Winter Blossom

My card today was made for the Flourishes Timeless Tuesday Challenge which is to use something new. The  Flourishes Stamp set, Winter Blossom, the red velvet ribbon, and the yellow flower soft are all new.

The design inspiration started with a Verve challenge sketch, week one. I did a lot of stamping, coloring and cutting out, and layering with these images to get the dimension I was looking for.I wanted to keep the colors soft pastels except for the splash of red in the berries and ribbon. They were all colored in with Copic Markers.

All of the stitching around the card was done by hand with matching Embroidery Floss. I always prefer the dimension I get with hand stitching over machine stitching. I added some Flower soft to the centers of the flowers.

This card also fits perfectly for this challenge:
Quirky Crafts - New & Pink

Flourishes Love Letter's Challenge

I'm playing a game of Beat the Clock today. I wanted to play along with the Flourishes Love Letter's Challenge but I didn't have any appropriate Flourishes stamps to play.  So I've been waiting for my latest order to come in for the Heartlines stamp set. Well, it just arrived this morning. Just in the nick of time. One  hour left to get this posted.

The design inspiration for this card came from week two of the Viva La Verve Sketch Challenge.
I actually used two different Flourishes stamps, but you can't notice the second one. I stamped the roses from A Year in Flowers 2. second generation onto the die cut that was stamped with the Sentiment.
I ran the pink CS through the cuttlebug, then stamped the roses on that also. The subtle pink lines of the rose is slightly showing on the raised hearts.

The Hand Stitching was done in my own unique design with an off white embroidery floss.

Winter Emma and the Chickadee

Here is a card made using the fabulous pre-colored image from Fred She Said called Winter Emma and the Chickadee. She comes in five different colors, or as a digi to color yourself.
The inspiration for this card started with  sketch 73 from Sunday Sketch and Stash.

The papers are old retired Close to my Heart Papers from the Lucky Collection. 

Snowflake embossing folder was used for the two narrow stripes as well as a variety of Spellbinder dies. PLUS, I just got a new dies from Memory Box called Snowflake Corner.

The Hand stitching was done with white embroidery floss.

Other Challenges for this card:

All Beautiful Cards - Shiny and Sparkly

Smudgy Antics - Use scraps

Anything Goes - Just good friends

Digital Tuesday - Layers

Bearly Mine - Something Old, Something New

Scrap Creations - Something New

Winter Chickadee Birthday Card

I'm still in the Christmas Mode for making cards because Fred She Said has some amazing winter images.  So, I decided to make several "Winter" cards instead of Christmas. After all, winter is just beginning even though I wish it were over.

The design of my card started with a sketch challenge over at Sunday Sketch and Stash. We were to use any of the sketches presented in 2012. I chose Sketch #30.

For this card, I used the pre-colored Winter Chickadee from the Christmas Birds Series. I also added a small pre-colored pine cone from the Pine Cone Spray set.
I love using Blue and white when I make winter cards and it was perfect for this image. Because of the red berries, which I added a small amount of red stickles to, I added red velvet ribbon and some red sparkles. 

The papers I used are retired papers from the Wonderland collection from Close to my Heart.

The Birthday Greetings was stamped then Embossed using the Just Numbers clear acrylic stamp set from Close to my Heart.

I hand stitched around three sides of the card with White Embroidery floss in my own unique design to look like snow flakes.

Other Challenge Blogs this card was made for:
Gingerloft - Christmas or Winter
I Did It! - Use a Doily
Stamptacular Sunday - Use Doilies
Broken Box Stock - Winter/Snowflakes

Dove and Holly Ornament

Happy New Year stamping friends!

Have you made your New Years Resolution that you're not going to keep? *Ü* Every year it's always the same for me....to lose weight. So, this year I want to make it something that makes me feel really good. Yes, losing weight would make me feel ecstatic but this year my resolution is also to stamp more. My goal is a minimum of 3 projects a week. Who knows, just maybe one will lead to the other!!!

 Front

Back

Ok, here is my second creation this week. The other one is on my CTMH blog. That poor blog is rather neglected compared to this one.

I made a Christmas Ornament for the Flourishes Timeless Tuesday favorites of 2012 challenge. I used the Flourishes #200 Challenge which was to make an ornament.  I love making my own ornaments. 

I used a Spellbinders Die and cut out two pieces of cardstock and one of chipboard. I sponged Dessert Sand ink around both pieces of CS with the die over top.  I then used my xyron to add adhesive to both sides of the chipboard. to sandwich all the finished sides together.

I started stamping the large image from the Dove and Holly stamp set THREE times.  I purchased this set last year before Christmas and never got around to using it.

I colored the image with my Copic Markers then cut out the whole image and adhered to the front piece of CS. Then I colored the Doves of the second one and cut them out and layered on top of the first image with foam tape. Then I colored the one dove and cut that out and layered with foam tape again. I also colored one of the holly sprigs and cut that out to add in a bare spot at the bottom of the ornament. 

