Tuesday, November 30, 2010

More Christmas Cards!!


I have these coming out of my ears!!!  LOL!!  Two more cards to show you, well actually one and a set of cards.

The first one was inspired by a card, made by Barb Mann, I saw on Stampin' Connection (SU! demos site) that used the lattice die as more of the focal image.  Hers was for Thanksgiving and I changed it to Christmas.  The lattice die is cut from the wood sheets and is where I got all those little pieces that I used to make the Thanksgiving card on this post.  So, don't throw away all those little pieces!!!

The rest is really quite quick and simple.  All of the layers/parts are from punches: Ornament, 1 3/4" circle, Word Window, Boho Blossoms and 2 step bird.  Plenty of dimension going on here too!!  All of this is put onto a Whisper White card base.  The inside is decorated too, but I don't have a pic of that.


The set of cards is actually a completion from the one I featured on GCA#111 - Recycle, Recycle!  I had four of the lattice pieces cut, so I made a set of cards.  They all have a Soft Suede card base, the lattice die cut from the brown packing paper from my SU! orders, Paper Daisies, Deck the Halls big buttons and the Deck the Halls fabric.  I cut the fabric with the Trimtastic die.  LOVE it!!  And I love my Big Shot!!

Hope you enjoy!!

Happy Stamping!!

~~~Ann~~~

Monday, November 29, 2010

Non-Traditional Christmas Colors!!


I love to use non-traditional colors on my Christmas cards.  With any holiday for that fact.  Why conform when I can express myself through color????  LOL!!

The two cards I'm showing now are also for the LateNightStampers Yahoo group I belong and the current challenge.  And, of course the challenge is to use non traditional colors on a Christmas card.

The first one uses Soft Suede and Blushing Bride.  I love these two colors together!!!!  I paired the colors with the Season of Joy set and the wonderfully fun big buttons in the Holiday mini!!  The ribbon is the Blushing Bride poly twill and I frayed some of it.


The second card uses Pacific Point, Silver and Whisper White.  I'm not much of a "blue" person, but I do love Pacific Point!!  I used the Baroque Motifs swirl for the "branches" and silver cord to hang my ornaments from.  The ornaments were punched from Silver which I embossed with the Petals A Plenty and Perfect Polka Dots eb folders.  Each of the ornaments is up with a dimensional.  The saying is from Heard from the Heart.  A quick and easy card to make, that should also be regular price to mail!!!

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

Sunday, November 28, 2010

GCA #114 - Not Your Usual Christmas Items!


Hello all!!!  Today has been one of those lazy, don't move too fast, kind of days!  Hence the late posting for today.  Starting with this GCA, through the month of December, we will be focusing on the upcoming Christmas holiday.  If there is anyone out there like me, I still have plenty of projects to finish and need the push and ideas to get them done!!!

Luckily, for me, the majority of my Christmas cards are completed.  Now to get them addressed and off in the mail!!  With that being said, that is how I came up with this week's challenge.  I think my all time favorite stamp set will always be Lovely as a Tree.  There is so much that you can do with it, for so many different occasions.  I have seen many cards completed using the row of trees and the reverse masking technique.  Most times I, and others, use the single pine tree as the focal image.  The background is in Crumb Cake with the trees in Early Espresso.

Well, I just received the new "Have a Seat" set and was playing around with it, when the light bulb went off!!  Why not use the bench as my focal image?  So, I went from there.  I have two cards here, alike but different.  I started with stamping the bench in Poppy Parade, but when I put it on the card front with the Espresso trees, I didn't like it.  So, I stamped it again, in Soft Suede.  The bench seat is also stamped in Garden Green and popped up, as is the pot of poinsettias.  I used the Champagne glass glitter in the center of the flowers.

And yes, I cut out each of the benches and then used my craft knife to cut out the legs!  Wouldn't want to make to many of these like that!!


The second card uses Pear Pizazz as the background and Always Artichoke for the trees.  As I was sponging the background, I noticed I was getting the edges of the card, so I fixed that!!  I sponged all around the edges too!  I really like the framed effect it gives here.  I used the bench I already had stamped in Poppy, and added the flowers and owl.  The flowers are from the Punch Potpourri set and are supposed to be poinsettias!!  The owl comes from the Inch by Inch set.

So, what unusual items/images can you think of to create Christmas cards, projects, scrapbook pages or whatever!!!  I'm sure we all have plenty of them around.

Upload your creation to either your blog or to an online gallery and post a link to your creation to this blog entry by December 4, 2010 at 12 midnight. I will choose the winner the next day. If you upload your card to SCS, PaperCraft Planet, Stampin' Addicts, Stampin' Connection (for SU! demos) or Stamp TV, please put GCA114 in your keywords. That way everyone can see all of the wonderful creations at once!


Even if you can't make the drawing deadline, PLEASE feel free to participate in the challenges and upload your creations at any time. I would love to see it! And yes, my challenge is open to everyone who visits, even if you live outside the US!


Happy Stamping!!!!
~~~Ann~~~~

GCA #113 Winner is....

