15 Days of Christmas Cards - Day 15

Good Morning! The final day has come. And it's Friday! Whoo-hooo. I think we're getting our Christmas tree this weekend.

I had set out to create a card that had a more heavenly quality and less whimsical. I did a search on digi-images and I didn't come across exactly what I was looking for, so then I went the coloring pages route and I came across this image at CDK Kids dot com. It really loses some of it's beauty by being printed so small, but it's still very pretty.



I colored the image with Copics, which wasn't my original intention. I had wanted to pull out my Prismacolor pencils that I neglected this whole series. But Copics were the better choice for the small areas. The sentiment is computer generated and says He is called Emmanuel, which means God with us.

I used the sketch (loosely) from Sweet Sketch Wednesday. Arlana has such a talent for sketches and she and her sisters are sweethearts. I changed it only a little Arlana, I hope that's OK. :o)

Thank you so much for joining me on the journey of 15 days of Christmas cards. I probably won't stop there, but who knows. I have some snow-people in my collection that are still begging to be played with. Winter just started, so we have a long way to go. Enjoy your weekend although I hope to see you here!

15 Days of Christmas Cards - Day 14

Good Morning! Welcome to day 14, which is also Thursdays with Lindsay and it's also the MyGrafico Challenge blog posting. Whew!!

First off, let me mention that Lindsay is having a buy 2 get 1 free sale at her Shop Handmade Store. When you make your purchase of the two sets, Lindsay will email them to you and get your order for your free set. Pretty easy, eh?

I created a really easy Christmas card by using the Cutttlebug Christmas Tree folder as the main image, but leaving it white and enhancing with Teal pearls. The circle image, the dove is from Lindsay's Christmas Cupcake Wrappers set. I played around in PSE to change the color. I'm sure I didn't do it per any tutorial, but I managed to change the outer dots to a berry color and in the inner dots to a teal color. This card is using the current color challenge from The Color Dare Challenge, which is to use Razzleberry, Taken with Teal and Kraft. I don't have Razzleberry ink but I was able to color match it pretty close for the dots and the ribbon. The card has a base of white and the mats are Kraft and Taken with Teal.

This week MyGrafico Challenge Blog decided to use the recipe set from Lindsays Stamp Stuff and that was fun since I am on both design teams. So I set out to create my friend a recipe box. I took an instant coffee can and covered it with this really fun paper. Her kitchen is sort of multi-colored fiesta hues, so I thought this purple and orange would fit right in. I printed the circle sentiment twice so that I could pop-dot the heart in the center to give it a little dimension.


Then I proceeded to make the cards. Yes, they are folders. I did this by importing the recipe card image into a word document twice and flipping one of the images upside down. Then I butted the images up against one another and cut them out. Using a circle punch I notched out the bottom end which removed the the tab. Some I typed the recipes onto the cards first and then printed them out. Some, I just printed with the lines on them so that my friend can add her own recipes. I'm still not done with the box, there are several other recipes that she requested of me, so I need to get busy typing.

I hope you enjoyed my Christmas card and recipe box. Please be sure to visit Lindsay and the rest of team to see what they have to share with you. And don't forget the challenge at MyGrafico, you could win the entire recipe set.

See you tomorrow for the last day of my Christmas Cards Series.

15 Days of Christmas Cards - Day 13

Hello! Welcome to day 13 of my Christmas Cards series. I'm actually going to stick in another card (non-Christmas) with it because it's inspiration from the same sketch.


I used the awesome sketch from Friday Sketchers - what a fun sketch! And I got a lot of help from Papertrey Ink. I was browsing around looking to spend money that I don't have and just happened onto the Try It Now paper section of their store. You get these digi paper swatches and they were perfect for the "quilted" part of this sketch.

I used a beautiful angel image from Nutcrafters and she's colored with Copics. I also (not sure the camera picked it up) colored in her halo with a Versamarker and then add gold embossing powder. I also colored her wings with the same marker and added Iridescent Ice embossing powder. She's quite lovely in person. Then sentiment is computer generated and I have to say, I've had a hard time getting the song out of my head since I made this.

