CAS Christmas Card - Snowstar

     I'm playing along this weekend in Core'dinations ColorCore Cardstock online crop and getting a head start on my Christmas cards.

      Those who know me would tell you that I almost always use non-traditional colors for my Christmas cards - like this purple, blue and white card. The object of this challenge is to create a clean-and-simple card with a sentiment and two or less embellishments. As you see, I only used one which I call a snowstar.
     To get the snowflake brad (the Paper Studio) to shine, I laid it on the back side of a 5 x 7" grape panel from Core'dinations' Nostalgia collection. I marked the arms of the snowflake and then scored from the back along those lines. I did a little sanding and my snowflake, I mean snowstar, shines!
     I heat-embossed the sentiment (Fiskars) with white pigment and white embossing powder. I lightly sanded the edges of the tag to make it stand out against the same color background. To finish, I adhered the panel to a white card base.
     Thanks so much for stopping in today. There is still lots of time left if you want to play along with us. See the Master Challenge List here: http://www.coredinations.com/index.php/2013/10/31/master-challenge-list/

Christmas Tags

UPDATE:   I'm excited to learn my tags won in their category! You can check out all the other winners here:    http://www.coredinations.com/index.php/2013/11/12/hard-core-crop-winnners-in-here/

  I'm playing along this weekend in Core'dinations ColorCore Cardstock online crop and getting a head start on my Christmas tags.

     The object of this challenge was to create at least two tags and to stamp on the tags. I used an olive green and three shades of rosy red from Core'dinations Nostalgia collection to make my tags. I used embossing folders(the Paper Studio) to create the quatrefoil and dotted textures. I used a combination of dies(Spellbinders)  and punches (Fiskars) to make the embellishments. I heat-embossed the sentiment (Cosmo Cricket) with white pigment and white embossing powder. Added a giant diamond (real, of course) and some ribbons. Two tags down and lots more to go.
     There is lots of time left to get your projects in if you want to play along with us. The Challenge Master List is here:  http://www.coredinations.com/index.php/2013/10/31/master-challenge-list/

DCWV June Stack-a-holic Card Sketch Challenge

    Update: My card made the TOP-10 List again at DCWV! Check out all the winners here: http://dcwvinc.blogspot.com/2013/07/june-stack-holic-template-challenge-top.html

 It is already time for another monthly challenge with DCWV! I don't know where the time goes.

          I used DCWV's Homespun Cardstock Stack for this card. I love this stack and the texture of the cardstock. I cut cupcake liners from five different colors. Don't they look just like real cupcake liners!?! Using Fiskars' cloud punch, I punched 'icing' out of the white in the stack. I added sprinkles with markers of the same colors and dotted them here and there and also sprinkled the sentiment panel. I cut the candles at an angle across the yellow cardstock that matches the card base. I added a little shiny gold to light the candle. The individual glitter squares are in this same stack too! It's a great stack!
     There is still plenty of time if you want to answer DCWV's challenge this month. Here's the template and address to get all the details http://dcwvinc.blogspot.com/2013/06/june-stack-holic-template-challenge.html

     Thanks so much for stopping by. I love sharing my cards with you.

CAS-ual Fridays' Red, White and Blue Challenge CFC102

     Thanks so much for stopping by this weekend. Hope you are all getting a long weekend and spending time with family and friends.

      In honor of Memorial Day, CAS-ual Fridays issued a challenge for a card using red, white & blue. Beginning with a white card-base (4.25x5.5), I trimmed 1/8" red and blue strips from cardstock. Then, I stamped 'Hello' in red and punched the petal shape using Fiskars extra large Petal by Petal punch. I also punched a petal in red and another in blue. As you can see, I glued them together with just a sliver of each color showing from behind the sentiment. I adhered the finished petal with foam tape and rounded the bottom corners of the card.   

     There is still plenty of time to play along with us. You can find all details here: http://cas-ualfridays.blogspot.com/2013/05/cfc102.html

An Ombre Challenge

     Cath has some great challenges over in the Moxie Fab World this month. I created this card for the Ombre Challenge.

     I made the ombre border using Fiskars' new pinwheel punch. The rebel in me is always looking to use my punches for purposes other than those for which they were intended. Using a variety of shades of purple cardstock, I overlapped and interlocked the flat pinwheels. Once I had them together, I ran the strip through my Xyron sticker maker and adhered them to my card. 
     The sentiment is from Fiskars Friends Forever Quotes collection. I used ColorBox's chalk in Wisteria which matched my lightest purple exactly.
     I have another border to show you that I make with this same punch. I'll get that card up one day soon.
     Thanks so much for stopping by.

Thought Bubble Chipboard Card

     Thanks for stopping back in. This is the last card for today. Well, I think it is. One never knows when inspiration will strike. I created this card for CAS-ual Fridays CFC94 Chipboard Challenge as well as the Thought Bubble Challenge in the Moxie Fab World.

