Happy 2019 with a2z Scrapbooking!

I am still in that holiday coma as I completely forgot I needed to have a post ready for the a2z Scrapbooking's January Challenge, which is the wonderful {and easy} theme of ANYTHING GOES! Thank goodness I had already made the card and only had to write up this post.  As you can see, I was really feeling the festivities and went a bit overboard on the embellishments and the bling, but hey, it's only once a year, right? And it was SO much fun to just go a bit crazy!

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base {5" x 7"}
Grey Card
Black Card
Hero Arts Birthday Celebration, stamps, #CM123
Hero Arts Birthday Celebration, dies, #DI343
Spellbinders Filigree Numbers, #S6-141
Hero Arts Embossing Powder in Silver, Gold and Silver Sparkle
WOW! Embossing Powder in Silent Night, #WS101R
Hero Arts Intense Black Ink, #AF345
Gold Card
Couture Creations Embossing Folder, Chiaro, #723156 {available online}
Memory Box Happy Birthday die, #99684
Iridescent Plastic Dots, Mixed Colors and Sizes
Studio Katia Clear Round Dots, Mix 1, #SK2410

When I think of New Year's Eve, images of women in gowns, men in tuxedos, confetti, champagne, and classic elegance come to mind.  I wanted this card to convey some of that festive party mood so I used a classic palette of silver, gold, black, and gray.  I used a white 5" x 7" card base since I knew I wouldn't be able to fit all the elements I wanted to use on my usual A2 {5 1/2" x 4 1/4"} sized card.  I trimmed down the gray card and ran it through my Big Shot using an embossing folder that I didn't even remember I had!  I tend to keep the crafty items that I don't use that much in the back of whatever storage I have and this one was hiding.  Being a larger size than I typically use means I put the folder in the very back.  However, I think it helps the festive nature of the card and I'm glad I came across it.  Once the card was dry embossed, I glued it onto the base and stuck it under the tile to dry overnight.  I've had trouble getting intricate embossed paper to stick to the base so I knew if I loaded it up with glue and set it to dry overnight it would stick.

Another Look

Meanwhile, I stamped the balloons with embossing ink and embossed them with black, silver, gold embossing powder, and a little silver glitter powder, then I cut and set them aside.  I did the same with the balloon strings.  I stamped the drinks in black ink and die cut them as well.  I don't have many number dies and I bought these without having a project in mind, but I knew they'd come in handy and they did! I cut them out of gold card, sort of a dull gold.  Lastly, I had to decide what "happy" I wanted to use and eventually settled on one.  I didn't want the "happy" to be the focal point of the card so I chose a small one, cut it out of black card, and all of my elements were ready to go.

I added all the die cut pieces and then went a little crazy with some iridescent and clear dots.  I started wanting the bubbles to come up out of the glasses like champagne but that didn't work so well so I just put the dots anywhere and everywhere I wanted.  I think it makes the card a celebration all on it's own!  Thank you for reading my tutorial and I hope you join us at a2z Scrapbooking this month; after all, you can't win if you don't play and how can you not play when Anything Goes! Fondly, Christi

I am entering my Happy 2019 Card in the following Challenges:
2 Sisters on the Blog - Use Numbers
Dies R Us - Anything New {New Year! New Die!} Entry 2
Mix it Up - #21, Anything Goes w/ Sentiment as the Focus
Sparkles Forum - #112, New Year, New Stash {the stamps & dies are all new}
Tuesday Throwdown - #423, Embossing {I used dry & wet}
Crafty Gals Corner - #183, Make it Sparkle
A Blog Named Hero - M, Crafter's Choice

Deer Love

This card was so easy to make; the perfect clean and simple card for Valentine's Day, or any occasion really.  A sweet card just to let the recipient know you are thinking of them.  I am planning on making a bunch more to have on hand for those times when someone needs a little pick me up or you just want to say hello.

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base

Die-Namics Deer Love die set

Kraft, red and dark brown cardstock

The pieces were cut from coordinating cardstock and adhered to the card base.  You can't get much simpler than that!  I think variations of this card would be so cute for a wedding, any holiday, even a masculine birthday, if you only use one {or none} of the hearts.  I think these deer are just so charming and they make a marvelous clean and simple card.  I've actually had this set for a while but just now found time to use it; so for all the "new" challenges, this set is new to me and it is the first time I've used it.

