Noel

Happy Day After Christmas!!

I hope you all had a fabulous day 

and that your holiday

season continues to be joyous!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I remember seeing these peg stamps years ago.  Like decades ago.  I was always fascinated with them and amazed at the lovely creations that were made with them.  Honestly, it seemed too simple and I thought that I would never be able to create such beauty even if I bought myself a set.  Well, Rubber Stamp Tapestry had a sale and I could resist no more. I purchased two sets for myself and below is a card I made with one of the sets:

What I Used to Make this Card:
White Card Base
Oval Die Cut (I used Die-Namics Stitched Oval Stax, MFT-521)
Rubber Stamp Tapestry Noel Set, SWD-3801
Adirondack Dye Ink in Lettuce & Cranberry (discontinued but available)
Wendy Vecchi Archival Ink in Geranium, Potting Soil & Fern Green
White Cardstock to Stamp On
KaiserCraft Decorative Paper from Yuletide, PK484

Now, some of the really cool things about these stamps is:

1. You can purchase every stamp they make separately.  You don't need to buy the set if you are in love with one stamp.
2. They include a "How To" sheet with each set that explains how to achieve the look on the front of the package.  They even include ink colors! And, if you lose the sheet, you can download it from the site! Click HERE, then choose Download Card Insert  to see the "How To" sheet for the Noel Set.
3. There is ALL sorts of information about peg stamps, tutorials, reviews and more - you really cannot fail using the tips and tricks that they share with you.

OK, back to my card.  I stamped the NOEL with the Fern Green ink, then tried to put the oval die cut over the NOEL so that it would be centered.  I didn't accomplish that, my NOEL is a tad too close to the top of the card, but, (say it with me) that adds to the charm of handmade <grin>.  I then proceeded to stamp the pine cones in Potting Soil ink, the little poinsettia flowers in Geranium ink and the squiggle in the Lettuce ink.  After I went around and around, turning the card as I went, I decided I needed a bit more color and stamped the flowers a few times using Cranberry ink.  I am pleased with the final results, off center NOEL and all, and proceeded to stamp around the "O" with the same images and inks.  I then matted the stamped cardstock onto some KaiserCraft decorative paper and mounted that on the white card blank. 

Another Look

I am SO glad I purchased this set and I am looking forward to using the other set very soon.  Rubber Stamp Tapestry is having a sale right now and you can get yourself a few sets at a great price - just click HERE to go to the specials page (I am not affiliated with any of the above mentioned companies, but I love to pass on a great deal when I see one). There is no end date for the sale, but it is called December Deals so I wouldn't wait too long to scoop up some goodies. I hope my NOEL card inspired you to stretch your limits and see what you can create!  Thank you for stopping by my blog - I'd love it if you'd leave me a comment and follow me ~ Hugs, Christi

I am entering my Noel Card in the following challenges:
Kraftin' Kimmie - #362, Winter
Perfectly Created Chaos - #7, Christmas Anything Goes (December)
Cards in Envy - Celebrate the Season
Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers - #74, X is for XXX-mas
Christmas Card Challenge - #2 (second entry)

A Meowy Christmas

Wishing You and Yours a

Very Happy Holiday Season!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you all SO much for your continued support of my little blog!

XO Christi

and the Fabulous Feline Four

I love how this kitty came out - he looks so warm and snugly in his scarf and his Santa hat.  My favorite color is blue and winter is the perfect time to make some icy creations with the various shades.  I found the designer background paper in my stash and I have no idea who makes it (I suspect it's from Stampin' Up! and probably discontinued) but I knew I had to use it on at least one of my holiday cards.  

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Newton's Nook Newton's Holiday Mischief Stamp Set
Newton's Nook Newton's Holiday Mischief Die Set
Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black
Stickles in True Blue
Distress Marker in Broken China
Spellbinders Shapeabilities Victorian Tags, S4-448
Nuvo Crystal Drops in White, 677N
Nuvo Glitter Drops in Ruby Slipper, 752N
Corner Decorative Punch
Blue Cardstock

I stamped and die cut the kitty and used Stickles to fill in every other area on his scarf.  I set him aside to dry because me & any kind of wet medium are guaranteed to make a mess. 

