A Merry Hello

I am like a turtle with the Christmas card making so far this year. This is actually Christmas card #4. 

I stamped the images from the My Favorite Things Chill Holiday (retired) onto Copic friendly cardstock, cut out with the matching dies and colored with Copic markers. For the clean and simple background I cut a piece of white linen cardstock using a stitched edge die then cut an opening with the Rectangle Peek a Boo Window die and lined it with patterned paper. I stamped the sentiment below the opening using cherry kisses ink. The images were attached using foam dimensionals. 

Products: My Favorite Things stamps and dies, MFT dp, PTI cs, MFT dies, Altenew and The Stamp Market ink, Copic Markers

Copics: Penguins-W00, E81, R01, Y13, Y17, T1, T3, T5, T7; Stockings/Scarf/Hat-R21, R22, R24, G000, G00, G02, G07; Branch-YG01, YG23, E30, E31

I am submitting this to the Christmas Kickstart Challenge #89 - Animal Antics. 

It's so-o-o hot here. It feels better to work on "cold weather"projects.  

The Happiest Christmas Ever

Obviously, not much creative is going on my life right now. March has been a very hard month for us. I won't go in to everything because I just don't want to talk or write about it right now. However,  I will say that I am recovering from a cold. No fever but did have a raging sore throat, sinus congestion and some body aches. I am just now getting back to normal but my energy level is quite low. 

The only reason you are seeing this card is because I stamped, diecut and colored the images from the My Favorite Things Chill Holiday with Copic markers back in February. I have a few more images ready for another card also. The only stamping I had left do to was the sentiment which was stamped onto pure poppy cardstock using Versamark, then white heat embossed. To assemble the card I cut the linen cardstock background with a stitched rectangle die and I also used the tiny "snow mound" die from the set. I inserted the "candy canes" into the snow mounds, then added all the other pieces with a combo of glue and foam dimensionals for a clean and simple Christmas card.

Products: My Favorite Things stamps and dies, PTI cs, Altenew and Versamark ink, Copic Markers

Copics: Penguins-C00, C1, B21, B23, B26, Y13, Y17; Walrus-C00, C1, C3, T0, T1; Present/Ear Muffs-G12, G14, G17; Toboggan/Bow/Candy Canes-R20, R24, R27; Walrus Toboggan-Y13, Y15, Y17

I am submitting this to the My Favorite Things March Ready, Set, Christmas! Challenge.

Have a blessed day!

A Holiday Bear Hug

Today's card is for the My Favorite Things Ready, Set, Christmas challenge. 

I stamped the images from the My Favorite Things Chill Holiday onto Copic friendly cardstock, cut out with the matching dies and colored with Copic markers. I used the Gift Box Cover-Up to cut from navy blue textured cardstock, then placed on a patterned paper background which came from the Colorful Christmas pad. I then stamped the sentiment onto Hawaiian shores cardstock and white heat embossed. All the pieces were attached to the panel using foam dots. 

Products: My Favorite Things stamps and dies, MFT dp, PTI and Bazill cs, Altenew and Versamark ink, Copic Markers

Copics: Bears-W00, E81, E40, E44, R01, R02; Scarves-B41, B32, B39, RV11, R81, R85; Sled-R20, R24, R27, C00, C1, C3; Gifts-BG0000, BG000, BG01, R20, R24, R27, YG00, YG21, YG25; RV11, R81, R83, W00, E81

Have a great week!

May Your Days Be Furry and Bright

My last pet themed Christmas card for this year. 

The My Favorite Things Happy Pawlidays stamp and die set have really got a work out this year as well as in prior years. It remains a favorite set. The sentiment was white heat embossed and I used patterned paper from the  Newton's Nook Canine Christmas pad for a background border. 

Products: My Favorite Things stamps and dies, Newton's Nook dp, PTI cs, Altenew ink, Copic Markers

Copics: Dog-E30, E31, E33, E35; Scarf-BG000, BG01; Ornaments-R20, R22, R24; Tree-G14, G17, G28, R22, R24, Y000, Y21

I just have a trip to the wine store and a few small gifts to wrap and I will be ready for Christmas day. How about you? 

Naughty Kitty Brings on the Jolly

I have another pet themed card today.

I used the cat from the now retired My Favorite Things Peace, Love, Paws stamp and die set for and the lights and candy canes from the Happy Pawlidays. The tree came from the Santa's Elves set. This naughty kitty had a lot of fun knocking down the tree. The sentiment was stamped directly onto the panel. 

