Merry Monday Christmas Card Challenge #182

Some may not agree but I think it is pretty safe to say we are getting suspiciously close to the crunch time for Christmas cards. We (Merry Makers) would like to help you along with that. 

There is a brand new Merry Monday Christmas Card Challenge posted, Kathy is our hostess this week and her challenge is to Make a Christmas card with any kind of bird on it. Easy Peasy!

I thought I was being pretty crafty (pun intended) when I used this tiny little row of snowmen with itty birds on them. Alas, I figured most of you don't want to sit with a magnifying glass as you play a 'Where's Waldo" style game with my card. I fixed that little conundrum with this cute little cardinal.

Let's get some details shall we - truth be told I was on a mission this past weekend, I had close to 20 cards on my little too do list. So this card needed to be somewhat simple.

I pulled out the rectangle die cuts - with stitching (of course), I cut out the background and the snowmen. I heat embossed the sentiment in white and then popped the snowmen up with foam tape. I coloured up the cardinal with my new Zig markers (LOVE THEM!) and then fussy cut around the edges and popped it up with foam tape and added Wink of Stella. Then I finished with some silver dots. 

Supplies: White card stock, Designer Paper - Fancy Pants, My Favorite Things - Hand Lettered Holiday, Lawn Fawn - Joy in the Woods, SS Stitched die cuts, dots.

There Merry Monday DT has created some wonderful cards, take a peek and play along.

Thanks for visiting,

Nina

Twins you say

AH, I had this half drafted yesterday then just walk away to do something else. So I  am back today to finish the job, and I have a CAS card for you.

Friends of ours had twins and we need a quick card so I put this little one together. I did a stitched panel and threaded some twine through. These stickers are popped up with foam tape. I added a simple sentiment then used some pick and blue gems.

I need a couple more baby cards for the raffle basket so I might be back again today.

Supplies: White card stock, Daisy Hill stickers, Lawn Fawn - Plus One, twine gems.

Thanks for visiting,

Nina

Faux Textured Metal - Trial #2

I showed you the first card I made using the Faux Textured Metal technique yesterday, this is the second go around. Being as I made them at the same time I think they both had the same downfall.

With this one I used a number of brown distress inks then added a gold brown Pearl Ex for the metallic look. The Pearl Ex worked nicely with the distress inks. I wish the picture showed a little more shimmer.

Supplies: White and brown card stock, Sizzix Thinlets, Memory Box - Mini Gears, distress Inks, Pearl Ex, embossing folder.

Thanks for stopping by,

Nina

Faux Textured Metal - Trial #1

I have been spending some time on YouTube looking at different techniques, I found this Faux Textured Metal one by Jennifer McGuire. I love this look but not sure I pulled it off with my two trial runs.

For this one, I used a number of different green distress inks. I had forgotten how much I like blending with these inks and in this case it was no different. I did not have a Perfect Pearls that would work so I decided to try some Pearl Ex I have had forever.

It worked great, where I think my cards went a little side ways is the sentiments.

Supplies: White and green card stock, Sizzix Thinlets, Memory Box - Stars, distress inks, Pearl Ex, embossing folder.

Thanks for visiting,
Nina

Big Trucks, Simple card

I started on a organizational adventure in my craft room this evening, I expect it to take me awhile but I am looking forward to seeing how it ends up especially after the mess I just made.. :)

In the meantime, the ladies and I had the chance for a second evening to craft together via Google Chat. We are playing along to a challenge that is new to me Wednesday challenge at Simon Says.

I did a card similar to this in the summer but I needed a card for a little man in the raffle basket and this DP was perfect.

I used a simple layout, added some twine and popped up the sentiment I finished with some faux metal sequins that come with adhesive on the backs.

Supplies: White and black card stock, Designer Paper - Echo Park, Papertrey Ink - Birthday Bash, twine, sequins.

So by the ladies blogs, Barb and Judy to see what they have created.

Thanks for stopping by,
Nina

Score! A little hockey.

Blogger is driving me crazy, it keeps messing with my formatting....

Still building on the raffle basket, sports in general will be a bonus I think. I heard today that each department had to build a basket for the raffle so my cards would be added to that.. Being IT our basket is going to hold a MacBook Air and some accessories. We need to go with a movie theme so The "You've Got Mail" still works.

I used a simple layout for the card, a hocky theme DP for the background, I added a embossed panel along the side then finished with some hockey stickers and pucks. The sentiment is printed off from MS Word.

Supplies: White and grey card stock, Designer Paper - Karen Foster Designs, Little B Stickers, embossing folder.

Thanks for stopping by,

Nina

Stitched - Family Challenge

This year has simply flown by, Judy has sent out the first family challenge for 2015.

 

The challenge is to use stitching on our project. I will admit to being relieved at such a simple technique, after all I am not all that talented with the more intricate styles and techniques. So I cheated and used stitched die cuts.