.....Hazel!!!  You can check out her fabulous fall creation on her blog My Crafty Outlook.  Hazel I will get a stampin goodie package out to you!!

I hope all of my American stampin' friends had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!  Now we are all into the Christmas mode!

With that being said, the GCA's from now until the end of December, are all about Christmas.  I hope it helps you create some special Christmas cards, projects or keepsakes.

Up Next:  GCA #114 - Not Your Usual Christmas Items!!!

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Happy Retirement - DIC123


Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!  Even if you are not celebrating Thanksgiving today, take a moment and look around you to see what you have to be thankful for.

The Inspiration challenge on the UDI Blog is a picture of a lush fall scene, ripe with pumpkins, squash and fall leaves.  Check it out and play along if you have a moment.

I needed to make a retirement card, actually a couple more too!, for one of the ladies in my office.  With the early retirement that the state of MI is offering, we have several taking advantage of it.  So, this is card #1.

I just received the new "Have a Seat" set and decided to put it to good use!  Isn't that what retirement is all about?  Relaxing and enjoying life?

I took a variety of the colors from the inspiration piece to complete my card.  The base is Naturals Ivory, layered with More Mustard and pieces from the Autumn Spice dsp in the Holiday mini.  I just love this dsp!  It is heavyweight and textured. 

I stamped the bench in Early Espresso and sponged the edges with the ink pad.  This is layered on Cajun Craze and Pear Pizazz, which has been embossed with the lattice square folder.  The entire panel is popped up with dimensionals.  A mini library clip helps keep the sentiment panel attached to the main image.  Two, non SU!, chocolate stick on pearls finishes it off!  (Sorry Maria, but they were just what I needed!!)

Don't forget to check out the UDI Blog for the rest of the design team creations and play along when you get a chance.

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

Sunday, November 21, 2010

GCA #113 - The Colors of Fall!!



Hello all!!!  Another wonderful Sunday afternoon spent with my stampin friends.  This was the second in a two class series to complete Christmas cards.  I'll post pics of them soon.

Since this is the last full week of November, and Thanksgiving is Thursday, I thought we would focus on the beautiful colors of fall.  Most of the color is gone from Michigan now, but I still like these colors.

For your creation this week you need to include at least one of the following colors:

BROWN
GREEN
ORANGE/RED
YELLOW

You can use any color variation of these colors, I'm just listing the "general" colors.

My card I created for a "wonderful friend" of mine who is very dear to me!!  She is also having a bit of a difficult time and I just want her to know that she's in my thoughts.  This also uses the colors from the CC295 over on SCS of: Cajun Craze, Peach Parfait and Early Espresso.

My card base is Espresso layered with Peach Parfait dsp.  The Cajun Craze was punched with the double ribbon punch.  The sentiment panel is Very Vanilla and stamped in Cajun Craze.  I also sponged the edges with Cajun Craze.

I was playing around with the new cork sheets and my big shot, so that is how the leaves ended up on here.  The other leaves are punched from Wild Wasabi using the 2 step bird punch.  The Wild Wasabi piece was ran through with the Lattice Square die.  A piece Chantilly lace and some tiny pearls, finishes it off!!

The sketch is from Stampin' Connection, SCCSC38.

Upload your creation to either your blog or to an online gallery and post a link to your creation to this blog entry by November 27, 2010 at 12 midnight. I will choose the winner the next day. If you upload your card to SCS, PaperCraft Planet, Stampin' Addicts, Stampin' Connection (for SU! demos) or Stamp TV, please put GCA113 in your keywords. That way everyone can see all of the wonderful creations at once!


Even if you can't make the drawing deadline, PLEASE feel free to participate in the challenges and upload your creations at any time. I would love to see it! And yes, my challenge is open to everyone who visits, even if you live outside the US!


