Puttin' On The Glitz

Good Evening! How are you? Things around here are very sparkley these days. In case you haven't noticed, I have been using a lot of glitter on my cards lately. My poor hubby is reminded every time he looks at himself in the bathroom mirror; although he no longer asks why he has a red, green or blue sparkle stuck to some part of his face, lol.
Now that we have all had a bit of a snicker, lets get to tonight's card shall we. It is another Christmas card that I am sharing and it has a TON of glittery goodness on it :) I even managed to make this one without ANY flowers. This card is pretty CAS I think; funny how that style can sometimes be the most difficult to create. At the rate I'm getting the Christmas cards done with all the fabulous Christmas challenges on here, I may acutally get them sent out this year!
Here is my card:

View of Entire Card Front

Close-up of handmade embellishemnt

Close-up of bird I cut from patterned paper

Even though this is a terrible photo of my card, it does give you an idea of just how much glitter is on the card and how well it sparkles.

Supplies List

Cardstock for base of card and Kraft coloured:  Recollections

Patterned Paper and bird image:  K & Company

Red Glittered Cardstock:  DCWV

Ribbon:  Michael's Crafts

Spellbinders Nestabilities:  "Labels 17"

Punches: "Curly Label" Stampin' Up & "Snowflake" Paper Shapers

Bee Creative Tape Sheets

Red Brad:  Stash

Garden Green Ink pad:  CTMH

Burnished Velvet Technique: Jewel Glitter Ritz in Empire Green, Spice Brown & Celadon

For my glittered card base, I covered the base with Bee Creative Tape sheet cut to fit and covered that with Celadon Glitter Ritz. The glittered embellishment in the upper right corner was made by punching the Curly Label from kraft cardstock and Bee Creative tape sheet. After applying the punched tape to the punched cardstock I used a piece of the non-stick peel off portion of the tape sheet to punch out a snowflake shape and placed this on the center of the taped label. I then covered the exposed tape sheet with Spice Brown Glitter Ritz. Next, I peeled the non-stick snowflake shape off and covered that exposed tape with Empire Green. To complete the burnished velvet technique, use your finger to rub all over the glittered areas to make it sparkle like wild. I added a metalic red brad to the center of my snowflake and some ribbon, thus creating a handmade tag. My tag and bird were attached to the card with 3D foam tape squares to add some more dimension and depth to my card.

I love using the Glitter Ritz and can hardly wait to get more colours to play with. If I happen to notice that some of my cards aren't as glittery after awhile, I just have to rub the Glitter Ritz again and voilah, glittering like new again! I also keep all of the protective covering that I peel off of the Bee Creative tape and use it to punch various shapes from for creating different shape patterns in Glitter Ritz later on. These tape sheets are one product you don't ever want to use in your Cricut machine. The adhesive is super strong and difficult to clean off regular punches, never mind a Cricut blade!!

I am entering this card into the following challenges:

52 Christmas Card Throwdown - June Embellishment Challenge

Crafty Hazel Nuts Christmas Challenge - CHNC challenge 78: let's get inky

The Pretty Little Ribbon Shop - Challenge # 11- Lots of Layers

Cupcake Craft Challenges - Cupcake 198... Birds of a Feather

Pile It On - Challenge #26 - Make your own embellishments

Robyn's Fetish/IDIC Challenge -  # 113 - "NO FLOWERS ANYWHERE AT ALL"

Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge - It's a Bingo Challenge ( I used the top row: Glitter, Brads & Ribbon)

Fashionista Challenge -  #4 "Winged Things"

Always Playing With Paper - Merry Monday #26 Using their sketch

Well friends, thats it for me tonight; I'm pooped! I haven't been sleeping well the past couple of nights. I think Mynnette and I share this insomnia pattern since she has been complaining of the same troubles lately, lol. I am off to try and relax a bit before fighting with the Sandman again tonight.

Thanks so much for popping by to check out my card.

Hugs xo

Jace's 1st Birthday Card

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY TO MY GRANDSON JACE

In honor of his first birthday, I have made him a red, white and blue card with lots of glittery stars. For Jace's card, I used a sketch from Crafting Life's Pieces Challenge blog.