As the kitty was drying, I trimmed a piece of patterned paper and punched the corners.  I have had this punch for years and I have no idea where I got it from or who made it - I'm sure they are still around somewhere.  I glued the patterned paper to the white card base and put that aside (under my tile on my desk to ensure it dried flat) and turned my attention to the sentiment.

I stamped the Meowy Christmas with Jet Black ink, die cut it to fit in the middle of the decorative die cut that I had cut out of a scrap of blue that matched the patterned paper.  I glued the two die cuts together and attached them to the card.  I stamped and die cut out his Santa hat and to that I added glitter Nuvo Drops in Ruby Red and Nuvo Crystal Drops in white.  While that was drying, I colored in the empty spaces on his scarf with the Distress Marker in Broken China.

Another Look

The next day I popped his hat on, and then glued him onto the card.  It was the perfect card to make while working on other stuff since there was so much drying time.  I typically make more than one thing at a time as the mess on my table will attest to.  Now, do you think I could get one of my cats to wear a scarf and a hat? Hmmmm - maybe I should finish these posts before I attempt that! As always, I so appreciate your visiting me and I hope you'll leave me a comment so I can visit you back ~ Happy Holidays, Christi

I am entering my Meowy Christmas card in the following challenges:
Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Challenge - #313, Use a Sentiment
CAS-ual Fridays - #163, Christmas & Hanukkah 
Cute Card Thursday - #457, Anything Goes
Crimbo Crackers - #122, Animals (entry #2)
SUYP - (December) #13, Krimbo Kats

Light up the Holidays

Wishing You and Yours a

Very Happy Holiday Season!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you all SO much for your continued support of my little blog!

XO Christi

and the Fabulous Feline Four

I bought myself a bunch of holiday goodies since there were so many fantastic sales.  I admit it, I'm weak when I can get a good deal.  If you are a regular reader of my blog you know I adore cats (especially my Fabulous Feline Four, in fact, Sylvester now has a bed right beside my computer monitor so he can feel a part of and keep quiet while I attempt to write these witty posts) and I am in love with the kitties at Newton's Nook.  I think Newton is adorable and I swear that Jen (the owner) is watching all the craziness that my cats create and bases the stamp sets (and the coordinating dies!) on them! But, if you have ever been owned by a cat, you probably can't look at any set of cat stamps and not chuckle, or cry.  Enough of me going on and on, here is one of my newest creations:

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Newton's Nook Newton's Holiday Mischief Stamp Set
Newton's Nook Newton's Holiday Mischief Die Set
Watercolor Paper
Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black
Derwent Inktense Water Color Pencils
Nuvo Glitter Drops in Emerald City, 760N, and Ruby Slippers, 752N
DieNamics Stitched Oval Stax, MFT-521
Tim Holtz Paper Stash, Tidings, #TH93325
Blender Pen
Silver Gel Pen
Embossing Powder in Detail Black
Embossing Fluid

The first step in making this card was to emboss the image of Newton, all tied up in the lights, on watercolor paper.  I found out how difficult it is to do that, and, in hindsight, it makes sense.  The watercolor paper just absorbs the embossing ink so you have to be fast! I did manage to get a few of the images

Close Up of the Glitter Drops

embossed, so once that was done I used the coordinating dies to cut them out. I colored in the bulbs with Nuvo Glitter Drops, alternating green and red.  Once they were dry (I let them sit overnight) I colored in the kitty with Derwent Inktense water color pencils and a blender pen.  I used a silver gel pen to color in the ends of the bulbs where they screw into the socket.  I stamped the sentiment onto the oval die cut using Jet Black ink and then attached the cat image next to it.