I then added cream colored pearls around the edges, added a hanger and bow to the top. Topped the bow with a flower button. 

On the back, I stamped "Peace on Earth" sentiment and more holly. 

This makes a great package topper that can then be used for an ornament. 

These are so much better then paying big buck for cheap ornaments made in China!

Other Challenge Blogs for this project:
Tuesday Alchemy - hopes & Dreams (Peace on Earth)

Peach Petunias and Hummingbirds

Here is my last post-it note holder for a while. Now I need to spend some time cleaning up my craft room. I don't know about the rest of you, but when I create, I get everything out and don't put it back until I'm done with that project. Bad habit, I know.But, when my mind is going, I can't stop it to clean up! *Ü*

My cardstock used is from Close to my Heart in the colors of Taffy, which I Cuttle Bugged with a dots folder, and Sunset. The images are from Fred She Said and are called Wee Hummingbird and Petunias in Peach.  These pre-colored images come in 7 colors of the Petunias and 11 combinations of colors of the hummingbirds. 

I printed out the sheet of Hummingbirds so I could get the color I needed in reverse, and the Peach Petunias twice. I fussy cut out a set of the petunias and both hummingbirds and layered with foam tape for lots of dimension. 

I added a small amount of yellow Flower Soft to the center of the flowers. 

The Hand stitching was done with matching Embroidery Floss in my own unique design.

Other Challenges for this card:
Anything but a Card - Anything
The Crazy Challenge - Easel Card

Purple Petunias and Hummingbirds

Here is another Easel Post-it note card in purple and light blue.

I used the pre-colored Wee Hummingbird and Petunias in Purple. The Hand Stitching was done with White Embroidery Floss.

Other Challenge Blogs for this card:
2 Sisters - anything but a card
Sweet Stampin' - seeing double

Blue Petunias and Hummingbirds

I've been busy making Easel Post-It Note Holders this month. I had a lot top get done in a short amount of time so I used the same design and the same pre-colored Images from Fred She Said, just each in a different color.

This card was done in Blues. I used the Wee Hummingbird and Petunias in Blue. 
I printed the flowers twice and fussy cut the second set and layered them with foam tape for added dimension. I printed the hummingbird in reverse and fussy cut it out to add a second one at the bottom 

The Hand Stitching was done with matching Blue Embroidery Floss in my own unique design.

Other Challenges for this card:
C.R.A.F.T. - Not a card
Card Crafter's Circle - Anything Goes
Pause, Dream, Enjoy - Anything Goes
Stampin' for the weekend - Anything Goes

FSS - Little Fat Santa

Welcome to my Christmas Stress Blog! I can't remember the last time I was this far behind for Christmas. Oh, yes I can.....it was last year! 

I only today got my first batch of Christmas cards in the mail. I used to make my cards with snowmen so if I didn't get them out before Christmas, I would put Happy New Year inside instead. But this year I used the Fred She Said Little Fat Snowman for most of my cards. 

The Ho Ho Ho is from a CTMH stamp set called Perfect Fit - Holidays. 
I used Martha Stewart glitter glue around the frame. I was going to add some liquid applique and flower soft on Santa's fur, but that would have taken more time than I had available. 

I still have about 10 cards to make for tomorrow's mail. That is, if no new ones come in today's mail that I missed.

FSS Daisies and Ladybugs

My card today is a post-it-note pad easel card. I used the  pre-colored images from Fred She Said called Daisies and Ladybugs. This set not only has the pre-colored images, but digis that you can color yourself.

The stitching on the card was all done by hand with my own unique design.

The design inspiration for this card started with this weeks challenge at Critter Sketch Challenge Blog. 

Other Challenges this card was made for.

Craft Your Passion - Stitching

Daisy Doodles - Anything Goes

House of Gilli - Anything Goes

Bearly Mine - Anything Goes
Digital Tuesday - Summer Lovin'
Southern Girls - Endless Summer

Friends of Sweet 'n Sassy Birthday Blog Hop

Good Morning Sweet 'n Sassy Fans. Welcome to their 5th Birthday Blog Hop. It's so hard for me to believe that it's been 5 years already.

I had been on the Sweet 'n Sassy Design Team for about 2 years before my life got crazy. I was so thrilled to have been asked to participate in this blog hop.

Korin and I have been dear friends for probably 10 years now. I have to tell you a story about our relationship because it makes me smile just thinking about it and is quite funny. I am a Close to my Heart Consultant and about 10 years ago I did a home gathering for Korin's sister Casey. Korin told me right out that she was only there for her sister and she had no intention of getting into another hobby. 2 hours later, I had her hooked!!! A year later she became a CTMH consultant. She loved what she did so much that she decided to leave CTMH & design her own clear stamps. And, here she  is 5 years later with an extremely successful and growing business.