Here is the fabulous sketch:

I really loved this sketch and look forward to using it lots; especially for easel cards. The red, white and blue colour theme came from 2 different challenge blogs: Paper Pretties Monday challenge and The Poodle Parlour.

Here is Jace's 1st Birthday card:

Front View

Close-up of blue glittered stars

Close-up of red glittered stars

Close-up of white glittered striped I made on the red paper

Inside of the card

Supplies Used:

Image - Sarah Kay stamp "Jean-Luc Playing Ball With Claude"

White Pen - Signo Uni-ball

Sentiments - CTMH "Say It in Style" and "Curly Sentiments" stamp sets

White Cardstock - my stash

Patterned Paper - CTMH "Fanfare"

Inks - Memento Black and CTMH Moonstruck and White Daisy

Copics - B21, B24, B29, C03, C05, C07, E23, E29, E31, E33, R000, R01, R20, R24, R29, R46, Y06, YG63, YR04 & Colourless Blender

Star Embellishments - I made these by using the Creative Memories star punch to punch shapes from white cardstock. I then edged each star with glue and covered that with either Martha Stewart "Brillo" or Recollections "Marine" glitter. The white stripes on the red paper were made by adding strips of Bee Creative Tape Sheets and covering that with Making Memories "Spotlight" glitter.

 I am entering this card into the following challenges:

CLP Challenges - CLP 48 - Use their sketch

Paper Pretties Monday Challenge - PPMC #44 Use Red, White & Blue

The Poodle Parlour - Red, White & Blue

The Squirrel and The Fox - Challenge 20 Make It Sparkle

Pile It On - Challenge 26 Make Your Own Embellishments (I made the stars myself)

ATC's and Cards With Attitude - Challenge 16 Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by to visit; I love it when I get friends popping by.

Hugs xo

Sparkling Snowman Card

Good Evening!
Tonight I want to share another Christmas card with you. I have made a snowman card with lots of glitter and sparkle goodness. Its also an easel card. I am in love with this style but am anxious to try a criss-cross card; very soon! But, I digress, lol. Back to tonight's card. I made this card in my favourite Christmas colour combination - blue and silver :). My Christmas ornaments are all in these colours with a few pink ornaments thrown in.
There are 2 challenges running this week that just went hand in hand together so this card is being submitted to:
52 Christmas Card Throwdown - June Theme "Snowman"

The Squirrel and The Fox - Challenge #20 Make It Sparkle
Papertake Weekly - Bingo (ribbon, gems & punches)
The Crazy Challenge - CCH #122 A Recipe: Use atleast 3 of the following items Ribbon/Twine, Gems/Pearls, Dies/Punches
Robyn's Fetish Challenge Blog - Challenge #112 Anything Goes
ATC's and Cards With Attitude - CHALLENGE 16 ANYTHING GOES

Sketchy Colors - Challenge #122 Sketch

Here is my card for these challenges:

Fully Open

 Close-up of top section

See how the ribbon sparkles?

 Close-up of bottom section

Here you can see how the snowflakes sparkle

View from the side to show dimension

Card closed up

Supplies I Used:

Cardstock - Recollections

Patterned Paper - DCWV

"Snow Friends" stamp set - CTMH

Punches - Martha Stewart "Aspen Snowflake" PATP and Paper Shapers "Snowflake" punch

Silver Ribbon - Offray

Rhinestones - Michael's

"Moonstruck" (blue) ink - CTMH

For the silver snowflakes, I punched them from Bee Creative 2-sided tape sheets and attached them to snowflakes punched from cardstock. I then covered them with "Silver" Glitter Ritz and added the blue rhinestone.

The falling snowflakes are made with glue and Glamour Dust. I also added Glamour Dust all around the outside edge of my snowman and the outer edge of my sentiment.

The snow on either side of my snowman was made with Flower Soft.

My snowman was coloured with the following Copics: B02, R24, R29 & YR07.

