Holiday Thinking Inking - Week 5

Alcohol Inks and Watercolor Paper?? I was a bit skeptical to be honest. But since Jennifer McGuire's technique classes had never led me astray before, I gave it a try. You can too by following that link over to the class at 2peas. Anyway, I wondered what would be the worst that would happen if I didn't like the results...another paper would end up in the recycable bag...no loss there. So I cut my watercolor paper to size, chose my ink colors, and loaded up the felt applicator. The result I got was AMAYZING!! I actually think I preferr alcohol inks on watercolor paper to glossy paper...hands down!! Oh wait, I forgot a step...I did do some heat embossing with white embossing powder before using those alcohol inks...just like Jennifer did. Anyway, I figure I should get around to showing you my results!!

I chose make a Thanksgiving card instead of a Christmas card for this project...I sure hope that's OK, and somehow I am sure it is!! I chose alcohol inks in fall colors to go along with the theme of the card. I miss fall so much so this was very fun to make!! Since I am originally from Central New York, I was very used to four distinct seasons. Now that I live in Central Florida, that's the one thing I miss most. I don't miss the snow too much except in the days leading up to and following Christmas (I don't think I will ever get used to above freezing temperatures on Christmas no matter how long I live here). I do, however, miss the fall and spring. I miss the changing leaves and the vibrant colors of fall, and the new buds and colorful flowers awakening from a long slumber in the spring. And you just can't beat the 70's and low 80's in the summer (as compared to high 90's with 100% humidity in Florida). I am not trying to bash Florida...I just really miss having four distinct seasons...did I say that already. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the card!!

I will be back tomorrow with my latest creation for the Papertrey Playhouse Challenge!! Single Layer Cards...LOVE them!! Until then, thanks for stopping by!!
Deb

Supplies:
Cardstock: Simply Chartreuce (Papertrey Ink); Solar White (Neenah); Watercolor Paper (Michaels)
Ink: Tuxedo Black , Versamark (Tsukineko); Lettuce, Cranberry, Caramel, Ginger (Alcohol Inks by Ranger); Copper (Alcohol Ink Mixative by Ranger); Ink Blending Soltuion (Ranger); Antique Linen, Walnut Stain (Distress Ink by Ranger)
Embossing Powder: White (American Crafts)
Stamps: Harvest Season (Lawn Fawn); Friend Definition (Hero Arts); Fall Elegance (Papertrey Ink)
Die: Mat Stack #3 (Papertrey Ink)
Other: Various Copics

Happy Holidays

Ok, so Card #5 features a banner senitment and three different snowflakes...at least that's how Kristina Werner made the card. I attempted the banner with some Lawn Fawn stamps, but had a major issue spelling Holidays (yep...totally spelled it hoidaies...how does that happen??)!!! So I took some scrap cardstock and cut it to size...and very very quickly made that DISAPPEAR!! That's my funny for the day that's for sure!! But I love how mistakes can be quickly covered up and made as if it never happened. In fact, if I hadn't mentioned it, you likely would never know I made a mistake!! Love that about papercrafting!!

For the snowflakes, I used the 2010 Holiday Tag Set from Papertrey Ink. Love that I could just easily punch these out with my 1 3/4 inch circle punch!! Totally made this very easy. I used the Sugar Plum Pattern paper and a strip of Ripe Avocado from Papertrey Ink as well. Finally broke out my Tim Holtz Scalloped Edge Sizzix die too. Can I just say that I am in LOVE with this die!! I will be using it again VERY soon!! I love the uneven scallop!! I chose inks that matched the pattern paper (Plum Pudding, Ripe Avocado, and Pure Poppy...all by Papertrey Ink) for the snowflakes and then whipped out my Signature Greetings (Papertrey Ink too) set for the sentiment. Love this card design, even without the banner sentiment!

That's it for Kristina's Holiday Card series for this week. Please be sure to check out her blog for tons of inspiration!!

I will be back tomorrow with a Thanksgiving card that I made for the Holiday Thinking Class over at 2peas. Until then, thanks for stopping by!!
Deb

Oh, Deer...

So one of my favorite things about the Christmas season is the music, and one of my favorites if Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. Growing up, we used to add in those funny sayings every time it was on the radio...you know the ones (like a light bulb, like monopoly, etc.)!! Still to this day I add those in every time I hear that song!!

So, much to my delight, Kristina featured a reindeer stamp on her Day #4 card of her holiday series!! I was so happy when I saw this, especially because she gave her reindeer a red nose!! I used the same card layout design, but once again, used items from my stash. Here's what I came up with...

My card is 3 1/2 inches wide by 8 1/2 inches tall, which means it will fit into a business sized envelope. I also did some embossing on the red cover of the card, just like Kristina did, but I used my music stamp by Prima (love that stamp)!! And this gives it such a great look. Here's a better shot of the embossing and the sentiment (which, I think, is my new favorite...Big & Bold Holiday Wishes by Papertrey Ink). 

You can kind of see the embossing on the red here, but trust me it looks fabulous in person. Please, if you haven't done so already, go check out the Holiday Card Series over at Kristina's blog. She's such a fantastic papercrafter!!