Thank you so much for stopping by and I hope you are having a great day! Fondly, Christi

I am entering my Deer Love card in the following challenges:
The Cutie Pie Challenge - M, #131, Cute, Clean and Simple 
2 Crafty Critter Crazies - #22, Anything Goes w/ a Critter
Kraft Plus - M, Inspired by Indigenous Art {these look like cavemen drawings to me!}
CARDZ TV - #81, Anything Goes
Cuttlebug Mania - New! {new die set}
Dies R Us - #113, Anything New {new die set}
Moving Along with the Times - Have a Heart
City Crafter - #445, CAS 
Crazy for CAS - #13, Animal
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - CAS
The Cat's Pajamas - M, #353, Love

Create a Smile - M, Use Kraft

Birthday Wishes for You

My very best friend is a little over a year older than I am and she is fighting aging like a spitfire!  She's trying all manner of treatments {not going to go into that, you can imagine!} to hold back the hands of time.  We are incredibly different in that aspect; I don't do anything special since I've begun to age.  I refuse to color my hair, although I'm sure it would make me look younger, no shots of chemicals in my face, no special wrinkle creams - none of that for me! This year I made a birthday card that would remind her of her {our} younger years when we both were figure skaters.  I actually had a blue skating outfit like the the girl on the card is wearing.  I also included some little trinkets that will hopefully brighten her day and remind her that getting older really isn't THAT bad.

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base

Watercolor Paper {I use this}

Zig Clean Brush Markers
Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black
MFT/Die-Namics Pure Innocence stamp, Have an Ice Day
MFT/Die-Namics Pure Innocence die, Have an Ice Day
MFT/Die-Namics Stitched Oval STAX
Lawn Fawn Bayou Backdrop, #LF1624
Metallic Blue Card
Find it Trading, Jeanine's Art, Frosty Ornaments Paper Pack, #JPP10006
Your Next Stamp, What Not Sentiments Four, #CYNS-172
Hero Arts Ink in Amethyst 

My skater was stamped on watercolor paper and colored using my Zigs.  The blades of her skates are silver gel pen just to add some sparkle.  While she was drying, I cut a panel of the background paper and attached it to the white card base.  Then I used the Bayou Backdrop's water die to make my iced-over pond which I cut from a metallic, light blue, paper.  I stamped the sentiment onto some white card, cut it out with the oval die, and then proceeded to attach all my components to the card.  I think it's really cute!  Coloring the skater was an experience; I'm trying to get used to coloring people and, while I didn't use alcohol markers, I don't think any practice can hurt!

I hope you enjoyed my tutorial.  The Pure Innocence line of stamps and dies are just so cute and the uses for the characters are endless!  Plus, they are fairly inexpensive.  Now that you have heard all about my best friend's war against time, what do you do to try to stop the clock?  Are you an anything and everything person or like me, a nothing at all person?  I'd love to hear your comments!  Be sure to leave your info so I can stop by your blog and leave you some love!  In fact,  I'd love for you to follow me on any social media platform you choose, be it Blogger, Pinterest, or Instagram.  All the subscribing buttons can be found on the right side of my blog.  Have a wonderful day!  Christi

I am entering my Birthday Wishes for You card in the following challenges:
The Artistic Stamper - M, Anything Goes
Just for Fun - M, Use Blue & Silver
Sweet Stampers - #28, Winter/Snow
Creatalicious - #155, Anything Goes w/ Option of Winter Fun
Die Cuttin' Diva's - #403, Birthday
Stamping Sensations - Fabulously Feminine 
My Time to Craft - #388, Winter Birthday
Crafty Catz - #444, Anything Goes w/ Optional Twist of Birthdays
Cut it Up - #165, How's the Weather? {my skater is outside in the cold!}
Double D Challenges - Looking Back in Time
Bastel-Traum - #73, Stencil and/or Die

Anything New with Die Cut Diva's

Happy New Year! I hope your holiday season was wonderful!  Since it is a new year, Die Cut Diva's has chosen the January 2019 challenge to be Anything New and we are sponsored by the fabulous Bugaboo Digi's.  Bugaboo is offering a

$12 gift certificate to our winner; you can get some great digi's with that much credit!  For my Anything New entry I used these Altenew dies which are brand new and, honestly,  I probably would not have purchased them myself, so I consider them a new design for me as well.  They came in a box of stamps and dies I had bought from a designer; lots of popular designers get so much given to them and they typically design for more than one team, that they can't possibly use it all.  Now, since they can't resell the items {which I didn't know}, a few have put together charity boxes where they stuff as much product as they can into a box, sell the box, and then the proceeds go to their charity of choice.  It's a win for everyone; the designers get to clear out some stash, the buyer gets FANTASTIC deals on stuff, and the charity gets money!  