     I've been playing around with my new pinwheel punch from Fiskars. I punched several turquoise and purple pinwheels and overlapped and seated them together to make my border trim. I have another way I do this too that looks different, but you'll have to wait for the next challenge. I did not have a chipboard to fit this card so I made one by using some thin cardboard. I heat-embossed the thought-buble tag with the fun HI from Studio G.

     There is still time to enter both challenges. Check out the details here:

 

     For CAS-ual Fridays go here: http://cas-ualfridays.blogspot.com/2013/03/cfc94.html

 

     For the Moxie Fab challenge go here: http://www.moxiefabworld.com/2013/03/card-creations-week-speech-bubble.html

 

  

Tuesday Trigger - Elegant Emerald

         Emerald green is all the rage lately! It is a gorgeous and elegant color, isn't it!?! This week in the Moxie Fab World, we are playing with emerald green for the Tuesday Trigger challenge.

 

 

     I found this wonderful emerald green butterfly in the Paper Studio's Rue de Fleur collection. It's perfect for this challenge, don't you think. The subtle sheet-music in the background is so fitting for the sentiment from Fiskars.

     Take a look at this inspiration photo from Cath and see if it doesn't inspire you to create. There's still time to play so jump right in and get your fingers inky. Check out all the details here:   http://www.moxiefabworld.com/2013/03/tuesday-trigger-elegant-emerald.html

 



Tuesday Trigger - Pattern Play

        Hope you are having a good day while you are out and about on the web. I have a card for you today that I made for the Tuesday Trigger Challenge in the Moxie Fab World. 

      I love the inspiration photo (below) Cath provided this time. It's gorgeous! I was really drawn to the embroidered circles. And, those colors - so very Moxie! I picked out a light purple that matches one of the circles and the center teal-y blue to go with it. To give my circles some demension like in the photo, I made fan-fold flowers. Before folding the bigger purple flower, I ran a teal-y marker down the strip giving the look of embroidery. Oh, I should have made a wavy line! Wouldn't that have been so very Moxie!?! Too late now- maybe next time. To give some balance to the card, I ran one score line down the left side of the front. Then, I ran several scores, each one longer the the previous, down the right side of the card.

     I slipped a heart punched with Fiskars That's Amore punch under each flower letting it just peak out to begin the stems. I made the leaves with the same heart punch by snipping each heart in half. I stamped my Hero Art sentiment (CL342 )with ColorBox chalk in wisteria on a tag. I ran the edges of the tag across ColorBox chalk in arctic deep. I did not intend to make a tag but instead to stamp directly on the card, but I messed it up. I was so mad at myself! I was not about to start over so I added a tag. Looks okay, but would have been better without the mess up. I don't know why I am telling you all this.

     Thanks so much for stopping by! If you have an inspired idea after seeing the trigger photo, you can play along with us. Details are here:  http://www.moxiefabworld.com/2013/02/tuesday-trigger-pattern-play.html



 

Tuesday Trigger Inspiration Photo
 

 

 

CAS-ual Fridays Gift-Tag Challenge CFC80

     Thanks so much for stopping by again. This week CAS-ual Fridays challenged us to make gift tags. I love this challenge because it makes me make nice tags for my Christmas gifts. Thanks CAS-ual!

      I love blue and white for Christmas projects! I cut my tag from cardstock and scored an 1/8th inch line on all sides of the tag. I stamped the sentiment and the snowflake around the hole at the top with white pigment. I stamped and fussy-cut three poinsettias. I adhered maroon gems at the centers and attached the blooms with foam tape. I slipped on matching maroon ribbon at the top. I almost always decorate my punched holes on tags. I think it adds such a nice touch.

     Wishing you all a merry Christmas!

     I just added this tag to Paper Crafts December Gallery Challenge too.

Keen on Neon Tribute to Grannie

     I created this card for the Keen on Neon Holiday Challenge in the Moxie Fab World. Cath really had me thinking on this one, but I had fun! Here's my neon green and orange Christmas card.

     I remember fondly Grannie's silver Christmas tree. I'm sure you all have memories of those shiny trees. Well, I loved her tree. She had a color wheel she would sit underneath the tree. When she turned it on, gorgeous color shafts played through the branches! So of course, I had to create a silver tree on my card. I used silver pigment with kaleidoscope powder to heat emboss the tree. Then, I hung neon green and orange ornaments on my tree. I also heat-embossed the sentiment using neon orange pigment and kaleidoscope powder for more spakle. I made the 'star' at the top with left over 'V's from an alphabet sticker sheet.

    Grannie would have loved my tree. I miss her very much.

