Sequels

 

The brilliant masterminds behind the Toy Story movies sure hit the mark by showcasing the relationship of the toys with each other and their owners for three movies straight. (I knew there was a reason why I couldn't throw out the teddy bear with the shaky head and bald spots, and now I know why my boys fetch broken toys out of the garbage when I'm cleaning). If you haven't seen Toy Story 3 yet, please do-it is one of the best sequels out there, the DVD is on my (as well as my two boys') Christmas Wish List.

 

 

Welcome to the first day of the Practicing Creativity Design's December Release. For this month, I'm offering a quick photo tutorial on how each card is made! I used the villain from Toy Story 3 as an inspiration for my holiday card, I loved Lotso's colors. This card features the Emboss Resist Technique and Retro Christmas from Practicing Creativity Designs.

 

Stamp the deer image in watermark ink onto your favorite patterned paper, then stamp the antlers.

Clear emboss the image.

Rub ink around and slightly over the embossed image in a color slightly darker than the patterned paper.

I used a cotton ball, but a rag, sponge dauber or foam squares work nicely as well.

Rub any excess ink off your embossed image.

 Outline your embossed image with a permanent black marker for additional contrast.

Dry emboss your paper with Nestabilities (I used the tutorial found here.)

Assemble your card by adhering your die cut focal image to the embossed card base and stitching a few lines.

Stamp your sentiment.

Oh, and don't forget to add a pearl or gemstone for your reindeer's nose!

Please be sure to visit the blogs of Dana, Paulina and our guest designers, Valerie and Amy, for additional clues. Hop on over Courtney's blog to make a guess on what both sets are about for a chance to win!

Cyber Monday

Art Deco

Replaced by Clifford the Big Red Dog and other children's classics, my Art History textbooks/novels/bibles have long been neglected and almost forgotten, having been subjected to a top shelf in my old room at my parents' house. If I had them here, I would flip them open to the pages featuring the wonderful art deco artwork from the 1920's. Beautiful, bold colors and shapes.Vintage goodness.
Happy Thanksgiving! I'm thankful for so many things in my life-too many to list!

Have you heard the news? Check out Limelight Papercrafts for super deals and play along with the sketch challenge (while incorporating polka dots!) to have a chance at winning a Stickles Prize Pack! Just in time for holiday sparkle!! My card today features a very beautiful bloom made by Jess and the color inspiration comes from this card. 

All the details to play along can be found at Mandy's blog. Thank you, my wonderful visitors and friends, for taking the time to stop by today.

Supplies Used: 
Cardstock: (Vintage Cream) PTI
Patterned Paper: (Junebug) Basic Grey
Ink: (Wild Honey and Walnut Stain Distress) Ranger
Embellishments: (Twine) May Arts, (Brad) Making Memories
Other: (Swiss Dots Embossing Folder) Provo Craft, (Vintage Seam Binding Tape)
Tools: (Corner Chomper) WR Memory Keepers

Winter Blooms

Not much has changed from when I was little. They city council decorated the town today and I was transported back twenty some years. From the street lamps hang the retro tinsel and light lined shapes I remember from my youth. The store windows still don feathered painted white snow and rows and rows of poinsettias. Oh, the Christmas season is upon us and my spirits are lifted and merry! 'Tis the season!

This is my first time playing along at  CASE Study Challenge Blog. I was drawn to the featured card-loving the bold outlined flower, the scallops, pearls and the round shape! I added those in my design, but catering it towards the holiday season with some Christmas-y paper and sentiment.

Here's the featured CASE card by uber talented Heather Pulvirenti.

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: (Vintage Cream) PTI, (Green) CTMH
Patterned Paper: (Jovial) Basic Grey
Digital Images: (Doodle Blooms) TiffanyDoodles
Embellishments: (Pearls) Queen & Co., (Sticker Sentiment) SRM Stickers
Other: (Marker) Copic
Tools: (Circle Punch, Circle Cutting System) Creative Memories

A Chilly Panther

 

You can see your breath when you walk outside and you have to wear more than two layers to stay warm. One would think that by living in Wisconsin I would wear the Green and Gold and be absolutely fine with the cold weather and look fabulous in a cheese head. But alas, there are no (absolutely none!) Packer fans in my household. I'm a Carolina Panther Fan and my husband has been a San Fransisco 49er's fan for as long as I've known him.