That is my post for today. Thanks so much for stopping by to look at my card. Leave a comment for me and I will comment back; follow me and I will follow you too! I am off the have a look at some of your cards now :)

Hugs xo

Relax For Father's Day

I decided to try a 'step card' today and I am super pleased at how it turned out. I can hardly wait to make another one of these types of cards.

Here is the card I made for my sweet hubby for Father's Day:

 View of the card standing up and open

View of my card closed and laying down

Side view showing some of the dimension and folds

I am entering this card in the following challenges:

Paper Pretties Wednesday Challenge - PWC210 Summer Inspiration
Craft A Scene - Beach Scene - A Bit of Sand and Water
Dream Valley Challenges - Challenge 34 - For that Special Guy
Delicious Doodles Challenges - Challenge #21 - For the Fellas
Cardmadfairy's Digi Days Challenge - Father's Day or something masculine
The Pretty Little Ribbon - June Challenge # 11- Lots of Layers
The Paper Shelter - Challenge #68 Anything Goes
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge - #159 Father's Day
Simply Create Too - CHALLENGE #15 - "HAPPY FATHER'S DAY [ OR FOR A MALE]"
The Poodles Parlour - RED WHITE BLUE
Card Makin' Mamas - Challenge #47 - Father's Day
Stamptacular Sunday Challenge - Challenge #168: Fabulous FOLDS!
ATC's and Cards With Attitude - CHALLENGE 16 ANYTHING GOES
I will be back tomorrow to list everything I used on this card.
Thanks so much for stopping by to visit.

Hugs xo

White Christmas

Hi again! I'm back with a second card today .....whoohoo! This time, I want to share a Christmas card with you. It turned out WAY better than I thought and I am super pleased with it. I made this card for the current challenge over at 52 Christmas Card Throwdown. This time, Mynnette had a colour challenge for us.
Mynnette's Colour Challenge #6 inspiration photo:

I loved this picture the moment I saw it. Every time I am outside during the winter months, I look for trees laden with snow to photograph, just like the trees in this picture. As I worked on my card for this challenge, I became more and more excited due to the way it was turning out. I love it when the finished product looks exactly the way I imagined it would.

Here is my card:

View of the front

The tree and church are heat embossed

Close up of the dry embossed snowflakes

A better picture of the heat embossed sentiment

See how the heat embossed tree sparkles?

(It was hard to get the right angle to show the sparkle)

Sentiment on the inside is heat embossed

I am so happy with this card that I plan to make a couple more; all in white of course.

Recipe:

White cardstock - from my stash

Silver Embossing Powder - CTMH

Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder - Stampin' Up

'Northern Flurry' Embossing Folder - Stampin' Up

Sentiment - 'Card Chatter - Christmas' stamp set - CTMH

White ribbon - Sheer Creations

Rhinestones - CTMH

Tree & Church image - 'A Wish For Peace' stamp set - Stampin' Up

Martha Stewart PATP 'Aspen Snowflake' set

Well, that is it for me today friends. Two cards and 2 posts in one day; I think I need a computer break, lol. Thanks for popping by to see my card and visit with me. Have a good evening.

Hugs xo

Velveteen Wishes

Good Afternoon:
Today, I have a card I'm sharing that is made using a new (to me anyway) stamping technique called Velvetten Stamping. I found the tutorial on a blog called Technique Tuesday. It is run by Mynnette and she has some awesome ideas for cards. Be sure to pop by her blog and say 'hello'. Mynnette also runs 2 other blogs that I visit; On A Stampage and 52 Christmas Card Throwdown. 
While this card was fun to make, it didn't turn out like I pictured it at all. It is no where near as nice as Mynnette's, but I told her I was going to give this technique a try so that's why I'm still posting it. I guess maybe I should have stuck to a white cardstock and tried to find a matching ink for my background. For a GOOD sample of this technique and how its done, check out Mynnette's tutorial on the Technique Tuesday blog. Oh well, crafting is a learning experience sometimes too lol.