Products: My Favorite Things stamps and dies, Doodlebugdp, PTI cs, Altenew and The stamp Market ink, Copic Markers

Copics: Kitty-T1, T3, YR20, YR21, E81, R02; Tree-G12, G14, G17, G21, G25, E31, E35, E39, Y13, Y7; Lights-C3, B0000, B000, B01, Y13, Y17, R20, R24, R27; Candy Cane-R20, R24

Counting down the days to Christmas! Thanks for stopping by.

Peace, Love, & Paws

I am slowly getting my Christmas cards mailed. A colonoscopy yesterday cost me a whole day so time is of the essence at this point. I am trying to slow down and enjoy the season but it's hard when I have so much more to get done. Today's Christmas card is another one created I created for a dog loving family. 

I used the candy canes and dog image from the (apparently retired) My Favorite Things Peace, Love, Paws stamp and die set all colored with Copic markers. I attached both to a shaker tag I created with the also retired MFT Tag Builder Blueprints 4 die set filled with sequins from the Picket Fence Studios Grand Fir Trees Sequin Mix. The sentiment was stamped onto a strip style tag and attached to the shaker with cording. The background panel patterned paper is from the Newton's Nook Canine Christmas pad.

Products: My Favorite Things stamps and dies, Newton's Nook dp, PTI cs, Hemptique Cord, PFS Sequins, Altenew ink, Copic Markers

Copics: Dog-T1, T3, T5, T7, R01, R02; Beanie-YG01, YG23, YG25, E81; Candy Canes-R20, R27; Ornament-R20, $22 R24, R27, Y21

I hope all is well with you. Have a great weekend. 

Happy Pawlidays

I make Christmas cards all year long, really stepping it up in July. I don't normally make them with specific people in mind; however, I do have several pet lover's on my mailing list so I made cards specific to them. You will see them over the next couple of weeks. 

I stamped the dog and holly from the My Favorite Things Peace, Love, Paws set and the gift from the Happy Pawlidays set onto Copic friendly cardstock, cut with the matching dies and colored with Copic Markers. I then cut the tag from linen cardstock using a die from the Dress My Craft Stitched Tag #2 set and added a bit of patterned paper from the Newton's Nook Canine Christmas pad. I placed the dog, gift and holly onto the tag using foam dimensionals. The tag was then attached to the cardstock and patterned paper background. The sentiment was stamped direct to paper using cherry kisses ink.

Products: My Favorite Things stamps and dies, Newton's Nook dp, PTI cs, Altenew and The Stamp Market ink, Copic Markers

Copics: Dog-T3, T5, E31, E33, E35; Reindeer Ears-W1, W5; Gift-BG000, BG01, R22, R24, R27; Holly-R22, R24, YG01, YG25

Thanks for stopping by! 

Bee Balm

Our small church group of women have been meeting for dinner every two weeks when possible during the summer for fun and fellowship. Last Thursday was our last dinner since we are transitioning to a fall church wide study in September. I used several different products to package up a Burt's Bees Lip Balm for each as a simple token of gratitude. 

I worked in assembly line style so I first created the bees using The Greetery Honey Bees die set, cut from true black, harvest gold and white linen cardstock. I added a bit of color to wings with an E81 Copic pen and then assembled the bees. 

Next I created the packaging using the Papertrey Ink Tag Sale #1 Die which I elongated plus used some off the plate die cutting so I could fold up in order to secure the lip balm. I then created the cutouts using the My Favorite Things Lip Balm Window & Frame. I originally thought I would strictly use a yellow, black and white color scheme but at the last minute decided I wanted to add more color, thus the hawaiian shores frame. I used the Picket Fence Studios Hexagon Randomness Stencil with Aztec Sunflowers Paper Glaze Luxe to partially add the small hexagons and then lightly blended bright buttercup ink on the opposite side. 

I cut the leaves from green parakeet cardstock using a die from The Greetery Summer Findings Die set and a flower from the Spring Findings Die set. I was a little "extra" by cutting the tiny flower center to match the lip balm cap. After attaching the bee, leaves and flower to each, I inserted and glued down the back of the  Lip Balm Pouches, added the lip balm, folded up the tag and tied with yellow cording. 

Products: The Greetery, Papertrey Ink and My Favorite Things dies, PTI cs, Picket Fence Studios Stencil and Paper Glaze, MFT Lip Balm pouches, PTI ink

Can you believe it took all these products for these tiny little packages?

Joy Love Peace

I used the sketch from the My Favorite Things Wednesday Sketch Challenge (#607) to create today's card. 

The birds and greenery images from the My Favorite Things Winter Songbird stamp set were stamped onto Copic friendly cardstock, cut with the matching dies then colored with Copic Markers. I added the various pieces to a pierced edge diecut using a combo of blue and foam dimensionals. I stamped the sentiment from the Mini Merry Messages set onto another pierced edge circle diecut using classic kraft ink. For the remaining circles in the sketch I used dies from the Layered Snowflake Die set (which is apparently retired) using the inlaid die technique. 