Welcome to the Mini Sports Blog Hop! Thank you for stopping by from Brandi's blog. Some of my fabulous blogging friends have joined forces today to show some love for our favorite teams. Inspiration comes from so many sources! Even though the Panthers haven't had the best of seasons, they did beat the 49er's so in my book it can be called successful! I've got the Panther black and teal covered, and a touch of the football leather as well with a background created using some vintage seam binder's tape. Oh, and a bit of a wish thrown in there too for good measure!

The next play is Lisa, then Lynnette, Kelly Marie and the fourth quarter finale of Brandi (if you came mid-quarter)! I'll leave you with a couple of my very own Panthers.

Supplies Used: 
Cardstock: (Basic Black) SU, (White) Georgia Pacific, (Teal) Recollections
Ink: (Vintage Photo Distress) Ranger
Embellishments: (Sticker Sentiment) SRM Stickers, (Baker's Twine), (Metal Tag), (Decorative Tape) Pink Paislee, (Seam Tape)
Other: (Labels Four Nestabilities) Spellbinders

Put A Little...

Think of your fellow man / Lend him a helping hand  / Put a little love in your heart / You see it's getting late / Oh please don't hesitate  / Put a little love in your heart / And the world will be a better place  / And the world will be a better place  / For you and me  / You just wait and see... Put A Little Love In Your Heart (Annie Lennox duet with Al Green)
Couldn't help but think of that song while making this card for the Scrappy Saturday Challenge over at Wee Memories! It is similar in design to the card here, but this time I've embossed the Schlosser Design's circles from Circle-A-Thon and added a few more layers, a put a little pink in the design with the ribbon tab. Some might recognize these as the colors for a recent submission call, I still had them out and realized how perfect it would be for the challenge (I actually like this one better than the one I submitted). So all in all, the card came together quickly,  gotta love that!

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: (White) Georgia Pacific
Patterned Paper: (Olivia) Basic Grey
Stamps, clear: (Circle-A-Thon, Furnishing Fun) Schlosser Designs
Ink: (Watermark) Versamark
Embellishments: (Pink Grosgrain Ribbon) SU, (Rhinestone) Hero Arts
Other: (White Embossing Powder) SU, Thread

Those Big Brown Eyes

I'm thankful for those two sets of big, brown eyes, each belonging to individual boys with distinct personalities. I'm thankful for when those big, brown eyes look to me thinking that I can fix the world, or know all the answers. I'm thankful for when those big, brown eyes stop tearing up when I kiss them and tell them that their owies will be ok. I'm thankful for my two boys with those big brown eyes....

The Shabby Tea Room requested a mention what we are thankful for in our post with our entry. I used their photo as inspiration for colors and came across the focal image scrap while cleaning my craft closet. Not sure why it didn't make its way onto the intended card, but I'm happy with it now!

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: (White) Georgia Pacific (Green) CTMH
Patterned Paper: (Kioshi) Basic Grey
Stamps, clear: (Woodgrain Silhouette Additions, Funky Flowers) Wplus9
Ink: (Certainly Celery Pigment) SU, (Antique Linen Distress) Ranger
Embellishments: (Rustic Twine) PTI (Melon Grosgrain Ribbon) Offray

Already

Already you can tell she is going to be like her mother. Headstrong. Trendy. Fashionable. Already you can tell that she will be Affectionate. Caring. Graceful. Yes, she's a little diva through and through!

