Stamps - Get Well Tulip
• Spellbinders Die - Fancy Framed Tags Two Dies
• Rhinestones - Lilac
• Delicata Non-Tarnishing Ink Pad - Silvery Shimmer
• May Arts Burlap String - 10 yard Bundle
• Wild Rose Studio Poet's Kitchen 6x6
• Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue

May the Lord bless and keep you today and always!  Wishing you and yours the very best for 2018!

Vintage Floral

Eyelet Outlet products form a beautiful focal point for today's card. This pad of designer paper has so many lovely patterns, and the color combination is soft and elegant, so it inspired an elegant vintage layout for this project.

The grey-blue, sage green, kraft, and dark rose pink of the papers are echoed in the vintage washi tape, gold pearl swirl bling, enamel dot flower center, and in the paper flower leaves and petals.  A light sponging of the leaves and flower petals with silver ink helped to mute the colors and match the hazy, softer colors of the flowers in the background.  

Inside, there's another strip of washi tape.  A splattering of Finetec silver metallic watercolor inside and out brings even more sparkle.  

I like having my holidays one at a time, so I'm not completely ready to stamp Valentines just yet since Christmas is not quite here!  This card is a way to make a soft transition from one holiday to the next!

Happy holidays, everyone!  

Star-shaped Gift Boxes

I saw these star-shaped boxes on Pinterest and absolutely loved them!  I am always looking for pretty presentations for gift cards, cash, and small trinket gifts, and so these will be perfect.  The lids and box bottoms are each made from a hexagonal piece of designer paper or card stock which is scored parallel to the edges and then from the intersections of those lines to the points.  

This one is made from Christmas-y papers, a bit of lace and a pocket tag attached with some burlap string.

• Simple Stories Very Merry 6x8
• May Arts 5/8" Crochet Lace - 2 Yard Bundle
• May Arts Burlap String - 10 yard Bundle
• Petaloo Botanica Sugared Minis - Burgundy
• Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue
• Memento Full Size Dye Ink Pad - Rich Cocoa

The shape of the box reminds me of the Star of David, so I wanted to make another one in hues of blue.  

• Simple Stories Winter Wonderland 6x6
• Petaloo Botanica Baby Blooms - White
• May Arts 5/8" Faux Canvas - 3 yard Bundle
• May Arts Burlap String - 10 yard Bundle
• Spellbinders Die - Standard Circles Small SM
• Spellbinders Die - Standard Circles Large LG
• Stamp Simply Clear Stamps - Combo/Stamp/Die Coffee or Tea?
• Rhinestones - Ice Blue
• Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue
• Memento Full Size Dye Ink Pad - Rich Cocoa

Take a peek at the Stamp Simply sales that are happening now!

Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year!  

More Cards Inspired by Music

Music always inspires me!  It's funny, but my brain thinks in lyrics and music nearly as often as it does in words and images. Sometimes I wake up with music and an idea in my head.  Other times, it's like a recording on replay and the idea takes time to soak in and take shape.  

I have two projects today that are both music-inspired, blessed by a bit of serendipity, and definitely influenced by my design teammates and their creativity!  (Did you see Susan's card from yesterday and all of these cool "plumbing" cards?!)

First up is a punny version of "What are you doin' New Year's Eve?" I had deliberately planned to use watercolor paper, paints and distress inks with our pipe brads, but as I was cutting the words, the stamped sentiment happened to assume the shape of a tree.  I looked down and couldn't resist going with the flow (I know, another corny pun, but I had to do it!).  

It made sense to use Clock Washi Tape and Music Note Washi Tape - Mini Notes as part of the background along with a clock stencil, and of course, the tree had to have gold glitter enamel ornaments and be topped with a sparkling Jewel Star Brad.     

Inside, the clock and music motifs repeat, with a watercolored, stamped calendar to save the date!  

My second card practically made itself...the paper clay bells ornament is one that I made way back when I was on the FlowerSoft design team.  From the minute I laid eyes on the Holiday Bell Washi Tape, I knew they would have to play together!  Looks so pretty with EO jewel bling in multi sizes.

I'm sure you're not surprised to see more of my favorite Skinny Washi Tape.   That red is a great match and is simply perfect for the holidays!  

I can't believe Christmas is only 10 days away!  Time is short to squeeze in a few more holiday cards!    Wishing the best to you and yours!  

Tea for Two!

Hi everyone!  I'm here with a tea project for the Coffee (and Tea!) Lovers' Blog Hop and Stamp Simply!  