What I Used to Make My Card:
White Card Base
Grey,  White, Yellow, Red, Orange, Blue, Green & Purple Card
Altenew Shattered Triangles Die Set, #ALT2031
Die-Namics Fishtail Sentiments Strips Die
Altenew Painted Rose Stamps, #ALT1542
Wendy Vecchi Ink in Watering Can
Line Stitched Die {literally a metal line with a pattern on it - manufacturer unknown}
3mm Crystals
Orange Copic Marker

Click to make photo larger

The first step in making this card was cutting out all of the triangles.  I used the smaller set of dies and I first cut out the top of six triangles in white, which are actually the detailed dies in the picture, then cut out the bases, the solid die.  I made a "cheat" sheet of how the dies look so it would be easier for you to understand my references.  Then I cut out the colors using the detailed top again.  I chose muted primary colors - not exactly pastel but I didn't want the colors to be the focus of attention.  I wanted you to notice the intricate detailed "tops." 

Tons of Triangles

Once all the triangles were pieced together and glued, I set them aside.  I cut a panel from gray card and covered the white card base.  Then I used the fishtail die to cut a small banner.  The sentiment was stamped onto a scrap piece of white card.  I wanted some stitching on the sentiment panel but I don't have a die the right size; this is where the line dies come in handy.  I used the stitched one and put stitching on the top and bottom of the sentiment, tucked the gray banner under it, and attached those to the card.  While I was pleased with the triangles, I felt they need a little something more so I put matching gems on each one.  I didn't have an orange gem to match so I colored a clear one with an orange Copic marker.

Finally, after trying out many configurations, I decided to just glue the triangles

Another Peek

randomly onto the card.  I did keep the colors in rainbow order but I didn't place the triangles in any special manner.  I love this card and I'm already thinking of ways to use these triangles; I could cut them out in red and green for the holidays, metallics for special occasions, and tones of red for Valentine's Day!  Making this card has opened up so many possibilities for the geometric dies I have.  I'm thinking of how I could use all the shapes I have in different ways, other than just to mat images or sentiments.  

I hope your imagination has gotten a bit of a spark from this creation and you look at your geometric shape dies in a different way!  I especially hope to see your Anything New entry in this month's challenge.  It's the perfect time to try a new technique, new stamp set, and of course, new dies!  Thank you so much for stopping by!  I'd love to visit you back so be sure to leave your blog, Instagram and/or Pinterest link in your comment.  See you again soon!   Fondly, Christi

Since I posted this late, I am now entering my Card in the following challenges:
Fab 'n Funky - #422, New Beginnings {well, new product?}
City Crafter - #444, Give Piece a Chance
Cuttlebug Mania - New {new product}
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Use Something New
Make my Monday - #87, Use Words or a Sentiment
Challenge Up Your Life - #103, New {new product}
Papercraft Business Challenge - Anything Goes, option of New Beginnings 
Take It, Make It - M, Anything Goes
Cardz TV - #80, Anything Goes
Happy Little Stampers - Anything Goes w/ Dies

Little Santa with Die Cut Diva's

I made this card in September, thought I had posted it, but I can't find it.  I'm

hoping I am not writing this post up only to find that I actually DID post the card.  Enough about that; let's pretend that I didn't post it.  We would love to see you at  Die Cut Diva's December Challenge of "Winter or Winter Holidays" sponsored by the generous Di's Digi Download's - although the holidays are over, it's still winter!

I am a huge fan of Mama Elephant's "little" stamps - I have every one except the newest release!  I love coloring these little stamps and I thought having Santa peeking out of all of these circles was a fantastic way to showcase him.