This duo was created with the Embellish Magazine's Color Bag Challenge in mind. I had received some wonderful "Winter Slush" goodies from Gauche Alchemy from a giveaway at the very talented Yvonne's Blog and had fun embellishing the top of the bag. (I just received word that Gauche Alchemy is having a 30% off sale on everything in the store Wednesday 11/17 through to Saturday 11/20.... The code is PATIENCE30)! Lovin' the contrast between the soft pink and hot pink-it just says diva to me! Also lovin' the natural elements with the unusual colors, so totally unlike something I normally do. (Lesson also learned to also make sure your photos are good and clear before filling your bag and giving it to its new owner!)

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: (White) Georgia Pacific (Black) SU
Stamps, clear: (Woodgrain Silhouettes) Wplus9
Ink: (Onyx Black) Versafine (Pretty in Pink, Basic Gray Pigment) SU
Embellishments: (Silver Fibers, Gray Tag, Grommet) Gauche Alchemy, (Black Polka Ribbon) May Arts, (Vintage Pink Glimmer Mist) Tattered Angels, (Hot Pink Grosgrain) Offray, (Black Grosgrain) SU
Other: (White Bag) no source

Ring Around the Rosie

She grabbed the hands across from her and gripped them tight. They both gave full trust in each other and closed their eyes as they started to move around and around. Slowly at first, then quicker...then fast, faster! "Ring around the rosie, a pocket full of posies, ashes, ashes, we all fall down!"

Hmm, I remember one time someone telling me the meaning behind this nursery rhyme, perhaps I subconsciously made it a get welI card! I combined two challenges for the basis of my card. The soft color palette comes from the beautiful inspiration picture at Off the Wall Craftiness and the CAS layout from Artful Delight's Challenge (ASC 2). I love the versatile round designs from Schlosser Design's new stamp set, Circle-A-Thon.

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: (Vintage Cream) PTI, (White) Georgia Pacific
Stamps: (Circle-A-Thon) Schlosser Designs, (sentiment from Teeny Trees) Waltzingmouse Stamps
Ink: (Pretty in Pink Pigment) Stampin' Up!, (Vintage Photo and Antique Linen Distress) Ranger, (Watermark) Versamark
Embellishments: (Rustic Twine) PTI, (Rhinestones) Michaels
Other: (Honey Dew and Vintage Pink Glimmer Mist) Tattered Angels, (Clear Embossing Powder) Stampin' Up
Tools: (Circle Punch) Creative Memories

Oliver

The story chronicles a boy's life as he finds courage, a family, joy and love. It's a classic and it warms my heart reading this story, about this Oliver Twist.

It's time for another Limelight Papercraft's Sketch Challenge with a twist to focus on your favorite patterned paper! I recently discovered this adorable boy pack available at Limelight, Oliver by Basic Grey (which happens to be on sale at the store!). Yes, a-dorable! I made a few clean and simple, easy to mail thank you cards for a mama-of a baby boy-to be to send out after he's born. (Thanks to the very talented Valerie for reminding me about the cute little safety pins, perfect for baby cards!)

Check out what the other Limelight gals have in store for you-Mandy, Lisa, JenMarie,  and Lynn. Post YOUR creation on Mandy's blog- I'd love to check out what papers strike your fancy right now! Oh, and did I mention that a random winner will receive a sticker prize package from Limelight?!!!

A quick thanks on my part to all those veterans that have served for our country and to make life free for my boys. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Supplies Used:
Patterned Paper: (Monkey and Train Paper from Oliver Collection, Green Paper from Green at Heart, Blue Paper from Kioshi Collection) Basic Grey
Stamps: (Thank You) Heidi Grace, (Fillable Frames #2) PTI
Ink: (Basic Grey Pigment) Stampin' Up!
Embellishments: (Bakers Twine), (Green Rhinestones) Mark Richards, (Gold Safety Pin)
Tools: (Labels 4 Nestabilities) Spellbinders

All Bark, No Bite

Sometimes she comes across as a bit harsh. Sometimes she can get a bit grouchy. But my oh my, does she have the most beautiful and loving soul. She would do anything for anyone without a blink of an eye. What's that term called, all bark and no bite? This card is to thank her for all she has done in the past few months for me, without her I'm not sure how I would have gotten through some rough times.