For the embellishments, I colored a satin flower using Olive Copic. Then I punched out the flowers (Spring Bouquet punch) and inked the edges to create the poinsettias. The centers are 1/8" circle punch dots.

Now for the other card:


I actually made this card first and posted it in my SCS gallery. But I decided since I used the sketch again, it would be OK to post it here [now]. This image is from Pixie Dust Studio and I entered in their 2nd challenge which is a color challenge: Gold, Brown and Cream. The paper swatches are again from the Try It Now section of Papertrey Ink. The deer is colored with Copics, the sentiment computer generated and the final touch, the gold ribbon.

I hope you enjoyed my cards and that you'll come back tomorrow for day 14.

15 Days of Christmas Cards - Day 12

Good Morning! I hear we're in for a freezing rain storm later today on into tomorrow, so I've got dinner cooking in the crock pot, yummy comfort food and extra blankets. There should a be Netflix movie in my mailbox. Days like that make me grateful for being unemployed. I still would rather have a job though!

OK now that I've rambled on - welcome to day 12 of my Christmas Card series. I absolutely love this card. Of course you all know that snowmen are very near and dear to my heart and when The Greeting Farm released this set, I knew it had to be in my collection.


Are these not the most adorable little faces!? Oh my goodness, they melt my heart. I used a fabulous sketch for this card from Just Us Girls. I did omit the embellishments part of their sketch because I ran out of room. Please click on the photo to enlarge, I want to be sure you see all the glitter on those pretty snowflakes. The snowflakes are from Inkadinkadoo and the sentiment is from All That Scraps.

I hope you like my card and I look forward to your visit tomorrow.

15 Days of Christmas Cards - Day 11

Good Morning! Welcome to Day 11, thanks for stopping by. I so appreciate the visit. This is also Sunshine Monday. As my term for being a Design Team member of Sunshine & Giggles comes to an end this month, it's only fitting that my very favorite image from the Winter/Christmas collection be a part of my Christmas Cards series.


I am so pleased with how this card turned out. It reminds me of a really pretty Christmas dress. This is Poinsettia. I used black card stock for my base and then layered dp from the DCWV Christmas mat stack over that. I also used the same paper in the burgundy and another in green to paper piece her dress. And I was excited to start using my new MS border punch. The hearts fit in so well, even though this is a Christmas card. I colored her with Copics and then finished it off with some gold ribbon.

Be sure to visit Janice and the rest of the team (linked in my sidebar) to see what treats they have waiting for you. I just learned that Janice isn't posting today, she and her son are a bit under the weather. See you tomorrow for day 12.

15 Days of Christmas Cards - Day 10

Good Morning! I hope you've had a good weekend so far. Saturday was a bit crazy - Hollyanne is in her first Christmas concert today, she's a first year (and probably last year) violinist.

Anyway, I have another new release to share with you. This is another of Inktegrity's newest images just released this past week. And who could resist this yummy mint chocolate chip (my personal favorite) sundae adorned with delicious gingerbread house cookies.



I also used the sketch (again) from Sweet Sketch Wednesday. I really loved this sketch from Arlana. I also participated in The Color Dare challenge, too. This was quite a challenge for me, too. The colors: Kraft, Very Vanilla and Dusty Durango. The challenge for me was how was I going to incorporate those colors into a Christmas card. And then it occurred to me that these colors are homey baking colors, if that makes any sense.

I also used a gingerbread girl image from the Daisie Company. This was a tough on the old eyes to color something that tiny and then cut it out. Whew!

I hope you enjoyed my day 10 card and that you'll come back here tomorrow for day 11, which also happens to be Sunshine Monday. Thanks for stopping by.