Products: My Favorite Things stamps and dies, RC and PTI cs, Altenew and PTI ink, Copic Markers

Copics: Bird-W00, E81, E84, E87, YR31; Clothing-BG70, BG000, BG72, BG75, C00, C1, C3; Leaves-YG91, YG93; Berries/Flower-BV02, BV04

Have a great week everyone. Blessings.

Have a Blessed Christmas

Today's card is a last minute entry to the new Peace on Earth Christmas Challenge. 

My photo did not really capture the pretty red, cherry kisses I used to stamp the various images from the new My Favorite Things Iconic Christmas which were all cut with the matching dies. 

I stamped the Christmas Greetings Background using Versamark ink onto white cardstock, white heat embossed it then cut out the three circles from it. After attching the small stamped images to the circle pieces, they were then adhered to the card base. Lastly, I added the sentiment which was also stamped with Versamark and white heat embossed. 

Products: My Favorite Things stamps and dies, The Stamp Market and PTI cs, MFT dies, The Stamp Market and Veramark ink

I was inspired by the red and white ceramic ornaments in the challenge photo. 

Merriest Christmas

Good morning. I created today's card for the My Favorite Things Slimline Challenge-Christmas. 

I cut and colored several of the birds from the My Favorite Things Winter Songbird stamp and die set including this trio during the latest #thedailymarker30day challenge. I used a slimline basics die set to cut from wood textured cardstock and the woodgrain patterned paper or the backing. The birds and sprigs of greenery were attached using a combo of glue and foam dimensionals. The sentiment from the My Favorite Things Mini Merry Messages set was stamped using licorice ink. 

Products: My Favorite Things stamps, Doodlebug dp, Ellen Hutson and PTI cs, Mama Elephant dies, Pinkfresh Studio and Altenew ink, Copic Markers

Copics: Birds-E50, E51, E53 E55, W00, E81, R30, R32, R35, YR31; Scarf/Hats-T1, T3, T5, T7; Greenery-YG01, YG03; Berries-R32, R35

Have a great weekend. Thanks so much for stopping by.

*Merry Christmas* Birds

How was your weekend? Mine included a few crafty hours as I needed to get my mind off some personal things. Although not one thing has changed, at least I had a few hours respite from thinking about it. Does crafting help your mental health too?

I cut and colored several of the birds from the My Favorite Things Winter Songbird stamp and die set including these cuties during the latest #thedailymarker30day challenge. You will see more of them later in the week as I colored enough for at least four cards in total. I generally followed the current My Favorite Things Wednesday Sketch Challenge #560 for the layout. The sentiment and tiny snowflakes from the Hand Lettered Holiday (apparently retired) set were stamped in cherry and lazy day ink. 

Products: My Favorite Things stamps and dies, Avery Elle dp, PTI and Ellen Hutson cs, Atenew, The Stamp Market and MFT ink, Copic Markers

Copics: Birds-B21, B23, B26, W00, E81, Y31; Scarf/Hat-R21, R22, R27; Leaves-YG01, YG03; Berries-E81; Acorns-E50, E53, E55

Thank you for stopping by. Have a great week!

Sending Happy Wishes

If I am going to do a Christmas in July this year, I am off to a very slow start! There will be Christmas cards completed this month but I have no idea how many at this point. 

I couldn't resist the My Favorite Things Christmas Cardinals set when it went on sale, stamping three of the branches and the cardinal onto Copic friendly card stock then cutting out with the matching dies. I used this week's MFT Wednesday Sketch Challenge #549 for the layout using two of the holly branches as the diagnoal portion along with  a strip silver metallic cardstock. I attached the other branch and the bird to a die cut patterned paper circle using foam dimensionals. Before attaching all the pieces to the card front, I stamped the branches using soft stone ink. The sentiment was white embossed. 

Products: My Favorite Things stamps, dies and dp, PTI and American Crafts cardstock, Marvy Liquid Applique, Versamark and Altenew ink, Copic Markers

Copics: Cardinal-R21, R22, R24, R27, YR31; Hat-E81, YG00, YG01, YG03; Branches-E21, E23, E25, G40, G43, G46, YG01, R27

I hope your week is off to a great start. 

I Hope This Brightens Your Day

In effort to use my newer purchases in a more timely manner I am double dipping on challenges today. 

After stamping the two images from My Favorite Things A Very Sweet Somebunny I cut them out with the matching dies. I followed the sketch for this weeks MFT Wednesday Sketch #532 Challenge and used the colors from this weeks Color Throwdown #633 Challenge. 