Here is my card:

Front View

Inside of Card

As you can see, this card is a "clean & simple" type. I didn't actually have a background stamp that was large enough for the first stamping on the front so I made my own background stamp by arranging a few smaller stamps into a group on a large acrylic block. Also, the inks I used didn't allow for any delay when it came to dabbing the ink after stamping the solid images. My inks dried VERY fast. At times it seemed I was throwing the stamp down I was trying to move so fast, lol. I also attempted some masking while stamping the Moonstruck flowers and New England Ivy leaves.

Recipe:

Rhinestones - Dollarama

Sweet Leaf cardstock - CTMH

Chocolate Paper - CTMH

Ribbon - CTMH

Inks - Sweet Leaf, Tulip, New England Ivy, Moonstruck - all CTMH

Stamp Sets - "Joy Forever", "Say It In Style", "Curly Sentiments", "Treasures" - all CTMH  

I am really looking forward to trying the next technique Mynnette has posted on the Technique Tuesday blog. It is 'Faux Pressed Flowers' and I think I will be much more pleased with the card I make for that.

Thanks for stopping by to visit me today.

Hugs xo

Christmas Card

Christmas in purple is something I have wanted to try for awhile now and today, I did. I used the sketch provided by the very talented Mynnette at 52 Christmas Card Throwdown.
 Here is the sketch she drew for this week's challenge:

I had a lot of fun with this challenge and the sketch was so easy to work with so I plan to use it again for sure. Just today, I stumbled upon another challenge blog that looks like a lot of fun called
The Squirrel and the Fox. They are located in Australia so you will have to figure out the time difference to enter their challenges. Their current challenge is "Winter or Summer" which gives you a nice choice on what to make. The blog is run by Linda and Tracey and Tracey spells her name just like I do, lol. Pop over there and have a look around as their DT has some awesome creations to share with you.

Here is my card:

View of the whole card

A view of my card from straight on

Close up of the top and some of the flowers

Close up of the bottom

Card when it is closed

I used an image by Sarah Kay again, ( I really like alot of her stamps), and I stamped it onto Copic paper with Momento Black ink. Naturally, I coloured my image with Copics (boy have I fallen in love with these markers...lol!).
Copic Colours: B00, B02, B06, BG10, BG15, BG18, C3, C5, C7, E000, E23, E29, E31, E33, G02, R000, R46, RV23, V12, V15, V17, Y06, YG63, YG67.
Papers:  lilac cardstock - Co'ordinations; striped paper - Bo Bunny; other patterned paper - Paper Pizzazz.
Spellbinders Labels 17 to cut out image and paper behind it.
Flowers:  white with puple spots, lilac & solid purple - Prima; large white flowers - Dollarama.
Rhinestones & ribbon - from my stash.
Snowflakes - K & Company.
Sentiment Stamp - Stampin' Up 'Snow Swirled' stamp set.
Ink for sentiment and distressing edge of lilac cardstock - CTMH Pansy Purple.
Today was also the first time I have ever used my Cuttlebug. I have used Cuttlebugs that belong to other people before but never mine. I have all kinds of embossing folders and currently own 3 different Spellbinders sets so this tool is going to come out of its box a lot now lol.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:
52 Christmas Card Throwdown - sketch challenge #6
Addicted To Stamps - Challenge #31 - Bingo This time I used the top row of the Bingo card: Lilac, Monochromatic & Bling Bling
Simon Says Stamp - Diamond Jubilee - Use Crowns and/or Gems
Crafty Card Makers - Distress It
Pretty Little Ribbon Shop - Challenge #11 - Lots of Layers
The Squirrel and the Fox: Challenge #19 Winter or Summer

Well, thats it for me for today anyway. Thank you so much for stopping by to visit me again. I truly enjoy having all of you come by and leave me little comments; I read each and every one of them.
Hugs xo

Summer Flowers

I have always admired handmade flowers. Just think of it.....you would always have a flower to match whatever project you are working on, no matter what paper you were using, if you were able to make the flowers yourself! Well, I finally found some time (courage) to try this little project and I spent a couple of hours doing just that, making flowers. You know what? I don't know what I was so afraid of. These 10 flowers were easy peasy and I will definitely be making these again. In fact, it is the next workshop I will be teaching my Stamping 6 Group, and they are going to love them too.

