A Cup of Winter Cheer

Brrrr!  In my part of the world winter is upon us.  Cold temperatures, getting dark before 5 pm, frost on my windshield all make me want to stay inside and hibernate until spring.  The things I like about winter are cooking meals in my crock pot, wearing fuzzy warm socks, and avoiding the cold by staying inside to play in my craft room.  On this cold and frosty day I made this card for the 2016 Winter Coffee Lovers Bloghop

The quarterly Coffee Lovers Bloghop represent two of my favorite things:  coffee and card making!  For this card I used the Coffee Helps stamp set from Verve.  I used one of the sentiments stamped in white pigment ink to make the background on Crumbcake paper.  The sentiment on the front was embossed with gold embossing powder then outlined with a sparkly gold gel pen.  Wink of Stella was used on both the cup and mug for shimmer, and I used Dazzling Diamonds glitter on the whipped cream.

Recipe:

Stamps:  Coffee Helps - Verve

Paper:  WW, Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso

Ink:  WW Craft, Baked Brown Sugar, Versamark

Accessories:  Gold Embossing Powder, Gold Gel Pen, Heat Tool, Ribbon, Gem, Chameleon and Spectrum Noir Alcohol Markers, Wink of Stella, Dazzling Diamonds Glitter, Verve Dies, Framelits

Last of the Blizzard of 2016

In the past few days the temperatures here have been above freezing, even a couple of times in the high 50's.  The great amount of snow that was rapidly dumped on us over a week ago is melting into large puddles and streams.  I think this week should be titled "The Great Thaw of 2016".

This is the last card that I made during the Blizzard of 2016.  I CASE'd it from this card.  It was nice having an extended weekend with no where to go and nothing to do except drink coffee, watch Netflix, and make cards.

Recipe:
Stamps:  Scentsational Season, Beautiful Borders, Snowflake Soiree
Paper:  WW, Crumb Cake, Marina Mist, DP
Ink:  Rose Red, Crumb Cake, Early Espresso Craft, WW Craft
Accessories:  Framelit Dies, Stick on Gems, Corner Rounder Punch, Heat Tool

Blizzard Snow

This card is similar to my previous card Brrr!  I used the same Snowflake card Thinlet die but used a different embossing folder and accent colors.

Recipe:
Stamps:  None
Paper:  WW, Soft Sky
Ink:  Soft Sky
Accessories:  Snowflake card Thinlet die, Shimmer Spray, Embossing Folder, Stick on Gem

Brrr!

I'm still snowed in but I'm not complaining.  I'm having fun making cards, drinking coffee, and watching Netflix.

I used my Snowflake Card Thinlet die, then ran the card through the embossing folder inked with Marina Mist.  I accented with a snowflake eyelet and crystal brad.  I used a little smooch paint on the white snowflake and "Brrr".

Recipe:
Stamps:  None
Paper:  WW, Marina Mist
Ink: Marina Mist
Accessories:  Snowflake Card Thinlet die, Eyelet, Crystal brad, Embossing Folder, Smooch Paint

A Hug in a Mug

My area got about 3 feet of snow this weekend during the Blizzard of 2016.  I spent a little more than 3 hours shoveling today.  When I came in I made myself a hot cup of coffee poured over a chocolate truffle for a mocha-licious treat.  Tomorrow is another snow day off from work, and I will probably spend it resting sore muscles.

This is one of the cards I made during the blizzard.  It is a CASE of this card that I found on Pinterest; it symbolizes all of the hot drinks many of us have enjoyed this weekend.  For my version of the card I added sequin accents, used DP for the mittens and sprayed the background with Shimmer Spritz for a frost effect.

Recipe:
Stamps:  Scentsational Season - SU
Paper:  WW, DP
Ink:  Bermuda Bay, Smokey Slate
Accessories:  Embossing Folder, Mitten Punch, Framelits, Frost Shimmer Spritz, Sequins

So Much Snow!

My area is getting hit with the blizzard and I am completely snowed in.  At the rate at which the snow is falling and blowing, I may be stuck inside until Monday or Tuesday.  I'm not complaining though.  I lots of time to play in my craft room.

This is one of several cards I have made so far today.  I applied Marina Mist ink to the embossing folder then ran the cardstock in it through my Bigshot.  I like how the ink is not even because it gives the effect of blowing snow, like the blizzard going on outside.

I made several cards today and will continue to make more until I get dug out.  So there will be a lot more post coming over the next week.