I *LOVE* coffee but {gasp!} switched to tea several years ago when I went dairy and sugar free.  Yes, it was h.a.r.d. to do!  Now I will indulge in a sweet, (coconut or almond) creamy cup of coffee several times a year, but my daily go-to is Numi green jasmine tea. The loose pearls are my preference, but for today's project I am using tea bags.

Years ago when I first started stamping, these "explosion boxes" were all the rage.  This one is modified to hold two tea bags.  It started with a 9 x 9 inch square of white cardstock, scored tic-tac-toe style at 3 and 6 inches, then trimmed to create the box sides and flaps to hold the tea bags.  

I kept the design of the top simple, and couldn't resist paying winter homage to my love of coffee with a snowman made from three Kaisercraft Latte pearls.

It was fun to play with patterned papers and Stamp Simply's new Coffee or Tea stamp and die set to design a pretty tea cup.  As much as I love (and miss!) coffee, I was really happy to see that this set has tea dies and sentiments, too!  That little "enjoy" sentiment fits just perfectly on the tea bag tag.    

The timing for this release and the hop fit perfectly together too!  Here is our special just for this event!  

Here are the supplies that I used for my project:

• Coredinations Heavyweight Smooth Cardstock - White - 8.5 x 11
• Simple Stories Winter Wonderland 6x6
• Spellbinders Die - Classic Squares Large LG
• Spellbinders Die - Classic Squares Small SM
• Spellbinders Die - Edgeabilities - Classic Scallop
• Spellbinders Die - Standard Circles Large LG
• Spellbinders Die - Standard Circles Small SM
• Stamp Simply Clear Stamps - Combo/Stamp/Die Coffee or Tea?
• Memento Full Size Dye Ink Pad - Rich Cocoa
• Pearls - Latte
• Seam Binding - Fig Beige - 5 yard Bundle
• May Arts Burlap String - 10 yard Bundle
• Prima Serenade - Blue
• Ken Oliver Stick It Die Cut Adhesive Sheets 6x8
• Scrapbook Adhesives-3L 3D Self-adhesive Foam Squares - Mix
• Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue

Stay warm!  Happy holidays!  I hope you'll come back soon for another visit!

Winter Sports Fun!

I had a lot of fun playing with this cute patterned paper, some Eyelet Outlet bling and a few sled brads for this Winter sports fun card.  You can almost imagine these skiers blazing down the hill toward a banner finish!    

It's nice to have a few winter-themed cards on hand that are not necessarily for any particular holiday.  For this card, the focal image is a sparkly snowman who has a sled at-the-ready.  Those little sleds have so much detail!

Some tear drop bling, small rhinestones trimmed from a bling strip, and a beautiful jewel embellish layers of snowflakes.  A strategically placed sled brad adds more color and interest on the front of the card in keeping with the theme.

Inside, a strip of designer paper is framed by some skinny washi tape strips, and the word "sledding" is emphasized by another sled brad.  A single rhinestone brings some sparkle to the stamped sentiment.   

Florida is enjoying its first real blast of Winter this weekend, and the snow and wintry mix may make it as far south as my hometown in southwest Louisiana!  Sure makes it seem especially Christmas-y!

Enjoy your weekend!

Coffee or Tea?

I absolutely LOVE Stamp Simply's newest release, Coffee or Tea? There's a beautiful set of coffee/tea cup dies, and a stamp set of coordinating sentiments.  They all mix and match and are so much fun to work with!

Kaisercraft Christmas Edition paper pad has some lovely enameled designs.  I paired one of those with another from their P.S. I Love You papers to create a ritzy, glitzy card.

With all that was going on in these designer papers, I kept the layout simple but could not resisting adding even more metallic shine and bling!  And for sheer steam curls, I die cut some of the ribbon.  I love their transparent shimmer, which doesn't look nearly as nice in a photograph as it does in real life!

Here are the Stamp Simply Supplies:

• Coffee or Tea?
• Memento Full Size Dye Ink Pad - Tuxedo Black
• Kaisercraft Christmas Edition 6.5x6.5
• Kaisercraft PS I Love You 6.5x6.5
• Bazzill Metallic Cardstock - Matte Silver - 8.5 x 11 - 6 ct
• Bazzill Mirror Cardstock - 8.5 x 11 - Silver - 6 ct
• Coredinations Heavyweight Smooth Cardstock - White - 8.5 x 11
• Spellbinders Die - Edgeabilities - Classic Scallop
• Rhinestones - Silver
• May Arts 1" Sheer Full Spool - Silver
• May Arts Metallic String Ribbon - 5 yard Bundle
• Scrapbook Adhesives-3L 3D Self-adhesive Foam Squares - Mix
• Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue
• Ken Oliver Stick It Die Cut Adhesive Sheets 6x8

Be sure to visit the Stamp Simply blog to see what gorgeousness my design team mates have been creating with these new products!