     Do you have an idea using neon? There is still plenty of time to join in the fun. Check out the details here: http://www.moxiefabworld.com/2012/11/the-keen-on-neon-challenge.html



Keen on Neon Holiday Challenge

     There is a fun challenge going on in the Moxie Fab World over at Paper Crafts. Cath issued a challenge to make Holiday cards, gift tags, etc. using neon colors. I created these gift tags a little while back. They are neon orange and dark turquoise. Who says you can't use non-traditional colors for the season? In fact, that really appeals to the rebel in me. I have another contribution coming up shortly.

     I used Fiskars stamps and crimper to make these tags.

     There's still time to join in the fun if you have an idea to add to the collection. Check out the details here: http://www.moxiefabworld.com/2012/11/the-keen-on-neon-challenge.html

DCWV November Card Sketch Challenge

     Update: November 30, 2012 - Just found out that DCWV chose this card as one of their TOP-10 cards for November!

     Thanks so much for stopping by! Hope you are having a great day.
     It's time for another Card Sketch Challenge at DCWV. You can see the inspiration sketch as well as the blog address below. Here's my take on the challenge.

     I used DCWV's The Heirloom Stack to create my card. As you can see from the sketch, I turned it on its side. First, I trimmed and matted a darker, multicolored panel with a golden, wheat-colored paper to cover the entire front of a plain, white 7x5 card. Then, I picked five coordinating papers from the stack to make the pleated medallions.

     Each medallion began as a 3/4" x 12" strip of paper. I scored each piece every 1/4" and folded it using accordion fold. I punched medium hearts from the same papers using Fiskars' That's Amore punch. I added a sentiment from Fiskars' Friends Forever Quotes and added a flourish from Spellbinders' Parisian Accents.

     I had lots of fun making this card. You should definitely give medallions a try. There is still plenty of time to get your card in if you are so inclined. Check out the details here:

http://dcwvinc.blogspot.com/2012/11/november-stack-holic-template-challenge.html

CAS-ual Fridays So Torn Challenge CFC78

     Thanks so much for stopping in today! I hope your day is as sunny and bright as mine.
     CAS-ual Fridays challenged us this week to make a project with a torn element. Here's my take on the challenge.

     I've been making Christmas cards this week so I took the challenge in that direction. First I made a 4.25 x 5.5 card out of black cardstock. Then, I cut a piece of dark red cardstock 4 x 5.25 and dry embossed it with A2 Quatrefoil embossing folder from the Paper Studio. I tore the bottom edge and added black ribbon and sparkly buckle also from the Paper Studio Spare Parts. The sentiment is from Fiskars All Year Cheer Collection.
     I think Mom will get this card. She loves anything shiny and red!
     Thanks so much for stopping by. If you have an idea for a torn-edge project, you still have time to get it ready. You can find all the details here: http://cas-ualfridays.blogspot.com/2012/11/cfc78.html.

Alphabet Stickers Challenge

Jingle Bells Rock!

 

I made this card for the Alphabet Stickers Challenge in the Moxie Fab World.

I started by making a 4.25" x 5.5" card out of dark red cardstock. Using Fiskars' medium Jingle All The Way punch, I punched 12 bells - 6 in white, 6 in gold. I glued the bells together leaving just a hint of the gold to peak out the side to give dimension to the bells. I used EK Success Sticko stickers in gold glitter to spell out 'JINGLE'. I adhered a white ribbon bow and streamer and set the bells along the streamer with foam tape for a bit more dimension. To finish off, I rounded the bottom corners.

If you have an inspiration using sticker letters and want to join in the fun, you can check out the details here:  http://www.moxiefabworld.com/2012/10/paper-crafting-tips-tricks-week.html

 

Fiskateers Third Annual ORANGE Blog Hop

     Welcome to the Third Annual Fiskateers ORANGE Blog Hop! If you're hopping along, you should have come from Donna #6036 www.scissorsstampsandscrapbooks.blogspot.com/  (If you are joining us in the middle, go to www.fiskateers.com to start from the beginning.) Today we are celebrating Fiskars' signature color, ORANGE. Almost everyone is familiar with Fiskars' famous orange-handled scissors, but Fiskars makes so many other wonderful products for crafting, sewing, gardening, and more. Each stop along our Hop will feature different Fiskars' products with a big helping of ORANGE! There will also be a giveaway from Fiskars for a lucky few who visit all the hops. And, I have a prize to giveaway too! Make sure you read this post all the way to the bottom for info on how to enter.
    
     Orange Christmas? Yes, of course, you can use orange - and turquoise - for Christmas! I'm a bit of a rebel when it comes to expected colors and using stamps and punches for their intended purpose. So, when I was asked to join this blog hop and the rules said I had to use orange I thought why can't I use orange for my Christmas tags. Here's my take on the challenge.

     The rectangle tag measures 2.5" x 5.5" and the circle tag is 4" across. I used four different Fiskars products to make these tags, but you should feel free to change them in any way and make them your own. Let's take a closer look at the round one.