15 Days of Christmas Cards - Day 9

Good Morning! Happy Saturday to you. Welcome back to day 9. I have a really adorable gift card (or money) holder to share with you. I actually got the pattern from Claire Brennan of Waltzing Mouse Stamps. I absolutely love this idea, I think its so cute!


So here's the stocking. The pattern comes with the back, front, toe and heel and very clear instructions. Just print, cut them out and assemble. I printed directly onto Ruby Red card stock and used the toe and heel as patterns to cut out the decorative paper. I used a white gel pen to create the stitching around those pieces.


Here's a little closer view of it. I used Cocoa's Mittens from SNSS and this is one of the many reasons why I love digi's. I was able to size the image down to fit the 1 3/8" circle punch. I also used Fiskar's Threading Water punch for the stocking cuff.

Lift the cuff to reveal a bit more dressing up with decorative paper (DCWV Christmas mat stack) and the pocket that contains the other gift. I finished dressing the stocking with a large brad and some two sided ribbon.

Do be sure to click on over to Claire's blog to see the wonderful stamps and ideas she has on her blog. Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you tomorrow.

15 Days of Christmas Cards - Day 8

Good Morning! I can't believe I'm already half way thru my little series. Welcome to day 8. I am so glad you're here.

I don't know if you all know what a HUGE fan of All That Scraps stamps I am. I love them. I feel like the Pixies, Kiki's and Emma & Trevor are my little friends. So of course Emma has to be featured.


You are also not going to believe how many challenges I got to play with just with this one little card. I do love this card. I used white card stock as my base and then layered a piece of Real Red card stock that I had embossed with Spots and Dots embossing folder. I also used Glorious Green and Basic Black for mats. I colored the image using copics and then highlighted a tad with a white gel pen. I used white puffy paint for the snow on the tree and grated Styrofoam for the fur trim of her hat.

So here's the line up of challenges:

1. The Crafty Pad - Use triangles (the border & the tree).
2. Lord Have Mercy! - The sketch.
3. Corrosive Challenge - Use red and green.
4. All That Scraps - Anything Christmas.
5. Crazy 4 Challenges - Use a punch (the border).
6. Pink Elephant - Favorite coloring method. Copics!

Six challenges!! Can you believe it!? Whoo-hoo!! I don't think I've ever done that many.

Thanks for joining me today for day 8. I hope to see you back here tomorrow.

15 Days of Christmas Cards - Day 7

Good Morning! Welcome to day 7 of my Christmas Cards series. Yes, this is also Thursday's with Lindsay. And that sweet gal came up with an AWESOME set this week! This is Winter Clips and it's perfect for that moment when you need a card in hurry or for super fast holiday party decorations.

I call this card my Christmas Quickie...


You will be amazed at what comes in this set! Digi-paper, cupcake wrappers/toppers, Happy Holidays in lots of colors, two printable card bases - oh this is pure fun! I printed the card bases first. Then simply cut and fold. If you use your card in portrait orientation it'll have HANDMADE BY in the right place on your card back. I also cropped two of the cupcake toppers out of that printable sheet so that I didn't print the entire page. I just wanted the snowflakes. And then I put the card together using an awesome sketch from Sweet Sketch Wednesday and the colors fit right in with the Color Throwdown challenge.

Don't forget to check out what Lindsay and the rest of the team has to share with you today.

Thank you for stopping by and we'll see you tomorrow for day 8.

15 Days of Christmas Cards - Day 6

** This is the 2nd post today - please scroll down for the MyGrafico Wednesday Challenge **

Good Morning! Welcome to day 6 of the 15 days of Christmas Cards. I do hope you're enjoying this series as much as I am sharing them with you. And I am so thrilled that a couple of orders arrived so now I'll have those to share with you, too!


I wish I had details to give you on this card, but I received all the elements in a card kit swap when I hosted one using snowmen as the theme. But this is a way cute snowman and with the color of the paper that came in the kit and the richness of the gorgeous ribbon, I really wanted an aged vintage look to this card. I colored the image with prismacolor pencils and OMS. I inked the edges with two shades of brown. It's a simple layout and I think it turned out really pretty.

