Halloween Cards

Happy Halloween! I made a special card last night that I wanted to post today in honor of Halloween. I am really getting into my colored pencils and with each card am getting better and better. I need to decide if I want to turn to Copic Markers. With the holidays coming, this would be a good time to try and start my collection. They are so expensive, but realize that being on a DT means using digi stamps. I found a stamp store in downtown Glendale that I am going to check out today. They have a Copic Club to help artist collect these markers at a discount. They also have classes that could help me ease into this new venue. I plan on buying my tickets for the Mesa Rubber Stamp event this weekend. Looking forward to it and have a great Halloween!


I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:


Santa can have a sense of humor too!

I don't typically make funny cards. But when I was asked to make a set of 10 humorous Christmas Cards, I was up for the challenge. I began looking in craft stores and on line for some funny rubber stamps, but did not have much luck. I have even bid on a few on EBAY, but have not been fortunate to win the bids. Then I had the idea to use some of my stamps that I already had and just add a funny saying or quote. This definitely turned out to be a more economical way to create some unique, funny holiday cards. It is funny what a little creativity can do.


 I think that is why I love making these cards, it challenges me to dig deep and make something from my imagination. As I get deeper and deeper into this hobby, I am loving it more and more. I have to come up with a few more ideas, but here are a couple of the cards I have made so far.

The cards are tri-folds, that I designed. I have used this card fold for some of my fall cards as well.

This is a template I really like. Santa is from Recollections and Wanda is from Stampin Up. It is a birthday set, but I think it works well for this card.

I would like to enter these cards into the following Challenges:



One persons Trash is a Card makers embellishment

When you need an embellishment, you probably don't go to your recycle bin. I didn't either until recently. I am finding as I make more cards, my imagination grows bigger and bigger. I find myself walking the aisle at Home depot looking at small objects and trying to think how these items would look on cards. I have to admit, Tim Holtz has been a big inspiration in this area. Many of his idea-ology embellishments do not look like your typical card embellishments. That is why I love them. Little items such as a bottle cap or soda can tab can really add dimension to your cards and create a unique look. This can be said for any types of crafting. There are so many items that can be used to create unique crafts. This is not a new concept, remember the days we use to make necklaces and art out of macaroni? Well, we are just taking it to the next level.

I made this card using a Cling Stamp from Recollections. I colored in my Santa image and matted it on black card stock. I created my Santa belt with black ribbon, black brads and a Soda Can Tab for the belt buckle.

I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:


What is Christmas without a Gingerbread House

While in Ohio last week, I got a little taste of the Winter season. It snowed! Now I am sure that the locals probably did not think much of it, as it barely came down and did not stick to the ground. But coming from Arizona, if I have a chance to say I was in the "snow" I am gonna say it! The temperature dropped below 40 degrees and I could definitely feel the chill in the air, especially since I did not take a jacket. It is difficult traveling from the West Coast to the East Coast in the winter. Not only do you need to deal with the time zone difference, but you need a completely different wardrobe. Having that brief encounter with snow, put me in the mood to make this card. The image was provided by a new friend I met on Google+. She has all sorts of fun images that she shares as well as some beautiful cards that she creates. The paper is from American Crafts "Merrymint" pad.
Merrymint

Gingerbread House


 I am looking forward to using some of the other Christmas paper in this pad.








I would like to enter this card into the following Challenges:




Finished with traveling and ready to play!

Hello blog friends! I am happy to say that I am finished with travels...for now and ready to play. It is less than a week for the first challenge over at Suzy Bee's Bloomin Challenge Blog. I am part of the Design Team and we have lots of fun challenges planned. Below I have listed some information on the Blog as well as the first challenge. This will give you a head start on your project. Hope to see you there. 



Suzy Bee's Bloomin Challenge Blog 
First Challenge Saturday November 2nd
For a chance to win some Suzy Bee's Bloomin Challenge Blog candy, click on the candy picture,on my side bar, then become a follower of 
Suzy Bee's Bloomin Challenge Blog, one follower will be randomly picked 
ON DECEMBER  14th, to win the candy. Simples...
What's in the Candy.....
1- Pack of Black A4 Eva Glitter Foam 2 sheets in a pack
2 - Papermania Noel Stamp Set 9 in a Set
3 -  Pack of Cameos 4 in a pack
4 - 1 pack of 5 by 5 Scalloped Edged Cards with Envies 
5 - 1 pack of Crystal gems Assorted Sizes 66 in Total
6 - 1 Pack of Crystal and Turquoise Gems 110 in Total
7 - 2 x Packs of Crochet Flower Brads there are four in each pack .