I used some designer paper from Tim Holtz, specifically the Tidings stash, trimmed it down and glued it onto the white card base.  Lastly, I adhered the oval die cut with the sentiment and the kitty onto the card.  The pictures I took of the card don't do it justice (I really should learn how to take better pictures), the little bulbs sparkle and shine when you move the card around.  I am so happy I purchased this set and there are more cards to come!  I hope your holiday season has been full of love and laughter ~ Christi

I'd like to enter my Light Up the Holidays card in the following challenges:
Crimbo Crackers - #122, Animals
Not Just Cards (December) - #39, Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday's Challenge - Make it Sparkle (entry #2)
Work it Wednesday - Use Your Dies (entry #3)
Show Us Your Pussies - #13, Krimbo Cats
Lost Coast Portal (December) - Christmas or Winter
Holly Jolly Christmas Challenge (December) - #86, Christmas Card or Anything But a Card
Jingle Belles - Christmas Card

A Joyful Card

I recently got Newton's Holiday Mischief Stamp and Dies set (you will see more of that set in a bit - I love those kitties!) from Newton's Nook, and I wanted to try something new.  I try to "stretch" my stamps, find other ways to use them other than their intended use and as soon as I saw the adorable little holly stamp and die I had an idea - now as some you know having an idea and executing it are two very different things - but, I think I did ok with this one! 

What I Used to make my Card:
White Card Base
KaiserCraft Yuletide Decorative Paper, #PK484
Newton's Nook Newton's Holiday Mischief Stamps
Newton's Nook Newton's Holiday Mischief Dies
Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black
Tim Holtz Distress Watercolor Paper
Blender Pen
Distress Markers in Festive Berries and Pine Needles
Red Glitter Gel Pen
Red Glitter Cardstock
Tim Holtz/Sizzix Alterations Holiday Words:Script, #660058
Tim Holtz/Sizzix Movers & Shakers Magnetic Die Mini Wreath & Bow, #658267
Hand Punch - 2 1/2" Circle

Close Up 

First, I stamped (on watercolor paper) and die cut a bunch of the holly leaves and berries and then I colored them in with Distress Markers, first washing the Pine Needles color over the leaves, by scribbling the color onto my craft mat and then picking it up with a blender pen.  Once they dried, I  sort of outlined them, in a scribble kind of way - I hope this close up makes it easier to see what I'm talking about. The berries were just colored in direct to paper with Festive Berries, then colored over with a red glitter gel pen to give them a bit of sparkle. I tried to maneuver the holly leaves into a circle, but,

static cling had other things in mind and they kept moving.  So I punched out a circle from some scrap paper using one of those old Marvy punches (remember when that was all we had to make shapes with!?!? - how did we ever make anything? 😉) and glued each section onto the circle - Ta Dah! The little holly sprigs couldn't move all around once they were glued! There was a teeny gap that was too small for another sprig so I cut the bow from the Mini Wreath out of red glitter cardstock and covered the gap.  

Next I cut "joy" out of red glitter card as well (here is a tip - when you cut out a word that has an "i" in it, use removable tape or washi tape to keep the dot from the i with the i - they are teeny tiny and NOT fun to try to find.  At least not fun to try and find on my desk) and adhered that to the center of the wreath made from the holly leaves and berries.  I then glued the wreath onto a piece of decorative paper from the KaiserCraft set called Yuletide.  I love how this card is simple but festive and this idea is going on my card making list for next year. Thanks so much for visiting and I hope your holiday season is a happy one ~ Christi

I would respectfully like to enter my Joy card in the following challenges:
The Artistic Stamper, December - Christmas
Card Mania Challenges - December, #87, Anything Goes
Christmas Cards All Year Round - December, Anything Christmas/Holiday
Country View Challenges - December, Christmas
Crafty Hazelnuts Christmas Challenge - Christmas (month long)
Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Make it Sparkle

Alphabet Challenge Blog - U is for Use Something Red
Cards in Envy - Celebrate the Season
Southern Ridge Trading Co. - December, Christmas and/or New Years
Happy Little Stampers - December, Anything Goes with Dies

Christmas Owl Ornament

This little owl goes with the Christmas card I made for my neighbor Helen. When I visited her house I commented on the adorable little owls she had hanging here and there and she told me she collects owls.  That was all I needed to hear - I was on a mission! 