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Red Card
Authentique Festive Paper Pad, 6" x 6", #FES009 {retired but available}
Watercolor Card {I use this}
Mama Elephant Little Santa Agenda stamps
Mama Elephant Little Santa Agenda dies
Lawn Fawn Say What? Christmas Critters stamps, #LF1778
Uniquely Creative Circle Cover Plate, #UCD1801
Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black
Zig Clean Color Markers
Sakura Gelly Roll Pens, Stardust

I began by stamping, coloring, and cutting all the Little Santas - there are more in the set, but I chose the ones I felt would fit this card the best and set them aside.  I cut the cover die out of the patterned paper, flipped over the surrounding square and one of the circles, and attached all of the background to the red card except for the green circle.  On the green circle, I stamped the sentiment and attached it to the middle of the cover plate.  I arranged the Santas around the circles and glued them all in place.  Lastly, I attached the entire front to the red card and that to the card base.  It was an easy card to make even though I think it looks complicated.  The longest part of making the card was coloring and cutting the Santas and that only took a while because matching up those tiny die cuts with the correct Santa can be a bit time consuming.  In fact, what I finally did with the Little Cat Agenda set was I copied the dies and put them under the stamps so when I used a stamp it was easy to find the die that went with it.  The Santas are easier to find the matching dies because their shapes are distinctly different but I may end up doing that little trick to all my Little Agenda sets.

Thank you for stopping by and reading my little tutorial!  I hope I've inspired you to grab some of your stamps and dies and combine them in a way that's new to you. And don't forget, come play with us at Die Cut Diva's!!  I appreciate you taking the time to visit and hope that your holiday season has been creative and crafty!  Fondly, Christi

I am entering my Little Santa's in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes (entry #2)
Crafting by Designs - Holiday Anything Goes
Winter Wonderland - Anything Christmas Goes
CARDZ TV - #79, Anything Goes
CHNC - #418, Anything Christmas Goes
Sweet Stampers - #27, Anything Goes

Home for the Holidays with Hero Arts

Since winter is still here, I wanted to share this winter wonderland card I created using the Home for the Holidays set from Hero Arts.  It's my last entry in the Winter Wonderland challenge at a2z Scrapbooking.  If you look closely, you can see the sparkle on the card and I accomplished my goal of creating my own Winter Wonderland!  There is a bit more time left in the challenge, so why not link up your own Winter Wonderland creation? 

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Hero Arts Home for the Holidays Stamp Set, #CM282 {you can special order from the store}
Hero Arts Home for the Holidays Die Set, #DI556 {you can special order from the store}
White Shimmer, Gray and White Cardstock
Watercolor Paper {I use this}
Zig Clean Color Markers
Sue Wilson Mini Expressions Warmest Wishes die, #CEDME018
Lawn Fawn Stitched Hillside Backdrop, Landscape, #LF1502
Wendy Vecchi Archival Ink in Fern Green and Potting Soil
Hero Arts Ink in Intense Black, #AF345
Stickles in Stardust

I wanted a charming landscape for my houses so I began this card with the backdrop which I cut from white card.  I had found this grayish white, almost speckled paper {it almost looks like vellum to me} in my stash and decided to use that for my sky.  I added some Stickles snowflakes to the sky as well.  It's difficult to see in the pictures, but there is glittery snow on the houses and trees.  I stamped all of the houses on watercolor paper, colored them using Zig Clean Color Markers and, when they were fully dry, used the coordinating dies to cut them.  I stamped the trees with colored ink on scrap card and cut them out as well.  I wanted the card to look a bit old fashioned so I colored the houses lightly to give a Norman Rockwell feel to the card.

Another Look

Even though this is a Christmas set, you could essentially use the houses without snow {like the cabin} any time of year.  I think sending a card after the holiday "rush" is almost better than getting a holiday card.  Like getting a present out of the blue.  In order to compose the scene, I cut the hillside backdrop and the sentiment both out of white shimmer card.  I placed the houses and trees in various places on the backdrop and the sentiment in the top right hand corner.   As I am looking at the card now I think perhaps I should have made some smoke come out of the chimneys to add a bit more warmth.  What do you think?  Regardless, this setting is definitely a Winter Wonderland to me.  I can picture a roaring fireplace inside the homes, the families gathered around it drinking hot cocoa, all  warm and snug in their flannel pajamas.  Sounds really good to me! I hope you get some inspiration from my card and perhaps compose your own Winter Wonderland to enter into this month's challenge at a2z Scrapbooking.  If you need some supplies, feel free to use my discount code CHRISTI15 at the a2z Scrapbooking store to get 15% off your order of any size, even special orders!  Thank you so much for dropping by, it's been nice to share the end of the year {can you believe it!?!} with you and I hope you will continue to pop in ~ Fondly, Christi