Challenge # 1 Emboss It.....
Our first challenge at Suzy Bee's Bloomin Challenge Blog is on
Saturday 2nd November,
No Size Requirements, does not have to be a Card, as long as somewhere on your project you have added some embossing. So come on and join in with the fun, and we have some great prizes for the winners.......  

Even Barbie Dresses up for Halloween

Hello blog friends. I feel like I have been neglecting my crafting world. I flew back home Friday night for a short weekend home and will be heading out again tomorrow. The life of a road warrior. But before I head out, I thought I would take a moment to type a quick post. The theme this week was scream. Now with Halloween just around the corner, I am sure we will be hearing a lot of screaming going on. It is a day to scare and be scared. Everyone seems to be getting in on the holiday spirit, even Barbie.
Cat Woman Barbie
I found this Cat Woman Barbie over at Bargain Express. Not only does she have Cat Woman Barbie, but several other Barbies as well. There was Happy Holiday Barbie, Elizabethan Queen Barbie, Midnight Waltz Barbie just to name a few. They could probably have their own Halloween party. If you have a moment, pop on over to her store to check out her full collection. These would be a great gift for Christmas, so make sure you get yours, while her supplies last. Hope everyone has a great week!

A birthday month for my Moms

It's Sunday afternoon and I have been doing laundry and packing. I am getting ready to hit the road for the next three weeks, coming home only on the weekends. As a consultant, my job requires me to visit clients, so it is part of the job. But when I am on the road, the rest of my world seems to stop. I don't get to make cards, I do not write in my blog as often as I would like to, and I don't participate in card challenges. It makes me a little sad, but a girl has to make a living. I often tell my husband that I wish card making was my job, but if it was, perhaps I would not enjoy it as much as I do. I thought I would enter one last card challenge, before I hit the road tomorrow. My Mother and Mother in Law both have birthday's this month. So in honor of them, I will submit this Tri Fold Mother card into the following challenges:



FREE Simple Printables for Holiday Cards

I have been making cards for a while now, and I love getting new ideas. I have signed up for many on line sites through the years and get several email daily. I want to  make sure I do not miss out on the latest release, or sale that may have just started. One of the emails
 I get monthly is from Paper Crafts Magazine. They provide free printables each month that can be used for card making.
 These are great as they enable me to add different sentiments to my card without having to go out and buy a new stamp. These printables come in jpeg as well as pdf. So I thought I would share the link with you, if you are not aware of it. After all, we ALL love freebies! Have fun!
Christmas Cheer

In Card making...and Life...Practice Make Perfect

Thinking of you warms my heart
I wish I had made a copy of my very first Handmade card. I was so proud. It was so simple, but I had made it. Back then, I did not realize how many products and techniques were out in the card making world. All waiting for me to give them a try. I think as I have progressed, I have become bolder, more confident in my card making skills. I am not afraid to try new things. Take Digi stamps. Yes, I have seen what beautiful work other card makers do. I thought this was something I would not get into. I felt I did not have the skill or the tools (Copic Markers) to try this coloring technique. But when I joined the Design Team for Suzy Bee's Bloomin' Challenges, guess what, some of the challenges use Digi Stamps. I knew if I just had some time to practice, I could make my cards look...well acceptable. So that is what I did. Now, I could not very well go out and buy a full set of Copic Markers. Well, I guess I could, but then I would have to explain why we were having Campbell's soup for dinner for the next couple of weeks. But I did have colored pencils. You Tube has some great videos on how to get a Copic marker look with colored pencils.

The pencil set I have is nothing fancy. I got them at Michaels. It is a 48 piece set by Artist's Loft. Upon doing my research on line, I found that by using Gamsol, which is an odorless Mineral Spirit, you can blend your colors. The liquid results in an almost watercolor-like look. It essentially melts the pencil lines and erased the grainy appearance you typically get with colored pencils. Now this technique is made for colored pencils, not water pencils. So make sure you check what type of pencils you have. You will also need assorted blending stumps and a cleaning tool. These are used to blend your colors and clean your blending tool.They can be found at any crafts or Art store.

Basically, you color your image with colored pencils, outlining your image with the darker color and shading with the lighter color. Then you take your blending tool, dip it into the gamsol and with light pressure use circular motions to pull the darker colors towards the center of the image. This will give you a shaded appearance. I was very happy with this card. I have been practicing for a few weeks now and get more confident as I go along. As I said, practice make perfect...or at least better.

Have fun!