The Owl Die

I didn't have any owl stamps or owl anything so I was hunting for something to enable me to somehow add to her collection.  I honestly can't recall where I was when I found this cute little owl die by Impression Obsession but I fell in love right away.  I don't have much use for the graduation accessories that come with the set, but, who knows.  I may find a use for them yet. 




What I Used to Make this Creation:
Impression Obsession Owl Die, #DIE283-0
Ribbon for Hanging
Cut 2 (or 2 sets) of each of the following:
Owl Body out of Patterned Paper (if desired)
Wings out of Brown Card (match the patterned paper)
Beak out of Yellow Card
Feet out of Orange Card
Eyes out of White and Black Card
*Also cut a few more of the Owl Body to add Thickness. I just used heavy white cardstock.

I think he is adorable! 

As you can see I made him double sided so regardless of which way he is hanging he looks the same.  I anticipated this to be harder than it was.  Once I had the bodies all glued together (in hind sight I would cut the extra bodies out of brown cardstock) and the ribbon in place, I just used glue and set the wings and feet on each side at the same time.  I wasn't as precise with the eyes and the beak but I did try to line them up a bit. Due to the pattern on the paper, the die didn't emboss the wavy lines that are shown on the body die but they did show on the extra bodies I cut out to add the thickness.

I am going to tuck this little owl in her Christmas card and I hope she likes this little guy. I certainly enjoyed making him and I foresee myself making many owl cards in the future.  Thank you for taking the time to check out my Owl Ornament - I know this is a crazy time of year and I appreciate your comments! Fondly, Christi


I would like to enter my Owl Ornament in the following Challenges:
Penny's Paper-Crafty Challenge - #309, Anything Goes
Pixie's Crafty Workshop - Weeks 260 & 261 - Anything Goes w/ snippets
Love to Create Challenge - M - #25, Anything Mixed Media Goes

A Christmas Card to Paws For

I know you just HAD to look at this post after reading the title - as most of you know, I am a die hard cat lover - well, I'm actually a die hard animal lover and I am in love with ALL that is crazy by Tim Holtz.  Anyhow, you might recall the birthday card I made for my fantastic neighbor, Helen, and her adorable little dog named Lulu.  Well, it's that time of year and I wanted to make another really special card for Helen as I truly treasure her and feel SO lucky she is my neighbor. I also made her a cute little owl ornament since Helen collects owls - how I made that will be in my next post. 

How I Made my Card:

White Card Base

Red Cardstock
Derwent Inktense Watercolor Pencils
Dove Blender Pen

Tim Holtz/Sizzix Texture Fades Beaded Garland & Snowflakes Embossing Folder Set, #660041 (discontinued) I used the Snowflakes Embossing Folder
Tim Holtz/Sizzix Alterations Holiday Words: Script #660058

Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous Mini Cats and Dogs Stamp Set, #CMS272

Tim Holtz/Sizzix Mini Cats and Dogs Dies Set, #661594
Tim Holtz/Sizzix Movers & Shakers Magnetic Die Mini Wreath & Bow, #658267
Nuvo Crystal Drops in Ebony Black, 650N
Watercolor Cardstock
Ranger Archival Ink Pad in Jet Black
Darice Gems (discontinued)
Red Glitter Cardstock
Gold Glitter Cardstock

The first step I took making this card was the doggies.  I stamped them on watercolor cardstock (I have to say, I've been using the Distress watercolor paper and it has made a HUGE difference in my water coloring.  I can let it dry and reintroduce more water color later and it doesn't pill up as fast as other watercolor papers do.  I have had excellent results using both a water brush and a blender pen) and colored them in using the Derwent Inktense Pencils.  Once I was done fiddling with the color, I colored their noses black with the Nuvo Crystal Drops and set them aside to dry.