Thanks for all the sweet comments that have been left and thank you for coming back for my series. See you tomorrow.

15 Days of Christmas Cards - Day 5

Good Morning!

This is actually the "missing" Sunshine Monday post. Not missing, just relocated to Tuesday because Sunshine & Giggles is our super sponsor over at Tuesday Morning Sketches. And I also said that my DT obligations would fit somehow into my Christmas Cards.

This isn't very Christmas-y, but I think would be fun to send to your favorite student to wish them a Happy Christmas Break! This one is going to my friend Robyn.


This is using one of my favorite images from Sunshine & Giggles. It sort of reminds me of Robyn and her brother. I also just had to play with my new Snowflakes from Spellbinders. Cute!! I colored the image with Copics and Stickles. The sentiment is from All That Scraps.

Whoo-hoo! And my card fits the challenge from Digital Tuesday, too. My image is a digital image and (please click the photo to enlarge) my snow and snowflakes sparkle!

I hope to see you over at the TMS blog for this week's challenge and back here tomorrow for another card! Thanks for stopping by!

15 Days of Christmas Cards - Day 4

Good Morning! Welcome to day 4 of my 15 Days of Christmas Cards. I have another super sweet, super cute card to share with you using another new release from Inktegrity.

This is North Pole sundae all dressed up in festive attire...


Chocolate, vanilla and strawberry ice cream never looked so yummy!

Be sure to head on over to Inktegrity where these fun and super yummy images will be available for purchase. See you here tomorrow.

15 Days of Christmas Cards - Day 3

Good Morning! Welcome to day 3 of my 15 Days of Christmas Cards.

I have a super sweet card to share with you. This features a new image that will be available on Dec. 1st from Inktegrity. What could be sweeter than a mint sundae?!


I recycled an older sketch of mine that was created for Tuesday Morning Sketches. I was excited to find that I still had a couple of peppermints brads in my stash. This is a really simple card to create using my favorite Cuttlebug Folder and ribbons.

15 Days of Christmas Cards - Day 2

Good Morning! Thanks for coming back for the 2nd day of Christmas Cards. I don't know if I've ever shared that I love snowmen. (giggle) This card I made using a very interesting technique. I'm not quite sure where it originated from, but I saw a card using this technique, so I had to try it myself.


I used an image that I got from Cuddly Buddly and I used Inkadinkadoo called Snowflakes A Plenty. I stamped the snowflakes on the smooth side of a clear transparency (inkjet) with black Staz-On ink and let it dry. Then on the reverse side (rough) I sponged white pigment ink, then sponged two dye-ink colors and then went back over that with white pigment ink. I quickly covered the wet pigment ink with clear embossing powder and heated. I backed the image with a piece of white card stock and then used brads to ensure the acetate stayed put. Then decorated the front.

It was a fun technique and I think it has a lot of possibilities.

Thanks for stopping by and I look forward to another visit.

15 Days of Christmas Cards - Day 1

Good Morning! Happy Black Friday! I don't normally go out on Black Friday, but this morning I actually did and it wasn't that bad. I got what I needed to get and I know a little girl who is going to be very excited Christmas morning.

So what is my title all about? Especially when I've been showing Christmas cards quite often these past few weeks... well, I've been inspired to by Kristina Werner who has been doing some awesome videos on Christmas cards and I want to challenge myself to do the same. I will still be posting for my DT obligations, hopefully incorporating this theme and of course, participating with my favorite challenges when I can.




So up first is a pocket card, the tutorial can be found here on SCS.

It was a simple card to create. I used the ornaments from the Winter Kit from All That Scraps (hurry, they are on sale today) and a snowflake that I received in a theme kit swap. My photo didn't quite capture the glitter that I covered the snowflake with. The piece where the ornaments are at is a pull out and then I left the lower pocket empty for a gift card.

Thanks for stopping by and we'll see you here tomorrow for another Christmas card.