I am continuing to add to the basket I mentioned yesterday. I used a pretty simple layout, I used stitched die cuts for the main panel and the frame. I popped the frame up with foam tape and then added gems to the flowers behind. I had originally heat embossed the sentiment on the back panel but it did not turn out nicely so I used the patch method to cover it up.

Supplies: White and brown card stock, Designer Paper - My Mind's Eye, Hot off the Press - Heartfelt Greetings, SS Stitched die cuts, Gems,

Stop by the following blogs to see what the ladies created, Judy, Barb and Sam.

Thanks for visiting,

Nina

Sunday Stamps #114

What is going on, three posts in one day.. I love it.

I had some wonderful crafty time with my family tonight. So we decided to play along with a challenge that is new to me Sunday Stamps.

I did take a few liberties with this sketch. I added just a little space at the top, then used a scribble die cut in place of the circle.

I stamped and used die cuts for the cupcake holder and the cupcake. I think added some Liquid Pearls and some glitter to the top of the cupcake. I finished with a sentiment along the bottom.

Supplies: White and pink card stock, Designer Paper – Echo Park, Lawn Fawn – You are all I knead, Sizzix die cuts, glitter, Liquid pearls.

Take a look and Barb and Judy’s blogs to see what they created.

Thanks for visiting,

Nina

Fore you

I am going to take a leap, we have a raffle for charity every year a work. I have though about putting a small basket of cards in every year but have never been able to get it together enough to make it happen.

This year though I think I am on my way, I have until Dec 4 to build my little basket and it just might happen. Well it will happen, I committed yesterday when I confirm I would have something to add to the raffle. Yikes!

We have a bunch of golf enthusiasts so I need to but together at least one card with that theme. I found this digital image by Imagine That!, I printed out the golf ball three times, the tee two and layered them all up with foam tape. The golf ball is covered in glossy accents. I finished with some twine. 

Supplies: White and black card stock, Designer Paper - Simple Stories, Imagine That! Digis by Kris - Golf Set, twine.

So glad you stopped by,
Nina

Tuesday Morning Sketches #328

We have a new Tuesday Morning Sketches for you this morning. Our sponsor this week is Sami Stamps.

I need to adjust the sketch layers to make it work with my image but I like how it turned out. I coloured and paper pieced the image and finished with some Wink of Stella, gems and twine.

White card stock, Designer Paper - Echo Park, Sami Stamps - Cozy Cocoa, Taylored Expressions - Create, gems, twine.

The design team has some wonderful creations to share, visit the TMS blog to take a look.

Thanks for stopping by,

Nina

The Challenge #52

I'm back, a second round this Monday. This time I am playing along with The Challenge. I chose a CAS style card. Thank you ladies for choosing my card last week as a Top Pick!

The Challenge is to make a Christmas Card. I die cut the two separate pieces of DP then used ribbon to hide the seam. I two additional pieces of ribbon for the bow. I finished with some green gems to match the thin border.

I was watching a card video the other day and the crafter mentioned she has purged all her ribbon. I found that interesting because to be truthful, I rarely use my copious amounts of ribbon. Ribbon collecting was almost like an obsession, now I have tons, and it is just collecting dust.. and I have moved on to twine :), simple easy and Nina proof.

Do you still use ribbon?

Supplies: White and green card stock, Designer Paper - Echo Park, ribbon, gems, SS Stitched die cuts.

Thanks for visiting,

Nina

Merry Monday Christmas Card Challenge #181

Welcome to a new Monday, we have a new Merry Monday Christmas Card Challenge to share. Who wants to get crafty, this close to the holiday season there is nothing holding back that creativity. You can even put on some holiday tunes and hum along. Tempting isn't it!!

The challenge this week is hosted by Lesley, Make a Christmas card in blue & white with texture!

 



My card is a bit of a crafty Frankenstein card, I had bits and parts left over on my table from other cards and they all just seemed to come together. I had used embossing paste, a stencil and fabulous glitter for the snowflake on a square cut out with a stitched die cut.

So then I went with that theme for the back ground designer paper, I added a simple white panel under my sentiment that is embossed using a snowy texture design. I added a leftover sentiment on vellum over top.

Supplies: White and blue card stock, Designer Paper -Echo Park , Papertray Ink - Signature Christmas, misc die cuts.

Make sure to visit the Merry Monday blog, the design team has created some wonderful cards. Play along with us, you know you want too.

Thanks for visiting,

Nina



Cas(E) this sketch! # 149

Look at me playing along with two challenges this week, I love it! I guess I can thank the weather though, it is wicked blustery outside and the rain is coming down hard. I was suppose to go for a walk with a friend but that is not going to happen.

I got a chill on Remembrance Day and I feel like I have been on the verge of a cold since, I think it is now progressing. Head ache, sore throat, sniffles. I hate being sick. So I am trying really hard for that mind over matter business and tell body it is not the time.