Another Look

While the doggies were drying, I cut the sentiment out of gold glitter cardstock (how did I ever live without this stuff?) and embossed the red paper using the Snowflake embossing folder.  I had already cut the cute bow out when I cut one out for another card and I had tested it on the big dog - I think it looks adorable but by the look on the dog's face you can tell he isn't so happy.  I mounted the red embossed card onto the base and adhered the gold Merry Christmas onto the top of that.  Finally, I attached all the dogs and embellished them; Lulu has her signature little gem heart.  This time I added some of the gem bones that were in the set (sorry, I don't know the name of the set. I do know it was made by Darice and I did search the Darice website but nothing came up). Anyway, that is Helen's Christmas card.  I hope she likes it as much as she liked her birthday card.  Thanks SO much for taking time out to read my post! Christi 

I would like to enter my Christmas to Paws for Card in the following challenges:
Passion for Promarkers #375 - Mega Christmas Challenge, Use Your Dies and/or Punches (ends 1/3/17) 
Cards & More #174 - Christmas
Glitter 'n Sparkle  #219 - Xmas with Glitter
Christmas Card Challenge - #2,  Holiday or Christmas Card
Fashionable Stamping Challenges #118 - Anything Goes

A Sweet Happy Birthday

Wow - 2017 is right around the corner! I could fill up this entire post talking about the magical way time flies, but, I won't.  I know you all feel the same way I do and are as baffled as I am, so no need to discuss the time thing any more.

Me and the Fabulous Feline Four recently moved into a house in one of those neighborhoods where people live in their homes for years.  The kind of place I grew up in.  We are blessed to have a neighbor, Helen, who has a little dog named Lolly.  Lolly had a fantastic relationship with the gentleman who lived in the house before us and she learned to jump over the short chain link fence that separates our properties.  She, Lolly, actually throws herself over the fence. She is a very good dog and so loving, plus it is nice to get a change of pace from the cats. She is so sweet we had to break down and get some treats for her.  So now I am giving the dog in back of us treats as well (that is a whole 'nother story). Anyway, Helen had a birthday in November and I made her this card - the dog in the middle is a replica of Lolly.  I used a tiny heart I found in my stash because Lolly has a little heart on her collar with her name on it. 

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Watercolor Paper
Tim Holtz/Stampers' Anonymous Mini Cats & Dogs Stamps, #CMS272
Tim Holtz/Sizzix Mini Cats & Dogs Dies, #661594
Derwent Intense Colored Pencils
Nuvo Crystal Drops in Ebony Black, 650N
Stampin' Up! Set Sincere Salutations (disc. but available)
Gold Embossing Powder
Embossing Ink
Spellbinders Nestabilities, Labels Seventeen, S5-025
DCWV Linen Closet Stack (disc. but available)
Pop Dots

Before I get into the nitty gritty on how I made my card I need to clarify that I used the OLD DCWV Linen Closet Stack - apparently there is another, newer stack out there with the same name.  My stack looks like this: 

This stack is discontinued but I am sure you could find one.  The pictures do not do it justice - it has some stunning papers in it.  The second thing I wanted to tell you is that even if you let your Crystal Nuvo Drop harden overnight, it will flatten if you run your image through a die cut machine.  Ask me how I know <wink>.  OK, on with the show!  

I wanted to make a card that was cute, but not too cute, and I already knew I was going to somehow incorporate the Mini Dogs into the card. Surprisingly, I lack happy birthday stamps (well, after I was done with the card I found some I had forgotten about, but I digress) and that actually helped me decide how "fancy" I was going to make the card.  I stamped the 3 chosen Mini Dogs on watercolor paper and watercolored them using the Inktense pencils.  I usually

Dimension

try to note what colors I used but I was so focused on making the Lolly dog LOOK like Lolly, I forgot.  And I blended them to death so I doubt even if I used the exact colors it would look anything like what I ended up with.  After I colored the pups, I made Lolly's nose shiny black by using the Nuvo Crystal Drops in Ebony Black.  I had seen these demonstrated at the last Stamp Show I went to and I was really impressed by them.  Most gloss type products leave that little "Dairy Queen Curly Q" thingie at the top of the dot but these automatically rounded themselves out.  And another cool thing is that the colors don't seep into each other.  I am currently practicing how to make eyes using the white and the black (small dot of white, topping with a small dot of black).