Recipe:
Stamps:  Snow Place
Paper:  WW, Marina Mist
Ink:  Marina Mist, Memento Tuxedo Black, Bermuda Bay
Accessories:  Embossing Folder, Framlits die, Thinlet die, SU Markers, Glimmer Mist

Have a Royal Cup

I needed a little diversion from making my annual Christmas cards and something coffee themed seemed to do the trick. This little cup was an easy and fun project to make and it fits with the 2015 Winter Coffee Lovers Blog Hop.

Blue and white are my favorite colors for Christmas.  I decided to go with a bit of a royal theme using crown and throne stamps.  The saucer is made from SU's Doily Thinlet die.  I used a narrow Cuttlebug embossing folder on the handle.

Recipe:
Stamps:  Kindred Spirits - Verve; Carry On, Postage Collection - SU
Paper:  WW, Island Indigo
Ink:  Island Indigo
Accessories:  Doily Thinlit Die, Embossing Folder

Cup of Kindness

This was a fun little tag I made last year but stashed in a drawer and forgot about it, until now.  I used the now retired SU Scentsational Season stamp set and the coordinating dies.  I hate fussy cutting so if a set has a coordination die or punch I am more likely to use it.  I used DP on the tag and then sponged over it.  I sponged WW craft ink on the blue and pink pieces to give it some winter frostiness.  This card would be perfect to describe this winter, as I spent many days watching snowfalls with a cup of coffee in hand.

Recipe:
Stamps:  Scentsational Season - SU, Latte Love - Fiskars
Paper:  Pretty In Pink, Marina Mist, Soft Suede, DP - SU
Ink:  Marina Mist, Soft Suede, WW Craft
Accessories:  Embossing Folders, Nestabilities, Dies, Sponge, Ribbon, Glitter Pen, Stick on Gem, Cropadile

Christmas 2013

These are the cards I made for Christmas 2013.  I added more details and techniques than I usually use for Christmas.  I used an embossing folder and 2-step stamping.  Out of all the Christmas cards I have made, this is my favorite design.  This is going to be hard for me to top for Christmas 2014!

Recipe:
Stamps:  Evergreen, Come to Bethlehem - SU
Paper:  WW, Island Indigo, Pool Party
Ink: Island Indigo, Pool Party
Accessories:  Embossing Folder, Nestabilities, Label Punch, Star Punch, Stickles

Christmas 2012

I realized that I never posted the cards that I made for the past two Christmases.  These are the ones I made for Christmas 2012.  Since I make about 100 cards to send out to friends and family I like to do different variations to break up the monotony.  I used a sparkly gel pen to add some shimmer accents to the focal image.

I try to choose designs that are quick but interesting since I make so many.  My next post will show my Christmas 2013 design.

Recipe:
Stamps:  First Christmas, Baroque Motifs - SU, Isaiah 9:6 - Verve
Ink: Midnight Muse, Rich Razzleberry, WW
Paper:  WW, Rich Razzleberry, Midnight Muse
Accessories:  Sparkle gel pen

Waiting for Snow

This card was actually made last month but I didn't get to photograph it until now.  Winter is here but where is my snow?  The weather in my neck of the woods has been very mild; some days I can go outside without a jacket.  I am hoping for a white Christmas this year, even if it is only just a dusting of snow.  I have to work Christmas night so if we get a nice storm of several inches after I get home in the morning I would be very happy!  This card fits with the Freshly Made Sketch challenge 65.

Speaking of Christmas, all of my cards for this year are stamped, assembled, stuffed in envelopes, addressed, and packed up to go out to the post office tomorrow morning.  I will post the photos next week.

Recipe:

Stamps:  Bold Snowflake, One of a Kind, In the Spotlight - SU

Paper:  Crumb Cake, WW

Ink:  WW Craft, Crumb Cake

Accessories:  Cuttlebug, Punches, White EP, Heat Tool, Ribbon, Stick on Gems, Glimmer Mist

A Snowy Hello

In my part of the world, this summer has been a real scorcher.  I originally colored this image in early July when the temps were over 100 degrees Fahrenheit and many people had power outages from a record breaking electrical storm.  I was fortunate enough that I never lost power but I empathized with all those that had.

I had been searching for a sketch for this image and I found this weeks Freshly Made Sketches 48.   I die cut the image to make it a little more interesting than a plain rectangle.  The image is colored with alcohol markers and I used long retired SU DP for accent.