Happy Stamping!!!!


~~~Ann~~~~

GCA #112 Winner is....

...... Yogi!!!!  You can see her fabulous creation on her blog Art with Yogi.  Love how she created the background on her card.  Yogi please email me at amf1066@comcast.net with your address and I will get a stampin goodie package to you.

Thanks to all who stopped by, left comments or just had a look!!

Up Next:  GCA #113 - The Colors of Fall

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

Thursday, November 18, 2010

A Thanksgiving Greeting - DIC122


Hello all!!! I cannot believe the weather we are having here in Michigan!!!  You would think it's early spring instead of the middle of November.  But, I am truly enjoying it.

Over on the UDI Blog this week, the inspiration challenge is a gorgeous picture of a fall tree in all it's glory!  The color of the leaves is stunning.  Check out the UDI Blog to see it.  And play along!

I had one thought for my card when I looked at the picture, but then, like always, the card went on it's way by itself!!!  But, I do like how this turned out!!

It all started with the "wreath".  I cut out several lattice dies from the wood sheets the other day, and just couldn't throw away all the little bits and pieces left.  If was cardstock, that's one thing, but this was using the wood sheets.  As I had them on my table the "light bulb" went off and I thought those pointed ovals would make a great wreath. 

Originally I intended for this to be a Christmas wreath, but when I looked at the pic for this week, I thought a fall wreath would work too.  I have no idea how many pieces I used, but it does have two rows.  I punch a circle first with the 1 3/4" circle and then punched that out with the 2 1/2" circle.  That is the base.  I added sticky strip and stuck 'em down!!  I then spritzed it with the Log Cabin Smooch Spritz.


I used the Greeting Cards Kids set and actually this image is more for Halloween.  But, we have pumpkins at Thanksgiving!!  I omitted the broom she is holding and made her hat look more like a pilgrim hat.  I watercolored her with my aquapainter and stamp lids.  It's supposed to look like she's "holding" the sentiment!

The sketch is from this month's Fan Club/Dirty Dozen group on SCS.  The card base is Naturals Ivory, layered with Old Olive stamped in the same ink with the Sanded BG.  The second layer is Chocolate Chip with a piece of the Autumn Spice dsp.  I distressed the edges with my distressor tool.  A piece of Victoria lace and linen thread, and it's done!

Happy Stamping!!!!

~~~Ann~~~

Sunday, November 14, 2010

GCA #112 - Thankful Thoughts!



Hello all!!!  Late posting today since I spent the afternoon stamping with my club girls.  They are so much fun.

As I was thinking about this week's challenge, I kept coming back to Thanksgiving being only 1 1/2 weeks away!  And last Thursday was Veterans Day.  Of course both of these holidays are US ones, but I know other countries have days similar to these. 

I am very thankful for my family, my job, my friends, my ability to stamp and so much more.  Most of all I am thankful that I have a loving God to watch over me.

So, the challenge for this week is create something with a theme of Thanks, Thankfulness or Gratitude.  Those are just a few I can think of.  However you want to express your thankfulness works!

This is the scrapbook page we created at club today.   It is 12 x 12 and the base is More Mustard textured.  We also used the Autumn Spice dsp from the Holiday mini.  To make the leaves I used the cork sheets and wood sheets and Leaves #2 die.  The stamp set used is Define Your Life.

I will add pictures, once I find the ones I want!  Most likely of my grandbabies as I am very thankful for them.

Upload your creation to either your blog or to an online gallery and post a link to your creation to this blog entry by November 20, 2010 at 12 midnight. I will choose the winner the next day. If you upload your card to SCS, PaperCraft Planet, Stampin' Addicts, Stampin' Connection (for SU! demos) or Stamp TV, please put GCA112 in your keywords. That way everyone can see all of the wonderful creations at once!

Even if you can't make the drawing deadline, PLEASE feel free to participate in the challenges and upload your creations at any time. I would love to see it! And yes, my challenge is open to everyone who visits, even if you live outside the US!

Happy Stamping!!!!


~~~Ann~~~~

GCA #111 Winner is.....

....Jeanette from H2O Creations!!!  Check out her blog to see the beautiful card she made and the recycled products she used!!  Jeanette please email me at fittona@yahoo.com with your address so I can get a stampin goodie package out to you.

I loved looking at all of your creations this week!  Many clever uses of recycled items.  We sure can use just about everything to make a card or scrapbook page!!!

Up Next:  GCA #112 - Thankful Thoughts

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Caffeine is a Vitamin - DIC121!!


Hello all and Happy Thursday!!!  And Happy Vetrans Day to all of our vetrans, past and present!  Without you this country would not be the safe haven we all love.  Thank you.

This week on the UDI blog Inspiration challenge, Maria provided us a picture of a yummy cup of coffee/lattee.  Either one I'm good with!!  So, I decided to pull out my Morning Cup set, which I HAD to have, and decided to ink it up!

The card base is Very Vanilla, layered with Soft Suede and then dsp from the Blueberry Crisp set.  On here it kind of reminded me of vintage wallpaper.

The large scallop circle is cut from the scallops #2 die in Marina Mist.  The smaller one, is punched from the 2 3/8" scallop punch.  The Very Vanilla image layer is punched with the 1 3/4" circle punch.

Lots of dimension going on here too.  The Soft Suede center strip, and each of the scallop circles are popped up.

I stamped the cups in brown staz on and watercolored them with my aquapainter and ink from the stamp lids.  It's hard to see, but on two of the cups I used my white gel pen for some highlights.  I used the Soft Suede ink pad directly on the circle layer for shading.

A piece of Chantilly lace and Vanilla Seam Binding and some stick on pearls, and we're done!

The sketch is this week's SCS306 over on Splitcoast.

Don't forget to check out the UDI Blog for rest of the design team cards!!

Happy Stamping!!