Another Look

I dotted the noses and set them aside to dry.  I had used 2 designer papers from the Stack, one as a background paper and the other as a layer for the Happy Birthday.  I had gold embossed the Happy Birthday then die cut it out as well as the larger panel for layering.  Once all that was done, I pop dotted the dogs onto the card and I was finished.  Helen really enjoyed her card, so much so I am making her another one like this one for Christmas.  Thanks so much for reading and I hope your holiday season has been happy, healthy & safe! Christi

I would like to enter my Happy Birthday Card in the following challenges:
Pile it On! #123 - Any Holiday/Celebration
Animal Friends Challenge #45 - December - Anything Goes
Card Mania #87 - December - Anything Goes
Simon Says Work It Wednesday - December - Use Dies

Happy Fall ~ Always Use Rubber, Challenge #6

Hello friends! I'm presenting a card for the Always Use Rubber Design team, challenge #6, in the theme of summer or autumn.  We would be THRILLED if you joined us! In fact, if you'd like to check out my teamies creations, Jane & Zoe, I'll wait here. 

And, as always, once the challenge ends (two whole weeks from today) we will choose a top 3.  Then, at the end of the month all of our top 3 winners have the chance to win a gift certificate from our fabulous sponsor, Alleystamp. 

Unfortunately this is our last challenge.  A few of our members will be pursuing other adventures and I hope to be able to keep in touch with them.  I wish them both the best of luck!  I want to thank all of our guest designers and participants XO

Our faithful & generous sponsor:

If you are looking for something, be it the newest goodies, or perhaps something that hasn't been around for a while, I urge you to go to Alleystamp.  If what you need isn't in stock they can get it for you SO fast - and the prices can't be beat! 

If you are familiar with me you know I love cats (truthfully, I love all animals, but I have a special place in my heart for cats) and I am amassing quite the collection of cat stamps.  The stamp company Newton's Nook makes some of the cutest cat stamps, well, adorable stamp sets in general, but I totally fell in LOVE with Newton when I saw him.  Plus, the stamps are easy to color!

What I Used to Make my Card:
Brown Card Base
Newton's Nook Newton's Antics Stamp Set
Newton's Nook Newton's Antics Die Set
Watercolor Paper
Derwent Inktense Watercolor Pencils
Tim Holtz/Sizzix Alphanumerics, #660056
Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels 17
Glitter Cardstock
Vanilla Cardstock
Adirondack Archival Ink by Ranger, in Jet Black
Bag of Fall Leaves 

The very first step I took in making this card was to stamp & color the kitty. You can see how I altered him a bit so he'd sit in the leaves:

I basically just cut him out of his box. I used the matching die cut to cut him out and then just snipped off the box.  I can SO relate to this stamp because Bud (one of my four current fabulous felines) is a total box kitty.  He will try to get into any box, no matter the size.  And it's your typical "buy them $1,000 worth of toys and all they want to do is play in the box" situation.  He does favor the square USPS Priority boxes the best.  Anyway, I could seriously talk about my cats all day and I will blather on if I am not careful.

So I stamped, colored and cut my kitty.  Then I set him aside and began to glue each leaf on the card to build the pile of leaves.  For some reason I have a hell of a time getting these to stick to the card base - it's almost as if they resist the glue, so I have to go very slowly and let each leaf that is glued on dry before I pile more leaves on or they will just stick to each other and all come off (ask me how I know this!).  I've had this bag forever and there are plenty left.  I wish I could recall where I purchased them from, but, nope.  I re-bagged them ages ago so I can't even recall what company they came from, but I do know they were made to make model train landscaping and they are made from fabric, but are a stiff fabric and a bit shiny.  