The colors are derived from Wplus9's latest Color Cue Challenge-the deadline is today so I'm quickly fitting this in!


Supplies Used:
Cardstock: (White) Georgia Pacific
Stamps: (Peacock and Border from Magical Moments) Wplus9, (sentiment from Mega Mixed Messages) PTI
Ink: (Going Gray Pigment) SU, (Versamark)
Embellishments: (Rhinestone Ribbon), (Vintage Pink Glimmer Mist) Tattered Angels
Tools: (White Embossing Powder) SU, (Black Pen) Pilot

How Many Cards?

How many cards can a cardmaker make...out of one 12x12 sheet of patterned paper?

I'm tickled to stay on another month as a Guest Designer for Limelight Papercrafts! Mandy has issued one doozy of a challenge: Use one piece of 12x12 paper and create a card set with different designs. Oh, yeah, I think that Mandy might not have known my fear of patterned paper. But low and behold, I made six cards using one sheet of patterned paper, Crate Papers Sweet Branch Rubons, six cardstock bases, a scrap of neutral paper, some Kaiser Rhinestones and distress ink!

Here's my recipe, including some leftovers (I was getting tuckered out, but I could have made many more cards...)! I think these would look splendid wrapped together utilizing some of the leftover paper and given as a gift.

Hop on over to the blogs of Mandy, Lisa, JenMarie,  and Lynn -they have fantastic interpretations to share as well!

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: (Kraft, Vintage Cream) PTI, (Cream) The Paper Company
Patterned Paper: (Stripes from Earth Love Collection) Cosmo Cricket
Ink: (Vintage Photo Distress) Ranger
Embellishments: (Sweet Branch Rubons) Crate Paper, (Champagne Rhinestones) Kaiser
Tools: (Scalloped Border Punch) Fiskars, (Circle Punch) Creative Memories
Other: Thread

A Star

Making the cheer squad. An exemplary test score.  An engagement. A promotion. A pregnancy....
She is a Star and Congratulations are in order.

I am smitten with the star from Rejoice! -one of the stamp sets released today from Practicing Creativity Designs- and knew that it would be awesome when used in a completely different setting than the holidays. I studded this card up with everything shiny that I had to create that awestruck feeling-Glimmer Mist, Stickles and Rhinestones! A large sentiment from Chatterbox completes the look. I also just love how the misting makes an everyday, upcycled object, such as the inside of an envelope, look spectacular and oh so different!

(Check out what Amy Duff can do with upcycled items...she is having a challenge as the guest designer on Yvonne's blog!)

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: (White) Georgia Pacific
Stamps: (Star from Rejoice!, sentiment from Chatterbox) Practicing Creativity Designs
Ink: (Onyx Black) Versafine
Embellishments: (Rhinestones) Hero Arts, (Vintage Pink Glimmer Mist) Tattered Angels, (Ice Stickles) Ranger
Other: (Envelopes)

Place Setting Cards

Having heard most of my life that I need to wear a name tag to distinguish myself from my identical twin sister, I'm not one to do a lot with projects that identify names. But...the newest set from Practicing Creativity Designs has this awesome panel that was perfect for a place setting card!

This is so super easy to do! Stamp the panel image on cardstock and score the top edge, being careful to avoid the raised circle portion. Trim the panel on the two sides and bottom. Trim around the circle portion only and fold. I've added embossing, glitter strips and bling for a bit of shine to match the plates I've had since my college days.

The rest of the gals (Paulina, Courtney and Dana) have some super projects to show you as well from this release, and both sets are available at midnight!

The cobalt color is so fun to work with, as seen by the latest Tuesday Trigger over at Moxie Fab World! I knew there was a reason that I liked cobalt blue dishes! (Thanks Brandi!)