Here are my very own handmade flowers:

All but 1 of these flowers is made with Close To My Heart patterned papers, cardstock and inks. Some of the flowers have stamped centers, also from Close To My Heart. The rhinestones in the centers of 2 flowers are bitty sparkles from CTMH and so are the brads I've used. I have used the 2 inch scalloped circle punch from CTMH for making 5 of the flowers and the buttons, embroidery floss, silver bow and pink butterfly are from my stash. The sticks the flowers are mounted on are from Michael's and the styrofoam inside the pouch is from Dollarama. I used the George and Basic Shapes Cricut Cartridge to cut out the petals I used to make the purple rose and tCricut Art Philosophy cartridge from CTMH for the pouch. One of these flowers is even made from used dryer sheets!
I am entering this project in the following challenges:
The Ribbon Carousel Challenge -RCC54 - Fancy Flowers with Andrea Ewen 
The Pretty Little Ribbon Shop Blog - May Challenge # 10 - Blossoms and Butterflies
Fashioista Challenge Blog - Challenge # 3 Simply Summer

Addicted To Stamps - Challenge # 31  BINGO - I used the bottom row on the card: "flowers, distressing and no card"

            
 Well, thats it for me tonight. Thanks so much for stopping by my blog.
Hugs xo

Blue, Turquoise & Green Birthday Card

Whew!

I can't believe I actually got this card made, posted (sort of) and linked on time for the Sketchy Colours Challenge #117. I did not realize that their challenge ended in the middle of the afternoon for me. This is the fastest card I have made in a very long time lol. There are a couple of other challenges that I want to submit this card to, just as soon as I catch my breath and tidy up my scrap area a bit.

I am entering my card into the following challenges:
Sketchy Colours Challenge #117 -  Blue, Turquoise & Green
Stamptacular Sundays: Challenge #163: Butterfly Kisses!
The Ribbon Carousel:  RCC53 - Gettin' Sketchy with Debbie Carriere
Pile It On:  #20 - Clean and Simple
Simon Says Stamp:  Clean & Simple

Well, I am exhausted and my neck is very sore so I am heading off to bed for some rest. I will be back tomorrow to list the supplies I used to make today's card Thanks for stopping by to visit. Goodnight & sweet dreams.
Hugs xo

A Mother`s Day Card

I finally got another card made! Only 1 more left to make for a Mother and I will be ready for Sunday.

One of the challenges I chose to work with this week is Card Makin`Mamas Challenge 44 - Spring Photo Challenge. Their photo this week caught my attention immediately. Here it is:

This cake looks so yummy. The inspiration I took from this picture is the colours and flowers.

Sketchy Colours had a sketch challenge for us this week. Here is the sketch Marianne designed and gave us for inspiration:

Here is my card:

I just love my Sara Kay stamps and decided to use Zoe Gazing at the Butterfly as my image. I coloured her with the following Copics: B02, B06, B12, E31, E33, G02, R000, RV19, RV23, V12 and Y06. other than the copic paper for my image, all of the other paper is Hot Off the Press. The flowers are Prima and the ribbon is Offray. I used a doily again which is Wilton. I decided to try adding paper leaves with my flowers so I cut them out on my cricut using the Reminisce Accents cartridge and CTMH green cardstock. The gems in the centers of my flowers and up the right hand side of my card are from my stash as is the pink butterfly.

I am entering my card into the following challenges:

Card Makin Mamas - Challenge 44 - Spring Photo Challenge

Sketchy Colours - Sketchy Colors #116

Addicted To Stamps - mother's day (card for a woman)

Dream Valley -Challenge 31 - For a Special Lady

Paper Sundaes #119 - Mother's Day

Pretty Little Ribbon Shop - May Challenge # 10 - Blossoms and Butterflies

Well folks, thats it for me tonight. Thank you so much for stopping by to have a peak at my newest card.