I have entered this card into the following challenges:




Card Making Tools & Toys

The blog theme this week is nails When carpenters build houses, they use hammer and nails. They have a tool box with all their tools to build what they want to build. Well, with card makers, it is no different. While we don't use a hammer or nails, we do have our own tool box, or what I like to call my toy box.
Toy Box

When I started scrap booking, 16 years ago, my very first tool, next to my paper cutter, was my corner rounder. To this day, it is probably one of the tools I use the most. Many of the items I used back then were stickers and some die cuts. Once I got into card making I really started to build my toy box. I started to watch more You Tube video, read more blogs and participate in card challenges. It opened my eyes to all the toys out there for card makers. I would think to myself, boy if I only had that die cut, I could make that card. But if you are a card maker, you know how expensive this hobby can get. I have had to wait for sales, find things at garage sales and yes, even buy on Ebay. I have always loved vintage grunge and tend to go towards the "Tim Holtz" style of card making. I also like the product that Graphic 45 puts out. It is a Vintage/Grunge style as well. I am just now starting to build my collection of his products, enabling me to learn more of his techniques. But I also like the "frilly style". This leans more towards what Becca does on her blog Amazing Grace. Well,I wanted to share with you a couple of my latest toys.
Toys


I purchased an envelope maker. More recently I have been making non traditional sized cards. It is sometimes difficult to find envelopes, so I decided to buy this gadget. Now I know there are several videos on line that show you how to make envelopes without a gadget, but this is so easy, I just had to have it. I have included a video to show you how cool this envelope punch board is. I also purchased this Majestic Elements Nestabilities Die Cut from Spellbinder as well. I had a 40% coupon from Cut at home that I used. If you sign up for their mailing list, you will get a VIP 40% coupon every month to use towards Spellbinders or Quickutz or a 30% coupon to use towards Sizzix or Tim Holtz Sizzix. I included their link in case you want to check it out. I was able to create this Happy Holidays card using my Majestic Elements die cut. I added some holly, gems, pearls and ribbon and this was the result. So easy, yet so elegant by just using this die cut.  It is amazing what you can do with new toys.
 I would like to enter this card into the following challenges:

Happy Holidays

World Card Making Day

World Card Making Day is a holiday for card makers around the world to celebrate the creativity of handmade cards and for some, to  kick off the holiday card making season. It is the first Saturday in October each year where card makers gather and share ideas and creativity. I did not make one card today. It was one of those days where life got in the way. If you were not able to participate in the fun today, like me, there still is time. Paper Crafts is hosting a card making contest where 15 winners will be chosen. The deadline to submit your cards is October 15th. so there still is time to win these fabulous prizes. 
You can find more information below:

Official World Card Making Day Site: worldcardmakingday.com/index.html
Paper Crafts magazine blog:                papercraftsconnection.cm/
Moxie Fab World blog:                      moxiefabworld.com/

And so I don't feel like I have been left out completely from all the fun, I decided to enter my card I made yesterday into a couple of challenges:


Autumn Flower

Christmas Card for Little Girls

No Peeking!
Hello All. I got such a great response from my BCA card I posted yesterday, I decided to make a few more PINK cards. I have been busy working on Christmas cards to ensure I have enough stock for my online store, so I decided to make a Pink Christmas Card.

When I was a little girl, I loved Pink. It still is one of my favorite colors. So why should we not have Pink Christmas Cards? In the spirit of BCA month, I have created this Pink Christmas card. I think any little girl, (or big girl) would love to receive it with a special gift just for her.

I embossed the white glossy card stock with snowflakes and used card stock from Recollections called "My Favorite Things". Used cut outs from Quikcutz to create the presents and the "25". Merry Christmas stamp is from Stampin up Family Reunion set and finished card off with Ribbon and Bow. I loved how this card turned out. I will be using one of them for my Niece's Gift this year. She is a Pink Girl, just like her Auntie.

I would like to enter this card into the following Challenges:




Think Pink!

Welcome October 1st. Cooler weather, the start of the holiday season and National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This month is about awareness and making sure family and friends are aware of how important self examination and annual examinations are. This is a disease that can be beat, if caught early. We want our family and friends to be around for a long time and this month is about making sure everyone knows there is no room for shyness.  A fun way to show family and friends that this is an important subject and one that should not be ignored is to send them a handmade reminder card. I have created these reminder cards that you can send to your family and friends to remind them to schedule their mammograms. You could even offer to accompany them to their appointment if they are nervous or this is their first one. Believe me, this is NOT something I look forward to every year, but I faithfully get it done. Having family history with this disease, I want to make sure that if me or one of my sisters is unlucky enough to get this disease, we at least can catch it sooner rather than later, and try to beat it.
Get Them Checked

I would like to enter my Breast Cancer Awareness card into the following Challenges:

Featured Post

Challeng Winners - February & March 2023

   Hello everyone. As you may have noticed, I have been MIA for the last couple of months. Life has been very busy and it has been difficult...