My card today is using one of my favorite SNSS stamp sets, Chritsmas Joy. I actually purchased this set last winter and never got around to using it until now.  I then decided to use this weeks Sweet Stop Challenge Sketch and make an Easel Card with it.  I find it fascinating how sometimes paper, a sketch and a stamp just fall right into place. This sketch reminded me of a window frame. So, I used some old papers with trees and gifts for the background which makes it look like you are looking through the window with the Cardinal outside.  The Cardinal was colored with Copic Markers.
Even though I own 2 sewing machines, I LOVE the look of hand stitching since the embroidery floss seems to give it a bit more dimension. Actually, I LOVE doing the stitching by hand. It's therapeutic for me.

Make sure you leave me a little lovin in the comments for a chance to win a supper prize.

There will be 4 random participants from whom I will choose 1 commenter to receive a $15 store credit. 
 
To be included in the drawings, comments must be left by midnight EST Friday, November 30th.

The winners will be announced on the SNSS Blog on December 1st at 8am EST

Other Challenges for this Card:
Cards for Men - Christmas
Scrap Creations - Christmas
Use It Tuesday - Ink it up-Finally
Tuesday Throwdown - Lots of Layers

Fred She Said 30% off Black Friday Sale

FABULOUS BLACK FRIDAY Weekend SALE

Get your Christmas cards made in record time with Fred She Said GORGEOUS Pre-colored images. So many to choose from, but for 30% off, you can buy them ALL!!!

If you do prefer to color them yourself. the same Digi's are available too. 

Flourishes New Release Challenge

I decided at the last minute to play along with the Flourishes New Release challenge since I love to have the chance to win some free stamps.  My chances have always been slim to non, However, it gave me the incentive to make another Christmas card. 

There are four different challenges with this one card.
1.  a sketch challenge
2. Make it Monochromatic
3. Use designer paper
4. Add Bling.

This was such a gorgeous sketch that I couldn't pass it up. I'm a sketch junkie.
Then I stamped the Poinsettia and Pine Stamp set with Memento Black Ink and used clear detail embossing powder to just give it a little more dimension. I also stamped the Joy! from the same set with black and heat embossed it also with clear EP.
I then colored it in with Copic Markers. 
I love to do hand stitching on my cards but didn't have much time today so I just added some hand stitching in two of the corners. 
I flip flopped my designer papers on the background and the circle.
I then added lots of pearls and pearl swirls along with pink crystals around the red part of the circle for the bling.

Fred She Said Winter Blog Hop

Good morning all you Fred She Said fans and those of you who have never experienced the fabulous FSS artwork. The design team is featuring newly released winter images today.
This card is a little simpler then I usually make because this is one I used for my card workshop this month. 

Welcome to the Fred, She Said Winter 2012 Blog Hop! The flakes will be flying in earnest soon...grab yourself a cuppa something warm and spend a while checking out the new Fred, She Said Winter images!   

If you have arrived from Tracey Lynn's blog,  you are right on track. If you are just happening by, you will want to go back to Tracey Lynn's blog since her's is the beginning and you wouldn't want to miss any of the fabulous artwork nor miss a secret word.

Collect a secret word on each blog along the way, leave us some love on our posts and follow the directions at the end of the hop for your chance to win this FABULOUS PRIZE!

One winner will receive ALL of this:

PRIZE:
£15 gift voucher -Bearly Mine Designs- 

$25 GC to CropStop (provided by Fred She Said)
$25 GC to Fred She Said Store

If you get lost along the way, here is the order of the hop.

Tracey Lynn

                      Nancy - You are here
Zehra
Crystal 
GUEST DT Donna 

Janet Kay 

Patricia

Carolyn

Michelle  

FSS Challenge Blog 

The design inspiration for this card started with a sketch from "Seems a Little Sketchy."

For my card, I used the pre-colored image of Snow Lady - Light Up Your Holidays. Isn't she just the cutest!!! I used a narrow embossing folder with snowflakes in Heavenly Blue cardstock then sanded over the raised images. 

The "Season's Greetings" is from PaperTrey Ink.

With a Ball Point Glue Pen I added dots of glue for the snow in the sky with prisma glitter. I used the glue pen on each of the lights and used coordinating MS glitter.

Your secret word on my blog is "is"

Your next stop on the hop is Zehra's blog.  

Winners will be selected on November 23, 2012 at 12:01 EST.

Other Challenge Blogs for this card:
Fussy & Fancy - Feeling Blue

Sunflowers and Pumpkins

I love the Fred She Said pre-colored images so much that I actually printed them out and used them for my card class last night. This is one card and the other will be shown for the FSS Blog Hop on Friday.

For my card I used the Pumpkins and Sunflowers for the main image and then the Sunflowers and Thankfulness set. I omitted a sentiment so they could use it for any occasion this fall.

The inspiration for the design of this card came from a Sketch and Stash sketch #53. Their challenge this week is to use any sketch from their catalog. They have so many gorgeous sketches there that I had a hard time choosing.

All papers are from Close to my Heart. I used two spellbinder dies and a MS border punch. The background paper was made with a Fall embossing folder then sanded lightly.

Other Challenge Blogs for this card:
Die Cuttin Divas - Brown, yellow, orange + one other (green)