I would like to enter my Home for the Holidays card in the following challenges:
A Blog Named Hero - M, Winter {graphic below}
Country View Challenges - M, Christmas
The Artistic Stamper - Christmas {entry 2}
Ellibelle's Creative Moments - Christmas
Double D Challenges - Let it Snow {graphic below}
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Crimbo Crackers - #174, Anything Christmas Goes

Golden Season's Greetings

Before I get into this card I want to wish everyone a very happy holiday season! Merry Christmas ~ Happy Hanukkah ~ Festive Kwanzaa ~ Happy Yule

please feel free to add your own holiday message if I've forgotten! 😁

I recently bought a whole bunch of the beautiful sayings that Sue Wilson has put out and I like the Mini Expressions because they fit so well on an A2 card.  I love a swirly, fancy looking font so these are a must have for me!  I have a bunch of them for the holidays; now I'm working on acquiring the "everyday" Expressions.  I made this card a while back but haven't shared it yet.

What I Used to Make my Card:
Kraft Square {5 1/4" x 5 1/4"} card
Neat & Tangled Friendly Florals stamps
Neat & Tangled Friendly Florals dies
Sue Wilson Season's Greetings die, #CED3154
Watercolor Paper {I use this}
VersaMark Ink
Gold Embossing Powder
Shiny Gold Card
Zig Clean Color Markers

In making this card, the first thing I did was stamp a bunch of the flowers onto watercolor paper with embossing ink {after I used my Powder Tool, so technically this is the second step LOL}, then liberally sprinkled on gold embossing powder, and embossed them.  For this design you need to use a detailed, regular, or fine embossing powder; no chunks because the lines are so fine and it won't stick.  Embossed designs are very easy to color since it's difficult to color outside the lines!  I colored the flowers using my Zigs and then, when they were dry, cut them using the matching dies.  I have to say this set from Neat & Tangled is very versatile; you can see some of the other cards I've created using this set here and here.

I admit it took me forever to get the flowers in something like a circle.  I spent hours upon hours trying to get the look I wanted; truthfully, I'm not thrilled about the shape on which I finally settled, but it was one of those times where if I didn't just glue the images down, the whole thing was getting tossed.  So I

Another Peek

arranged the flowers to fit the card, cut the sentiment out of gold card {the gold card I used is like a dull mirror card}, and attached that to the card.  If it hadn't taken me so long to arrange this card, it would of been one that I could of reproduced a few times but after the struggle I had, nope.  

I do like how the gold sentiment picks up the gold embossing and I'm pleased with the coloring.  I'll chalk this one up to another card that shows the charm of being handmade. I also really adore this entire stamp set - it's one of the most versatile sets I own and I do hope you check out other cards I've made using the set; the links are up in the first paragraph.  How are you doing with your cards and holiday projects? I'm feeling under the wire but I think I do some of my best work under pressure {but you kinda knew that already if you follow my blog - I'm always stressing myself out for one reason or another!}  Have you ever encountered a card you thought would be easy and it became a nightmare?  I'd love to hear your stories.  Leave me a comment if you have one to share.  Thanks so much for stopping by.  I know this time of year is rough and you have limited time to spend bopping about the internet and I appreciate you choosing my blog as one of your stops!  Fondly, Christi

I would like to enter my Golden Season's Greeting Card in the following challenges:
Papercraft Challenges - Merry Christmas, #27
Pin{spirational} Challenges - Anything Goes, #231
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Party Time!
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Party Time!
WOW! Embossing Powder - Silver/Gold {Facebook group}
Card Mania Challenge - Christmas, #111
Archi-Scraps - M, Anything Christmas
The Artistic Stamper - Christmas
Sweet Stampin' - Christmas
Fashionable Stamping Challenge - Winter, #142
Wednesday's Creative Inspirations - Feeling Festive
Scrapy Land - Anything Goes w/ a Brand They Carry, #104