I'll be back tomorrow with my interpretation of Day #5. Until then, thanks for stopping by!!
Deb

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah

I am a day behind Kristina Werner on her 2010 Holiday Card Series, but I am really having fun playing along...even though there isn't a challenge to do so. I am really happy to be getting a jump start on my holiday cards this year, unlike last year where I was pretty late in getting them done and out, and cutting it very close to getting the cards to their recipients before Christmas Day itself. If you haven't see this series or her 2009 series, go now...really...I will wait!!

I am on Day three of the series, which you can see here from Kristina. I love, love, love the vellum window...so much so that not only did I make a Christmas card, I also made a Hanukkah card!! Here they are...

The sentiment stamps are from Lawn Fawn as is the dreidel, but the cardinal is from My Mind's Eye. Love that little cardinal!! So cute!! Added some sparkle with Diamond Stickles on the cardinal and with a Spica copic on the dreidel.

For the Christmas card I used pattern papers from Teresa Collins and The Girls' Paperie. For the Hanukkah card I used pattern papers from American Crafts Dear Lizzy Christmas collection and a digital Color Couture set from Papertrey ink.

Thanks for stopping by!!
Deb

Merry Christmas

First, I want to take a moment to wish my sister, Melanie, a very Happy Birthday!!

Now, on to Card #2 from Kristina Werner's 2010 Holiday Card Series. Love how this card is a circle and seems to be much more formal than the first card! I must say, I love coming home from a long day at work to the videos. I love this time of year!! The weather is finally starting to cool down (if you think the 70's are cool...which we should be getting here in Florida come Friday). It's starting to feel like the holiday season.

But now on to the card. Again, I used papers and stamps from my stash, changing it a bit, but keeping true to the design. I had fun digging through the stash for just the right papers and just the right stamp. Pulled out some Teresa Collins Noel paper and some Girls' Paperie Tinsel & Twig paper, along with some American Crafts Cardstock, my silhouette, and a Teresa Collins stamp...and I came up with this...

Hoping to find some time to get crafty and play along tomorrow.

Thanks for stopping by!!
Deb

Bring on the Holidays

Ok, so I have been a fan of Kristina Werner's work as a Garden Girl over at twopeasinabucket.com for quite some time, and I think I must have been living under a rock, because I only discovered her personal blog last fall...just in time for her 2009 Holiday Card Series. If you didn't catch the card series last year, I highly recommend checking it out!! Such fun, easy to make cards!! Not to mention that she has a Virtial Card Club kit of all the cards and sketches (a downloadable PDF file) for only $5!! And best of all...she's doing a 2010 Holiday Card Series!!! I was so excited for this series to start!!

I would love to say that I am going to participate in trying to recreate every card that she makes in the series, but I am just not sure that's possible!! I am not sure I could keep up with the pace...but, I am stubborn enough to try!! This is what I made for Day 1...inspired by Kristina's Day 1 card, though I didn't use any of the same supplies that she used...that was my challenge for myself with this year's Holiday Card Series...

That snowman is so cute, don't you think!! I love the design of this card and I couldn't wait to get it made!! Hoping to be back with another card tomorrow...but that will depend on whether or not life gets in the way!!

Thanks for stopping by!
Deb

Supplies:
Cardstock: Ruby Red (Stampin Up!)
Stamps: Snowflakes (Maya Road); Fillable Frames #4, Holiday Spirit Sentiments (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Ruby Red (Stampin Up!); Chestnut Roan (Colobox Chalk Ink); Versamark
Pattern Paper and Die Cut: Colorful Christmas Collection Pack (My Mind's Eye)
Die: Fillable Frames #4 (Papertrey Ink)
Ribbon: Michaels

Papertrey Playhouse Challenge #3

So excited to finally be able to play along with the third challenge over at the Papertrey Playhouse!! Krista was our host for this challenge and she challenged up to use tags on our creations. But not only that...she challenged us to find inspiration from the Papertrey Design Team!! This part was easy for me as I am inspired on a daily basis by the DT and the projects they feature on their personal blogs!! I found the tag part of the challenge to be the most challenging to me. I love tags don't get me wrong, but I often use them more in my scrapbooking than in my cardmaking...so I loved this one...it was a real challenge for me.

Then, I participated in the most recent Papertrey Blog Hop...and holy moly did I love that card that Nichole featured on her blog the day of the Hop. Since I needed a few more Hanukkah cards, I figured this would be a perfect fit. 

Here's what I came up with...

I changed it up a little bit using yet another Clear Card as the base, and I used the new Blueberry Sky with Vintage Cream. I did my stamping with Versamark and Smokey Shadow. My menorah is a little off center (and it only slightly bothers me), but with the tag also being off center, I am trying not to let it bother me too much...not entirely succeeding (and I am thinking I will need to chalk this one up to great effort and recreate it before sending it).

You're likely to see a bunch of Christmas Cards here very soon as I am going to be playing along with one of my favorite papercrafters, Kristina Werner, as she starts up the 2010 Holiday Card Series over on her blog today.

Happy November and thanks for stopping by!!
Deb