~~~Ann~~~

Sunday, November 7, 2010

GCA #111- Recycle, Recycle!!!



Hello all!!!  Sorry for the late posting.  I am currently out of town and have very limited internet access.  Anyway, if I had planned better, I would have had this ready!!!  LOL!!

This week we are focusing on recycling.  And by that, I mean re-using something you have in your craft room, or house, that wouldn't normally be used in crafting!

For example, on my card for this week, the lattice square was cut from the brown wrapping paper that comes in my SU! orders.  I crumpled it up before I ran it through the Big Shot and then tried to "lightly" glue it onto the card front.  I like how it doesn't overtake the card, but lets the rest of the items show off.

I used the new SU! fabric, Deck the Halls, cut with the Tasteful Trim die.  I cut several pieces and I am going to put together a set of Christmas cards using the rest of it.  When I get back home I will add the Christmas sentiment.  The card base is Soft Suede textured.

The flowers are with the new Paper Dasies, love them!!!  The smaller one was colored with the Cherry Cobbler pad using a sponge dauber.  You have to be very careful when doing that, as the name implies, they are paper!!!  The button comes from the Deck the Halls buttons in the holiday mini.  I used the Itty Bitty flower punch to put in the center and topped it with a stick on pearl.  For my "leaf"  I used a piece of the Always Artichoke seam binding.  It is sooo smooth!!!  The entire flower is popped up with dimensionals.

Upload your creation to either your blog or to an online gallery and post a link to your creation to this blog entry by November 13, 2010 at 12 midnight. I will choose the winner the next day. If you upload your card to SCS, PaperCraft Planet, Stampin' Addicts, Stampin' Connection (for SU! demos) or Stamp TV, please put GCA111 in your keywords. That way everyone can see all of the wonderful creations at once!
Even if you can't make the drawing deadline, PLEASE feel free to participate in the challenges and upload your creations at any time. I would love to see it! And yes, my challenge is open to everyone who visits, even if you live outside the US!

Happy Stamping!!!!

~~~Ann~~~~

GCA #110 Winner is....

.... Joyce from Peach Crate!!!    You can check out her fabulous Asian inspired pink wedding card by clicking on her blog link.  Joyce please email me your snail mail address and I will get a stampin' goodie package out to you.

Ali and Susan, your packages are going in the mail this week.

Thanks to all who stopped by!!

Up Next:  GCA 112 - Recycle, Recycle!!!

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~

Thursday, November 4, 2010

An Old Fashioned Christmas! - DIC119


Hello all!!!  I hope everyone is doing good and, of course, finding time to stamp!!!  Halloween is now behind us, and Thanksgiving and Christmas soon approaching.  Where does the time go???

The UDI Inspiration pic this week is a basket of different breads and wheat.  I'm not quite sure how I got from that to a Christmas card, but it's where I felt lead.

The "wreath" is made using the new, and gorgeous, Deck the Halls fabric.  If you haven't seen or felt this fabric, you are missing out!  I cut four of the large scallop circles from the Scallop Circles #2 die and my Big Shot.  My idea for this card came from a Christmas card on the front of our monthly demo magazine, Stampin' Success, but I made a few changes.  They used the scallop circle from the Pennant die.  Since my circles are just a bit bigger, I added additional layers to the center.

The button is from the new Deck the Halls buttons currently available in the Holiday mini.  I LOVE those buttons!!!  I used the new stick on Pearls for the center.  Another fave of mine!

The ribbon tags are using the Always Artichoke seam binding ribbon, also available in the Holiday mini.  My card base is 4.25 square from Soft Suede textured and layered with a piece of Very Vanilla.  I ran this through the Perfect Polka dots eb folder and then aged with my Distressing Kit inks.  The saying is from Teeny Tiny Wishes and held on with linen thread tied around the button.

Don't forget to check out the UDI blog to see the inspiration piece and what the other team members did!!

Happy Stamping!!!

~~~Ann~~~