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: (White) Georgia Pacific
Stamps: (Everyday Prints) Practicing Creativity Designs, (Mom from Roses in Bloom) Waltzingmouse Stamps
Ink: (Night of Navy, Ballet Blue Pigment) SU, (Onyx Black) Versafine, (Watermark) Versamark
Embellishments: (Snow Glitter) Martha Stewart, (Rhinestone) Prima

You Statements

**This is my second post for today, for the Schlosser Design Blog Hop Release, please click here!**

A note tucked in his brown paper lunch sack. A handwritten message stuck in the zippered pouch of his away bag. A piece of love slipped in between the dollar bills of his wallet. Little pieces of compassion and care can go a long way.

This technique was too intriguing to not try and the big, bold sentiments from the second Practicing Creativity Design's release this month were thee perfect match to compliment the mottled backgrounds. I've got to say, the interactivity of Everyday Prints is boundless! For these sweet little notes, I pulled out the big YOU and brought in different corresponding words to stamp on the background. I finished the look off with some wide ribbon.

Courtney, Dana and Paulina also have some wonderful examples of this set, and please stop back tomorrow for  another peak!

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: (White and Ivory) Georgia Pacific
Stamps: (Everyday Prints) Practicing Creativity Designs
Ink: (Pixie Pink, Only Orange, Old Olive, Tempting Turquoise Pigment) SU, (Antique Linen, Vintage Photo) Ranger
Embellishments: (Red & Ivory Striped Ribbon) May Arts (Green and Pink Striped Ribbon) May Arts

Schlosser Design Blog Hop

Erin from Schlosser Designs has come out with another three sets of fabulous stamps! Today I'm featuring a clean and simple card using Circle-A-Thon. I can tell that it will see as much love as Hexagon-A-Thon...so many possibilities!

One stamp, six chalk inks and some stitching to create a sense of movement and intrigue. Wouldn't this be fabulous as a set with blues, greens and oranges and a quick swap of the sentiment?!

Thanks for visiting and leaving a comment today! Your next stop is the wonderfully talented Jessica!

Just in case you need it, here's the order of the Hop today. Please be sure to comment on each of the team member's blogs-not only do we love to read your thoughts, one random commenter will will three of the winner's favorite sets!
Schlosser Designs
Laurel
Karen (that's me!)
Jessica
Michele
Tiffany
Tenia
Bonnie Rose
Tina  


Here's some information on the new sets!
Joyeux Noel (a limited edition set): 12 stamps. The tree image in this set measures 1 3/4" x 2 1/2"
Autumn Blessings (a limited edition set): 13 stamps including a make your own argyle. This set also includes some interchangeable sentiments. The stitched border stamp measures 2" x 3"
Circle-A-Thon: 12 stamps. Sentiments fit perfectly inside a 1 3/4" circle punch. The smaller patterned circles fit inside 1" punch.  Great for layering, backgrounds, etc. 
 
Be on the lookout at Schlosser Designs for some specials next week as well!   

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: (Kraft) SU
Stamps: (Circle-A-Thon, Furnishing Fun) Schlosser Designs
Ink: (Rose Chalk Que) Colorbox, (Onyx Black) Versafine
Other: Thread 

The Manger

I held my swaddled tight and comfy warm newborn in my arms, and as we rocked in the chair, I read to him the Story of Christmas. There's not a better story out there that holds so much symbolism, so much hope for the future, especially during the holiday season.

The stamped scripture verse dictated my design of this clean and simple card, and I went quite symbolic with my embellishment choices. I included a strip of wood to represent the manger, ivory rustic twine to represent the swaddling cloths and the staples to represent the hardship that the three of them faced and will have to face during their lives.

Here's a close up of the lovely verse that is included in the newest release from Practicing Creativity Designs!:

I completed the inside of the card as well, with a beautiful passage from the same set:

Hop on over to the inspirational blogs of Paulina, Dana to see some amazing projects with this same set and you definitely don't want to miss stopping by Courtney's blog! 

Supplies Used:
Cardstock: (Vintage Cream) PTI
Stamps: (Rejoice!) Practicing Creativity Designs
Ink: (Vintage Photo Distress) Ranger
Patterned Paper: (Pyrus) Basic Grey
Embellishments: (Ivory Twine) May Arts, (Staples), (Wood)
Tools: (Circle Cutting System) Creative Memories