Anyway.. right.. card:).

Sadly I need to make another batch of Sympathy cards, I wanted something simple to pop in the mail. The challenge over at Cas(e) this sketch! was perfect.

I got this die cut for a steal at the used stamp sale last month, I though it would be nice to try. That and some arty business with the background and such.

I used distress inks with a brush to add colour, then masked off the outside and used Sheer Shimmer Spriz to added some sparkle, I stamped the sentiment then added gems. The center panel is popped up with foam tape.

Supplies: White cardstock, Paper Smooches - Salutations, misc die cuts, Spritz, gems.

Thanks for visiting,
Nina

Tuesday Morning Sketches #327

Is there a fun song for Tuesday's, well there should be.. I feel like I should be humming a tune as I type. It is time for a new Tuesday Morning Sketches, this weeks sponsor is Sherry Baldy Designs.

 

We are using a sketch that I created, once my card was created I felt like I could have dressed it up a little, ahh well maybe another try later this week...

 

I printed the image off and coloured it using watercolour pencils, a glitter pen and some Wink of Stella. I added a few layers in behind and popped it up with some foam tape.

Supplies: Cream and brown card stock, Designer Paper - , Image - Sherry Baldy,

Don't forget to pop over to the TMS Blog, the design team has created some lovely cards. Play along with us !

Thanks for visiting,
Nina

The Challenge #51

I missed getting crafty over the weekend, and all last week :(. I had some time this evening and I could not resist creating something.

It was chilly this morning outside, a nice heavy frost that almost looked like snow. It did not last long but the brisk wind blowing right now reminds me that we have planted ourselves firmly in a new season.

So with the frosty morning in mind I though I would play along with The Challenge over at Lesley's blog.

I recently got this large die cut set of circles so without breaking them apart I ran them through the Cuttlebug, I alternated with foam tape to give it all a 3D look. I die cut the coffee cup and popped it up with foam tape. I also popped up the sentiment and finished with snowflakes and gems.

Supplies: White and brown card stock, Designer Paper - Bo Bunny, Fiskars - Sincere Salutations, Taylored Expressions - Joe to Go, misc die cuts, gems.

Thanks for stopping by,
Nina

Merry Monday Christmas Card Challenge #180

It is only 6 Monday's Christmas including today... hehehe I am only the messenger. We have a new Merry Monday Christmas Card Challenge for you today. Debbie is our hostess and she want us to Make a Christmas Card with a Reindeer on it.

 

 

Humm I may have missed the Rein part of the deer, you won't tell right? So I made a window card of sorts. I watercoloured the background of this scene then stamped the tree and deer silhouette. I used my stitched circles for the window and popped of the panel with foam tape.

 

I used a die cut to create little hill and made it all glittery with my Wink of Stella. I stamped the sentiment right on the panel and added some fuzzy yarn with a bow.

 

Supplies: White and blue cardstock, Designer Paper -Echo Park, PaperTray Ink - Signature Christmas, Poppy Stamps - Deer Silhouette, twine.

Stop by the Merry Monday blog, and play along. The Design Team has some wonderful cards on display.

Thanks for visiting,

Nina

Tuesday Morning Sketches #326

Happy Tuesday everyone, we have a new Tuesday Morning Sketches for you this morning. Our sponsor is Stitchy Bear Digital Outlet.

I needed a card for a 6 year old so I tried to make it fun. I used simple layers, a cute birthday sentiment and I even added a party hat embellishment.

Supplies: White and hot pink card stock, Designer Paper - Echo Park, Hot of the Press - Birthday Cheer, Jillibean Soup - Birthday.

The design team has created some fabulous cards, visit the challenge blog and play along.

Thanks for stopping by,

Nina

Merry Monday Christmas Card Challenge #179

It time for a new Merry Monday, Deanne is our hostess and her challenge is to Make a Christmas card in Pink, White and Green.

I did not plan to make such a clean and simple card but when I saw these two hoots I could not resist.

I pulled out my stitched rectangles and then did a small frame in pink. I added some green sequins for a little sparkle and some Wink of Stella and that was pretty much it.

The Design Team as always has some wonderful creations to share, play along and show us what you can create.

Thanks for stopping by,

Nina

Blink of an Eye

A quick post for this late Sunday afternoon. I have the most horrid crick in my neck and it makes moving awkward and put a definite damper on my hope for carding :(.

I love these pretty papers, and fun fonts on the sentiment. I used simple layers and popped the sentiment up with foam tape and finished some sequins, flags and twine.

Supplies: Cream and brick card stock, Designer Paper - My Mind's Eye, Verve - Poppy birthday.