1.  Cut a 4" circle in turquoise cardstock and run it through a crimper. 

2.  Cut a 3.5" circle in orange cardstock.

3.  Line up the two circles and punch holes for the ribbon.

4.  Stamp turquoise snowflakes of your choice on the orange circle making

      sure to stamp one over the hole you just punched. Allow some of the

      snowflakes to fall past the edge of the circle. Also stamp flourishes

      as desired.

5.  Adhere circles together with foam tape.

6.  Stamp sentiment, mat with crimped turquoise and adhere with foam tape.

7.  Apply turquoise gems to snowflake centers and tie on ribbon.

Supply list is at the end of this post.

 

Now for my giveaway! I have a Fiskars border punch to give to a lucky blog-hopper. All you have to do to enter is sign up as a follower of my blog and leave a comment on this blog post. If you are already a follower, you may just leave a comment letting me know you were here and are a follower.

     Thanks so much for hopping with me today. It's always fun to have you stopping by.

    

 For more information about Fiskars and the Fiskateer program, you can go to http://www.fiskateers.com/join/. Now, hop along to the next stop! Shannon #6394 www.scraplady324.blogspot.com

Supply List

Fiskars Simple Stick rubber stamps from the Vintage Christmas collection

Fiskars Simple Stick rubber stamps from the Winter Wishes collection
Fiskars Simple Stick rubber stamps from the Seasons Greetings collection
Fiskars crimping tool
DCWV orange cardstock
Stampin Up turquoise cardstock
Martha Stewart circle cutter
EK Success corner rounder
ColorBox turquoise pigment ink
Studio G gems
Offray ribbon
foam tape

Don't Miss the Fun

   My blog will be a hop along the way! I'll have directions here on how to start at the beginning or you can just visit my site. Looking forward to sharing some fun things with you guys!

Tuesday Trigger Val de Victorian Challenge

     Time for another Tuesday Trigger in the Moxie Fab World. I've been working on Christmas cards lately, so when I saw the inspiration (see it below) Cath provided us this time with the tall, skinny, pointy-roof houses all bunched up together I got an idea for this Christmas card.

     Using stamps from Fiskars' Seasons Greetings collection, I stamped 'MERRY' randomly on the blue background with VersaMark watermark ink. I heat-embossed 'Christmas' (from same collection) in white, matted it with white cardstock and adhered it to the card with foam tape. The trees are also heat-embossed using ColorBox's Cyan pigment and clear embossing powder. The trees are actually a varitey of upside down flags I stamped using Hero Arts Friendly Flags (CL475) collection. I attached the tallest tree using foam tape. 

     There is still time to join in on all the fun. Check out this inspiration image and click on the address for all the details. http://www.moxiefabworld.com/2012/10/tuesday-trigger-val-de-victorian.html

 

 

DCWV October Card Sketch Challenge

UPDATE: November 2, 2011- I'm so excited! I just found out that this card made it to the TOP-10 list at DCWV! 

     I've been working on Christmas cards this week. I made this one for the October Card Sketch Challenge at DCWV. I used The Coral Couture Stack for this card. I love using unexpected colors for my Christmas cards. While the peach with shiny, gold dots is very Christmasy, I don't see a lot of Christmas cards with coral and mint green. I created the ornaments with my Fiskars That's Amore large heart punch. These ornaments also fold flat so that I can mail the card. I heat embossed the sentiment using stamps from Fiskars Season's Greetings collection.
    There's lots of time left for this challenge, so if you have a card idea you can find all the info here:
http://dcwvinc.blogspot.com/2012/10/october-stack-holic-challenge.html
 Here's a copy of the sketch Erin at DCWV gave us to work from this month.

     Thanks so  much for stopping in today. Your comments are so encouraging.

Purple Christmas

     Easel cards are so much fun to make! I made this purple and blue Christmas card through a long string of challenges with another Fiskateer. Don't know what a Fiskateer is? Click on that button over there on the left. We have so much fun there!

I used stamps from both Inkadinkado and Fiskars. I stamped the doily and sentiments with white ink. The patterned paper comes from the Paper Studio. Every year I try to choose colors for my Christmas cards that people don't expect like this one that is purple and blue. I've also done turquoise and white which are beautiful together. Thanks for stopping by.

 

- - - WCMD WINNER - - -

    Congratulations to Amy Jones (8546)! She is the winner of my World Card Making Day giveaway. Amy has won some Fiskars Simple Stick stamps and a few other goodies to help fill up the package.
     Here's Amy's best card making tip: " . . . don't be afraid to mix and match colors. Some colors really do go great with each other more than you thought. The simplest card can be just as pretty too."
     Thanks to everyone who entered and left tips. There were so many great ones.
     Amy, I will send you a private email to get your mailing info.