Woof

Today I made a card for a friend who is recovering from surgery. I used the Crafty Cardmakers challenge, to make a card featuring embossing. I just love these goofy pups from the Tim Holtz Crazy Dogs set by Sizzix, which especially awesome because it includes the stamps, dies and this fun splotch embossing folder. I colored the pups with Copic Sketch markers and glued to a craft card base. On the inside I wrote "Translation: Get well soon. We miss you." 

Hello Rosebud

Made a card for a long distance friend I met in Alaska last summer. We both make cards so we send each other one at least once a month. Her nickname is Rosebud and this card has roses in full flower and bud form, so it's perfect for her.

I used the sketch challenge from Sketch Saturday #598 but mixed it up a bit, moving the ribbon to the side and reversing the direction of the strips...which I had to do because I cut them in the wrong direction. I also stitched around the edge because I just love stitching on cards. The papers are scrapbook papers from Jen Hadfield. The photo is slightly washed out because I don't have an indirect lighting source at the moment.

And here is the fun sketch from Sketch Saturday. 

For some reason, I can't center the sketch. One of these days I'll spend some time learning more about formatting!

Getting "Red-y" For Christmas

Today I made a card for the  Jingle Belles  and Christmas Kickstart challenges, to make a card prominently featuring the color red. I loved coloring this silly little reindeer.

Materials used:

Reindeer from Unity Stamps.
Colored with Spectrum Noir markers.
Papers are Doodlebug milk & cookies.
Stitched around the white cardstock, added a Christmas bulb to cover where the stitching didn't quite match up and finished with a bit of twine.

Hello Spring!

Well, it might not be spring just yet but temps hit 72 F this weekend in my neck of the woods. It feels amazing but doesn't bode well for the water outlook in NoCal this year. 

Today I made a card based on the Cut it Up Challenge 194 Your Favorite Color. TBH, my favorite color varies depending on how it is used. I love green but I look ghastly wearing it. But I think every room in a home looks better with a plant, even faux, because green complements pretty much everything. 

I die-cut the card using Stephanie Barnard Sizzix Framelits and Jen Hadfield scrapbook papers. I fussy cut the flower and die-cut the Hero Arts Hello. 

Berry Merry Christmas!

Yep, I am on a roll. Two Christmas cards completed this year. I am determined to post all my cards on the card challenges I participate in, something that I am horrible at.

I used some Penny Black Festive & Frosty papers and this fun tag from my stash.

I stitched around the edges (using my Baby Lock Soprano-to the horror of my sewing instructor) and a bit of red ribbon. Piece of (fruit)cake.

The sketch is from 52 (Christmas) Card Throwdown. I'm planning to do a lot more of their challenges in 2020!

Happy New Year!

OK, I am going to post my challenge cards this year...I didn't make it past February last year, even though I made and mailed at least one card a week! Which is hugely a lot for me.

Here is my take on the Jingle Belles challenge to make a card using wrapping paper or gift tags. This year I wrapped my Christmas gifts using rolls of gorgeous paper from Target in black, gray and white, all with gold accents. We had a flocked tree in our front room and the packages looked so cool under the tree. 

I used the black/gold wrapping paper for the sky and the white/gold for the snow. I have no idea where I got the gold material that I used to die cut the Tim Holtz trees, but I will tell you it has a slick backing that neither glue nor tape runner would adhere to. Mini-glue dots (cut into quarters!) did the trick. Also discovered that stamping on wrapping paper makes a blurry mess. My first card sacrificed itself for the teaching moment. 

Congratulations to Stephanie and Lauren on Jingle Belles' 10th year and thank you for the inspiration! xo

It's not cool to be square...or rectangle.

Last night I decided to make beer battered fish tacos. Made the cabbage slaw and chipotle sauce, delicious btw. Went to pull out the tortillas so I could warm them while cooking the fish. Doh! No tortillas. Could have gone to the store but then I would not have been able to watch the Grammys nor finish my Christmas card. Rao's pasta sauce and frozen tortellini to the rescue! 

The Jingle Belles are getting in shape by making cards in a shape other than a square or rectangle. This required a little engineering on my part but I'm happy to report that it stands up and fits in a regular envelope. Used up a few odds and ends from my shoe box of Christmas stuff and some scraps of paper.

Grammys watched...check. 

Card completed...check.

Today I found the tortillas. In the cheese drawer.