While I was in between leaf gluing, I cut out my letters for the sentiment.  I am really lacking in sentiment stamps so if anyone has a good set that they use over and over, please let me know!  I used glitter card in a copperish brown color for the letters and glued them onto a label from Spellbinders cut out of the vanilla cardstock.  I went back and forth between leaf gluing and trying to get

those letters straight for a good while.  I finally decided to use removable tape on the letters (with the letters on the sticky side, backwards, so I could glue them down while keeping them straight - I hope that makes sense) and then when the glue was dry, I carefully peeled the tape off.  I actually use a lot of removable tape, I've been using it long before washi tape became a thing and the removable tape is much cheaper (and I didn't get the "fall" as straight as I would have liked, but, like I always say, that's the charm of handmade!).

Finally, the card was finished.  I am very pleased with how it came out, even if the letters are a bit wonky.  Thank you so much for reading my very long, full of information that I told you about even if you didn't ask, blog post.  Please consider joining us at Always Use Rubber but PLEASE check out our very reasonable rules first! I hope you all have a very happy holiday, however you choose to celebrate! Hugs, Christi

I would like to enter my Happy Fall Card in the following challenges: 
Crafty Catz - #351, Anything Goes
Through The Purple Haze - #115, Anything Goes
Crafty Gals Challenge - #101, Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp Work it Wednesday - December - Use Dies
Tuesday Throwdown - #323, Anything Goes
Try it on Tuesday - Celebrate!

Join in The Festival! Challenge 5 at Always Use Rubber!

Hello friends! I'm presenting this card for the Always Use Rubber Design team, challenge #5, and we have decided the theme for this challenge is Festival! Tis the season for lots of festivities so it should be easy for you to join in this challenge.  Why not check out my esteemed teammates makes as well - here are some handy links to their blogs, Jane & Zoe.

And, as always, once the challenge ends (two whole weeks from today) we will choose a top 3.  Then, at the end of the month all of our top 3 winners have the chance to win a gift certificate from our fabulous sponsor, Alleystamp. 

Alleystamp is a fabulous store and Janine makes sure she has most all the new goodies in stock. And if she doesn't have it, she can get it to you super quick! No one likes to wait for new goodies!

Here is the card I made for this festive challenge:

This is What I used to Make my Card:

White Card Base

Small Snowflake Stamps (none of the ones I used were marked)

Distress Ink in Tumbled Glass, Mermaid Lagoon & Blueprint Sketch

Tim Holtz/Sizzix Vintage Tidings die set, #661605

Tim Holtz/Sizzix Mini Globe Die, #661598

Light Blue, Silver & White Glitter Cardstock

Glitter cardstock makes this a breeze to make! I started by stamping the background with three tiny snowflakes I found in my tiny stamps drawer (I literally have a drawer where I store all those tiny stamps) - they are very old and I have no idea how I even got them.  Using the three different blue colors of Distress Inks I just randomly stamped the white card base.  Then I went to my

cardstock pile and chose a light blue glitter cardstock that matched the blues of the snowflakes (it looks better in person - we all know how annoying glitter is to photograph!).  I die cut the word peace out of the light blue, then the world out of silver glitter card and I cut a circle out of white glitter cardstock to go behind the globe (I just cut around the outside of the globe die.  Since the world die is "see through" and I didn't want the snowflakes to show through the "holes" in the globe die I needed to back it with something).  I fiddled a bit with placement until I felt like the elements complimented each other, glued the white glitter backing to the globe, then glued that to the card, ending with the peace die cut. I hope you agree! The dies I used on this card were purchased because I could see a festive (after all it sparkles like crazy) non-denominational card.  I'm glad I followed my vision through to completion - now, I should get busy making those cards!

Just another look :)

We would love to see your Festive creations! Just pop over to the blog, Always Use Rubber, take a look at the rules (very important!!) and link up! I hope that each and everyone of you has a joyous season ~ Hugs! Christi

I would like to enter my "Peace" card in the following challenges:

Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge, #310, Vintage, or Anything Goes as Long as It's Christmas

A Vintage Journey (December) Winter Magic

Quick Quotes - #70, Colors Blue & Silver (or grey)

Aud Sentiments - Anything Goes & A Sentiment

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Christmas at Sweet Stampin'  - Anything Christmas Goes

Fab 'n' Funky Challenges - #329, Christmas

Sparkles Monthly Challenge - (December) #86, Christmas is Coming