Products: My Favorite Things stamps and dies, PTI, RC, EH and Bazzill cs, Versamark and Altenew ink, Copic Markers

Copics: Deer-E40, E41, E42, E44, R01, R02; Bunny-C00, C1, C3, E81, Y15; Trees-W00, W1, W2, E81, C1

I hope you have a great week!  As always, thank you for stopping by. 

Happiest Birthday Ever

Today's card is for a masculine birthday. I used this week's My Favorite Things Sketch #523  for the layout. 

I stamped the images from the Let's Curl Up stamp set, cut out with the matching dies then colored with Copic Markers. I sandwiched a storybook die with a stitched rectangle die for the white linen card front and backed with woodgrain embossed cardstock to fill in the openings. Most of the images were attached with a layer of craft foam. The sentiment was stamped with Versamark and white embossed onto a strip of cardstock which was also attached with craft foam. 

Products: My Favorite Things stamps and dies, PTI. EH and SU cs, Pretty Pink Posh die, Versamark and MFT ink, Copic Markers

Copics: Fox-W00, E81, E00, E11, E13, E19; Greenery-G40, G43, G46; Mushrooms-E40, E41, R37, R39, R59

I am hoping to do a few more challenges this year while also using some new or not yet used stamps. Thanks for stopping by.

CAS(E) this Sketch #352 - Guest Designer

Good morning. I am guest designing for the new CAS(E) this Sketch Challenge today. It's a great little sketch and I hope you can find some crafty time to join us.

I stamped and diecut with the matching die from the sweet My Favorite Things Pure Innocence Angel, then colored with Copic Markers. As you can tell I followed the sketch closely using gold and silver metallic cardstock as a background for the sweet angel which I attached with a layer of craft foam. A sentiment from the Simon Says Tiny Words Christmas set finished it up.

Products: My Favorite Things stamp and dies, Simon Says stamp, American Crafts metallic cs, Michaels and PTI cs, MFT Die, Altenew die, Copic Markers

Copics: Skin-E000, E000, E11; Hair-E30, E31, E33; Dress-W00, E81; Wings-BG0000, BG10

Have a blessed day! Thank you for stopping by.

Santa Paws

is coming to town!

I had a head start on this card as I had colored the images last year but never got around to using them. The images from the Happy Pawlidays set were stamped onto Neenah cardstock, cut out with the matching dies then colored with Copic Markers. To prepare the background I sponged a bit of tumbled glass distress ink onto the card base, then added a strip of metallic gold cardstock and a patterned paper border at the base of the card. I stamped the sentiment onto a stitched double ended flag and after adhering it I added the two stamped images using foam tape for dimension. A few sparkly enamel dots finished it up. I have to say that I have really enjoyed this set as I have quite a few dog lovers on my Christmas card list. I used an MFT sketch from a couple of weeks ago for the layout.

Products: My Favorite Things stamps and dies, Doodlebug dp, Michael's metallic cs, PTI and MFT cs, Doodlebug enamel dots, Ranger and MFT ink, Copic Markers

Copics: Dog-E40, E41, E42, E44, N1, N3; Hat-W00, E81, R20, R22, R24; Collar-B21, B23, B26; Tree-YG11, YG13, YG23, N1, N3; Star-YR31, Y35; Ornament-R20, R22, R24; Lights-B000, B01, YG11, YG23, YR31, Y35, R22, R24

For the second card I stamped the image from Santa & Friends onto Neenah cardstock, cut out with the matching die and colored with Copic markers. I also stamped and colored again cutting it out with the same die and trimming off the side the deer portion so I could add more dimension by stacking with foam tape. Santa is cute but he kinda looks like Mrs. Claus put him on the Keto diet this year! After cutting out a circle in a patterned paper panel, I backed the cutout with a piece that was stamped using the Christmas Background stamp. After attaching to the card base, I attached the stamped image with foam tape. The sentiment was stamped using vermillion ink and I added the small holly and berry images at each end, colored with Copics and attached using foam tape. I used a clear gelly roll pen on Santa's boots and gloves and liquid pearls on the reindeer's nose and the berries on the sentiment piece. A few enamel dots finished it up. I used last week's MFT challenge sketch for the layout.

Products: My Favorite Things stamps and dies, Lawn Fawn dp, Doodlebug enamel dots, Sakura Gelly Roll pen, Ranger Liquid Pearls, Altenew ink, Copic Markers

Copics: Reindeer-W00, W1, W2, W5, E31; Santa-W00, E81, R20, R22, R24, R27, N1, N3, N5

Counting down the hours to the big day. Or big days for us (you too probably). We will spend Saturday in one city, two days in another and then back home late Christmas Eve to spend Christmas day at home.