Hugs xo    

Creating from the Heart: ♥ Spring Giveaway! ♥

Creating from the Heart: ♥ Spring Giveaway! ♥  writes:

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

♥ Spring Giveaway! ♥

Hi all! Well, it's time to give some things away, just because. I have to admit though, I was kind of hesitant to hold another giveaway, due to people "disappearing" after the giveaway is over. But I decided to have another one anyway and hopefully people will still stick around afterwards. I will be picking my winner randomly but please don't enter if you are a candy chaser. New friends (followers) are welcome though! I don't mean to sound mean, but I always have huge giveaways that are worth a little bit of money and I don't think it's fair that people only come around for the giveaways. Hope you understand!

Here's what is up for grabs this time!!

♥ Grand Calibur Machine by Spellbinders

♥ Grand Scalloped Circles Nestabilities

♥ Grand Labels Four Nestabilities

♥ 6x6 Hello Summer Paper Pad by Echo Park

♥ Hello Summer Chipboard Stickers by Echo park

♥ 240 Yard Spool of Pink Sorbet Bakers Twine

To win you must do the following:

♥ Leave a comment on this post:

♥ Tell me how you will spread the word. Either put a link to my giveaway on your blog, on your Facebook page, by email, etc. I will check on this! ;)

♥ And for a second chance, become my friend (follower)! And stick around! ;)

That's all you have to do! I will leave this open until May 22nd! I will then post my winner a day or two after that! Good luck everyone!

hugs...

 

Scrappy Challenge

Hello Friends!

I want to tell you about a brand new challenge blog called DATS Designing Divas. This blog is run by a good friend, Donna who is also the owner of DATS Scrapbooking here in Thunder Bay, ON. Donna and her Divas kicked off the new blog with a fabulous blog hop that had a super prize, and I won!

 So, I wanted to use the scrumptious goodies I won and could hardly wait to ink up this fabulous stamp that is the image of my card. You can see their 1st challenge, Happy Scrappy Day, and all of the fabulous samples from the DT. Be sure to stop by for a peak.

Here is the card I made using some of my awesome blog hop candy:

I am also entering this card in 365 Cards Day 56 - Loud. The bright colours I chose to work with on this card are fairly outside the box for me, lol. Simon Says Stamp has the challenge right now of Anything Goes so this card will definitely enter their as well.   I am also entering this card into Pile It On's Challenge #18 Mother's Day.....But....No Flowers; not even on the ribbon, patterned paper, nowhere.  Now THAT was very hard for me....lol. A card for a female but NO FLOWERS?!? I managed it, with great difficulty.

For this card I used the following items:

Recollections - pink & green cardstock

Jillibean Soup - patterned paper

Celebrate It - ribbon

Basic Grey - buttons

Stampin' Up - twine

Dollarama - gems

Wilton - doily

Kraftin' Kimmie Stamps - "The Krafty Stamper" image

Copic Markers - B02, B06, B12, BG07, C1, C3, C5, E000, E23, E31, E33, R000, R46, RV06, Y06, YG41, YR07 & the Blender pen as well.

Thanks for stopping in to visit.

Hugs xo 

Happy Birthday

Addicted To Stamps is celebrating their 1st Birthday with a blog hop and a card challenge. Guess what their first challenge is.....cake (of course) and/or stitching. I did both on my card and the stitching was even done by hand. I am also entering this card in this week's Pile It On challenge which is Sparkle & Shine. The cupcake patterned paper is very glittery although it doesn't show up in the picture.

The Crazy Challenge and Card Makin Mamas both want to see "Girly" cards so I will enter this card in both of their challenges as well. This card is also being entered into 365 Cards Day 55 - On The Fringes challenge where you had to have atleast 4 different 'fringes' on your card that you made yourself. Aren't edge punches awesome! They help add such dimension to our creations. Lets not forget Simon Says Stamp where the challenge this week is Anything Goes.

Here is the front of my card:

The inside with a good close up of my stitching:

Here is the full view of my card. As you can see, it is another easel card lol.

As it has been a long day and the surgical site on my neck is giving me a lot of pain tonight, I will be back later to list the materials I used.

Thanks for stopping by :)
Hugs xo