Winter Wonderland

Happy December, everyone!  With Thanksgiving behind us and today being the beginning of the month, it is officially time to really get into the holiday spirit if you haven't already!  

I am here with a pair of coordinating cards in a soft, elegant color combo.  This designer paper has kraft, silver foil and white in its color scheme, which really goes well with pretty Eyelet Outlet pearl and jewel bling,  swirly rhinestone bling, silver glitter washi tape, clear 12 mm jewel bling, antler brads.  

The pearl and jewel bling sparkle like ice and snow, and even the antlers, which could be thought of as more sportive and masculine, look really lovely in combination with metallic silver and gold ink.  

Here the swirls of bling mimic the printed swirls of the designer paper, with jewel bling and small rhinestones strategically placed on the snowflake and accenting the greeting.  I love it when a card has big impact for only a little time and effort!

I love crafting holiday cards when the tree is up, the house is decorated, and Christmas music fills the air.  The week between Christmas and the New Year is usually quiet (and technically it's still Christmas since there are the 12 days!), so it's a great time to get a head start on next year's cards!  Something to think about!  ;) 

Have a great weekend!

Colorful, Geometric Christmas

I am loving this cute Authentique paper!  Thought these triangular Christmas trees, colorful circles, dots and lines would be fun for a geometric layout of squares and rectangles.  

This bias tape bow matches perfectly with the not-quite traditional Christmas colors of the designer paper.  

The view from the inside shows the glimmer of the pearly card stock, which was left over from some 12th Night/Mardi Gras cards I made a few years back!

Here are the supplies I used, all from Stamp Simply:

• Stamp Simply Clear Stamps - Wonder of Christmas Sentiments
• Altenew Ink Cube - Rose Petal
• Tim Holtz Tonic Stamp Platform
• Authentique Colorful Christmas 6x6
• Spellbinders Die - Classic Squares Small SM
• Spellbinders Die - Classic Squares Large LG
• Seam Binding - Soft Seafoam - 5 yard Bundle
• May Arts Burlap String - 10 yard Bundle
• Kaisercraft Mini Paper Blooms - Fairy Floss
• Rhinestones - Light Pink
• Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue
• Scrapbook Adhesives-3L 3D Self-adhesive Foam Squares - Mix

Girlfriends are...

...born to shop!  It's Black Friday, so today's project is all about the shopping!  This trio of blinged-out grandmas is out for a good time together while searching for some great bargains!  

This shopping bag is a recycled bag from the bookstore where my son works.  I covered the logo with some cute designer papers in holiday colors, paper-piecing the focal image with scraps from the same paper pad.  The edges of the green panel are bordered with sticky jewel bling strips.  My favorite, most-oft-used washi tape set, Eyelet Outlet's 5-roll skinny washi tape set, plays along nicely with some music washi and planner washi for a fun calendar theme that harmonizes with the designer paper.  The big layered paper flower mimics the flowers in their hats,  which were given single jewel accents cut from the sticky back bling strips.  Yep, these are gaudy grandmas!  The more bling, the better!  ;)

The tag accenting the top of the bag features more skinny washi tape, a sticky-back bling heart and a tiny calendar of December.  

Whether you choose to shop out in the frenzy or from the comfort of your easy chair, I hope you find what you're looking for at a price you love!  Enjoy your first weekend of the holiday season!  

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!  I am grateful every single day, but today, even more so!  My life is so richly blessed and I give thanks to God for His love, protection and provision!

I know a lot of people like to decorate for Christmas even before Thanksgiving, but for the most part, I like taking my holidays one at a time!  I'll be doing some Christmas decorating tomorrow on Black Friday because, unlike many of you, that's a day I definitely don't want to go shopping!  I say all of this a bit tongue-in-cheek because I actually keep a Christmas pencil tree up all year round, and of course, I have been stamping Christmas cards and projects for a while already.

My Stamp Simply project for today is a panel to replace the Fall one I made for this seasonal frame.  I really enjoy having a few of these interchangeable holiday decor items.  They make it so easy to add a little pop of holiday cheer...they ease the transition from one holiday to the next without leaving the spot they formerly occupied all naked and lonely!