Thanks for visiting,
Nina

Coloring outside the lines

I had the opportunity to head up island and craft with a friend today, our craft time was short but fun. I am pretty much a colouring in the lines kinda gal, I like the rules too :). Lesley was making some beautiful watercolour cards and talked me into playing along.

No lines to colours in, more like fly by the seat of your pants and let the water go where is wants for this card. I am playing along and using the sketch from Viva la Verve.

I stamped the poppies on watercolour papers with distress inks then used a water pen to blur the edges a little. I added a touch a blue around the flowers. The red bled a little but I like the end result.

I popped the center panel up with foam tape and backed in with another layers of water colour paper in behind. I finished by adding the sentiment and some twine.

I will admit that Remembrance Day influenced my card once I started with the poppies. 

Supplies: Cream card stock, Designer Paper - Authentique, Verve - Poppy Birthday, twine.

Thanks for visiting,
Nina

Amazing Birthday - rinse and repeat

It’s a gray morning outside with the promise of rain. The guys from Davey Tree have their power saws humming out my window as they remove a two headed plum tree from the side of my house. The radio is playing great songs and the very best part is that I am making Birthday Cards on my Birthday.

I took the day off, why shouldn’t people  on their birthday if they can right.. The day is planned, I have a friend coming over for a shared celebration tonight (her birthday is next week), we are going to make pizza and maybe have a little wine and dessert.  Once the tree guys are all done and gone I will head out for some running around and then I will be back on my cozy craft space for more me time.

This card is for the above friend. I went with a simple layout, I love this pretty paper. Layers Layers and a little foam tape, sequins and sheer ribbon and I was done. As I was getting ready to post this I realized how similar it is to a card made this summer, I guess good ideas are meant to be repeated.

Supplies: White and black card stock, Designer Paper – Fab Scraps, Hot of the Press – Birthday Cheer, sequins and ribbon.

Thanks for visiting,

Nina

Tuesday Morning Sketches #325

We have a new sketch for you this morning for Tuesday Morning Sketches, our sponsor this week is Deedee digi's. For my card this week I used Bot Buddies, which is pre-coloured. 



Isn't this guy totally geeky, it calls to my techy side and makes me smile. I printed it out and fussy cut it, then popped it up with foam tape. I used glossy accents on the eye and some Wink of Stella on what looks like metal parts.

The papers and sentiment as well as the image are all part of the same set. I used lots of layers. I finished with some twine.

Supplies: White and black cardstock, Designer Paper, sentiment and bot - Deedee digi's, misc punch, twine.

The TMS Design team has created some wonderful cards for this weeks challenge, stop by and take a look, comments always welcome and we would love for you to play along.

Thanks for visiting,

Nina

Merry Monday Christmas Card Challenge #178

We have a new Merry Monday Christmas Card Challenge for you today, this week Bonnie is our hostess and she wants us to Make a Christmas card in Red and Gold.

I went with a clean and simple style for my card, I also cut it down to note card size.  To make the gift box a little stronger I backed it with card stock of the same size as the designer paper both cut with stitched die cuts.

I heat embossed the sentiment in white then used three pieces of twine for two are red and one gold strand. I finished with gold sequins. The gift box is popped up with foam tape for a 3D look.

Supplies: White card stock, Designer Paper - Teresa Collins, Papertray Ink - Signature Christmas, twine, sequins.

You can see all the wonderful Merry Monday Design Team creations on the blog, stop by and play along.

Thanks for playing along,
Nina

Winter Bear

We have had a crazy amount of rain this week, as I look out my window and see my silly gutters overflowing it seems like I have chosen a perfect day to hide away in my craft room.

Gerda sent out the November image this morning and I had some fun putting together this card.

I printed out and colour this adorable image. I printed it out again on a piece of Designer Paper so that I could fussy cut the scarf. I added a tiny stamped snowflake to the mug, then I popped the bear up with foam tape and added a little glossy accents to the mug and nose.

Supplies: White and red cardstock, Designer Paper - Teresa Collins, Gerda Designs, twine, sequins.

Thanks for stopping by,
Nina

The Challenge #48

Down to the wire:) . I am an early riser most days but I was up and before 6 this morning thanks to the time change. It has been a very productive morning.

I have even played along with a challenge, which I have been longing to do all week and time just escaped me. This post will be short though as I am getting in just under the link closing.

My card is for The Challenge over on Lesley's blog, the theme of the week Wedding.

 I just started with looking for a die cut of a heart and it just rolled along from there, I found my filmroll die, then a pre-cut panel with XOXO on it. My little bucket of Simon Says Stamps was already on the corner of my desk and the Congratulations set worked perfect.

I added some hearts, added a little sparkle with Wink of Stella and some gloss with Glossy Accents then finished with some twine and sequins.

Supplies: White card stock, Designer Paper, Echo Park, Simon Says Stamps - Congratulations, misc die cuts, twine, sequins.

Thanks for visiting,
Nina