Recipe:
Stamps:  Snow Much Fun, Elementary Elegance
Paper:  Real Red, WW, SU DP
Ink:  Memento Tuxedo Black, Tempting Turquoise
Accessories:  Spectrum Noir Markers, Nestabilities, Ribbon, Buttons

Ornamental Christmas Tree

I got a chance to play around with the new SU Merry Minis bundle and this is the result.  I don't like the traditional red and green pairing for Christmas decorations so I being me, I used blue, pink and green.  I may use this as one of the projects for an upcoming beginner's card class as it was rather simple and quick to create especially since I used punches for everything.

Recipe:
Stamps:  Merry Minis, Come to Bethlehem
Paper:  WW, Marina Mist, Gumball Green
Ink:  Daffodil Delight, Primrose Petals, Marina Mist
Accessories:  Corner Rounder Punch, Merry Minis Punches, SU Dotted Ribbon Punch, 3/4 inch square punch, Rhinestone gems, Bic Permanent Mark - to color rhinestone

Dirty Merry Gingy

This is another card for the SCS Dare To Get Dirty 2012 Challenges.  This card is a combination of 4 of the challenges.  SCS Fan Club members can click each of the following links to get info and participate in each challenge.
dtgd12edna15
DTGD12Twinshappy
DTGD12Bar
DTGD12blondie090277

Recipe:
Stamps:  Sensational Season, Warm Words
Paper:  VV, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, Early Espresso, Riding Hood Red, DP
Ink:  Early Espresso, Crumb Cake
Accessories:  Cuttlebug, SU Punches, Buttons, Stickles, Holiday Collection Framelits

Christmas card for Sweepie

I made a card for my little niece Sweepie and have one for her little sister, Little Munchkin, in process.  I had a lot of fun with this card as I got out my colored pencils, Goo-Gone and blending stumps.  I'm a bit out of practice with my coloring technique.  I also finally set up my Cricut and used my new Paper Lace cartridge.  I love this cartridge as there are so many fun shapes and designs, even ones that are doily-like as the one on this card.  It is hard to tell in this photo but I used Stickles to accent the ear and hand muffs.  I ran DP through the Cuttlebug and then lightly sanded it to bring out the white core.

Recipie:
Stamps:  Elisabeth Bell
Paper:  WW, Pixie Pink, Green Galore, DP
Ink:  Stazon Black
Accessories:  Colored Pencils, Goo-Gone, Blending Stump, Cuttlebug, Martha Stewart Punch, SU Snowflake Punch, Cricut, Sanding Block, Stickles, Buttons, Stick on Gems

Let Your Light Shine

I'm finishing up my Christmas cards and I took a little break to participate in the SCS Featured Stamper Challenge 252.  This week's Featured Stamper is Studbo and her gallery is amazing!  I see myself CASing many of her cards.

This card has my typical winter theme of blue, white and silver.  Giving you a hint of the colors that I used in my Christmas card this year.  After I mail out my Christmas cards I will be posting pics.

Recipe:
Stamps:  Baroque Motifs - SU, Starstruck, Grateful Elegance - Verve
Paper:  WW, Baja Breeze, Not Quite Navy
Ink:  Not Quite Navy Classic & Craft, Baja Breeze
Accessories:  Cuttlebug Folder, Clear EP, Stickles, Corner Rounder, Dew Drops, Ribbon

Sweepie & Friends

This set is really called "Lily and Friends" but Lily reminds me so much of my little niece Sweepie. Sweepie loves to wear pink and even got a pink dressy coat and matching pink hat and mitten set for Christmas. I colored the image with colored pencils and Goo-Gone (my favorite method of coloring), and added some sparkle with pink glitter EP and different colors of stickles. Again I shaded the background with chalks and a cotton ball.

Christmas Snow

The background of the main image was made using Tim Holtz's alcohol inks, metallic ink, and mixative on glossy paper. I dripped all the inks and mixative on a craft sheet and then smooshed and swirled glossy paper on top of it. The scarf is from a cuttlebug Disney die and folder

Silver Bells

The semester is over for me and so it is time for some fun. I decided to try the 3D stamping technique and it worked really well with this stamp. I went over the bells with a versamarker and then used glittered EP. The snowflake is from a small Dollar Tree ornament. I find a lot neat little things to use as embellishments at Dollar Tree.

A Christmas Card

So I did it! I made a Christmas card! This will probably be the only one I make this year because I should have been studying for my exams.