I was so happy to see that the majority of the wish for peace printed on the 6 x 6 sheet that I chose for the background fit perfectly within the required dimensions of the panel.  Music is always a big part of December for our family, and so there had to be a little bit of some sheet music peeking from within.  My husband is from Upper Michigan, so even though it very rarely snows in Florida, there's a snow-laden tree with glittering ornaments.  You can't see it in the photo but the snow sparkles a la clear Wink of Stella, and if you look closely you will see some gesso "snow" sprinkled over the entire project.  This is a layout that would very easily translate to a card-front.

I deliberately chose this sentiment because in the middle of this hectic holiday season, I need to visible, daily reminder to keep my focus centered on Christ, the true reason for the season.  

Since the back of the frame is visible from its spot on the end table, I covered it with pretty designer paper and hung a tag from the ring that suspends the panel from the frame.  I kept it simple with a pretty, shiny gold foil cross with a tiny red enamel dot tucked in the center, but I may go back and add  a few more details when I have more time.  It has been a busy week of Thanksgiving preparations and I had some baking to do! 

Here are the supplies I used:

• Kaisercraft Silent Night 6.5x6.5
• Stamp Simply Clear Stamps - Combo/Stamp/Die Christmas Trees
• Memento Full Size Dye Ink Pad - Tuxedo Black
• Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad - Tea Dye
• Ranger Mini Ink Blending Tool
• Spellbinders Die - Classic Ovals Small SM
• Spellbinders Die - Classic Ovals Large LG
• Bazzill Mirror Cardstock - 8.5 x 11 - Gold - 6 ct
• Spellbinders Die - Crosses Two
• Copic markers
• Simple Stories Enamel Dots - Cozy Christmas
• May Arts 1.5" Sheer w/Glitter Dots - Gold/Gold - 3 yard Bundle
• May Arts Metallic String Ribbon - 5 yard Bundle
• Petaloo Botanica Baby Blooms - Red
• Dina Wakley Media Gesso for "snow"
• Zig Wink of Stella Brush - Clear Glitter Marker
• Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue
• Scrapbook Adhesives-3L 3D Self-adhesive Foam Squares - Mix

From the North Pole!

Thanksgiving is right around the corner, and that means that Santa will soon be making his holiday debut!  Letters are gonna be flying to the North Pole, and Santa might just answer a few himself!  Eyelet Outlet has so many cute brads and washi tapes to dress those letters in style!

For this project Santa Mail washi tape, Santa washi tape, and skinny washi tape are a fast and easy way to establish the themed background for an envelope and mailbox from our mail brads set.  Sticky back pearl hearts accent the scalloped edge of a strip of designer paper.  

Inside another pearl heart sits beside the sentiment.  

It is exciting to make a wishlist to send to Santa and a real thrill to get a card SWAK from Santa in return!  A fast, fun project with lasting memories!  A quick search for Christmas and/or Santa will turn up all kinds of ideas!  Time to get busy!  

Enjoy your weekend!

Merry and Bright!

Kraft with black is one of my favorite color combinations.  For today's Stamp Simply project, I used some lovely Kaisercraft Christmas Editions paper to create an unconventional holiday card of simple, understated elegance.

One of the designs in the paper pack is a newspaper print that includes this long narrow column of the poem, The Night Before Christmas.  Another sheet features a pretty sketch of some Christmas gifts, greenery, and poinsettias.  They worked great together as a three-section background panel for a Stamp Simply Christmas tree and sentiment.

Warm gray Copic markers, gold Wink of Stella glitter pen, and tea-dye ink unify the design which has just a hint of shimmer.  The bow is made from seam binding flattened and wrinkled with the heat gun.  To me that bow gives the card a bit of a vintage Victorian feel...maybe it is because I have been looking at Victorian fashion plates and dress patterns (bustles, ruffles, and swags of folded fabric) lately!  

Here's a look at the greeting that's stamped inside.  

Supplies:

• Kaisercraft Christmas Edition 6.5x6.5
• Stamp Simply Clear Stamps - Combo/Stamps/Dies Christmas Trio
• Memento Full Size Dye Ink Pad - Tuxedo Black
• Tim Holtz Distress Ink Pad - Tea Dye
• Zig Wink of Stella Brush - Gold Glitter Marker
• Ranger Mini Ink Blending Tool
• Spellbinders Die - Classic Ovals Small SM
• Spellbinders Die - Classic Ovals Large LG
• Seam Binding - Fig Beige - 5 yard Bundle
• May Arts Burlap String - 10 yard Bundle
• Tombow Mono Multi Liquid Glue
• Scrapbook Adhesives-3L 3D Self-adhesive Foam Squares- Mix Black
• Tim Holtz Tonic Stamp Platform
• Copic markers
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