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Saturday, December 29, 2018

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



Tuesday, December 25, 2018

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

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

Happy Holidays with Hero Arts Christmas Swirls Digital Stamps

I've made this holiday card with the exclusive a2z Scrapbooking Hero Arts digital set, Christmas Swirls.  You can't get digital Hero Arts stamps ANYWHERE else!  I hope you can join us at a2z Scrapbooking's challenge.  The theme this month is Winter Wonderland and I am sure you have created something you can share with us!  While the holidays have since passed, I'm just going to save this card for next year.  I hope you enjoy it!
What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base {7" x 5"}
Hero Arts Digital Stamp Set, Christmas Swirls, #DK020
Sakura Gelly Roll Gold Pen, from the Stardust Set
Small Colored Gems from my stash

As you may know I struggle with digital stamps and I am SO proud of this card!  One of my wonderful teamies from a2z Scrapbooking posted this really easy tutorial about how to use Word for digital stamps and I could actually do it!  If
Sparkle!
you'd like the link, drop me a line using the contact form on the right side {I haven't asked the writer if I can share her hard work.}


I created the card front on one piece of paper, trimmed it down and attached it to the card base.  I'm not quite skilled enough to make a one layer card but I'm working on it!  Once the card was dry, I colored the stars with a gold gel pen and added little gems on the Christmas trees for some added sparkle.  Like I said, I am so happy with how the card came out!  I'm getting braver; I am actually going to try using digital paper and design my next digi card on that!

Thank you for stopping by and visiting!  I hope you and yours have a happy and safe holiday whichever you celebrate.  Fondly, Christi

I would like to enter my Hero Arts Swirls Digital Stamps Card in the following challenges:
{PIN}spirational - Anything Goes
TTCRD - Anything Goes (wk of 12/18/18)
Double D Challenges - Let it Snow!! 

Cute 'n Crafty Christmas - #2, Anything Christmas Goes
A Blog Named Hero - Winter
Creativ Fusion - #7, Non-Traditional Christmas

Allsorts Challenge - #498, Christmas Trees
Happy Craft Challenge - M, Anything Goes
C.R.A.F.T. Challenge - M, Anything Goes



Tuesday, December 18, 2018

White Winter Scene

I just received the die set I used to make this card and I HAD to try it out! The beauty of white on white cards has always been something I've wanted to try and this set was perfect to give it a go!  Here is my card:

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Essentials by Ellen, Alpine Window, #EEDIEJ-131-18
Sizzix/Tim Holtz Paper Snowflakes, Mini, #661599
White, White Shimmer, and White Glitter Card
Dimensional Dots
Red Liner Tape

The first step in making this card was cutting out all of the round pieces.  The first two layers were cut out of regular white card stock and the final layer was cut from shimmer white, which is the same card I used to layer onto the white card.  It has a slight vanilla tint to it but isn't as strong as actual vanilla, just a bit off white.  Once everything is cut, you end up with the first layer - the mountains, the second layer - the trees, and finally the house layer.  I trimmed down a panel of the shimmer white card and attached it to the white card base, setting it aside to dry.  As I built the scene, I added dimensional dots which had been cut into halves to fit on the rim of the cuts, and I  built the scene before attaching it to the card so I'd be able to manipulate the paper as needed.

Once I finished the scene, I decided it needed a bit more sparkle and I cut out
Close Up of the detail
the smallest snowflakes from the Tim Holtz set, using white glitter card, chose two and attached them to the scene, one hanging down from the top and one attached to the yard.  I used red liner tape to attach the top snowflake behind the house layer.  Once the assembly was done, I glued the whole thing to the white shimmer card base.  In retrospect, I would have done things a bit differently but that's why I make a card for the first time; to see how I could enhance the card.  I think I would have cut all the pieces out of scrap card to see how they actually worked together before attempting a final card, but I am learning!  What is your take on white on white cards?   How about dimensional scenes such as this?  What has your experience been?


I so appreciate you visiting my little blog, especially this time of year when the holidays are closing in and we are all rushing about trying to get last minute stuff done.  This year I am trying to not get so frazzled and enjoy the spirit of the season instead of all the insanity we put upon ourselves.  I want to show you every single card I've made but I have an entire pile that need pictures and posts written about them so what is the worst that will happen if I don't get to all of them?   I have a head start on next year's cards!  That works for me. ~ Fondly, Christi

I have a terrible cold and I am a bit behind with entering my cards in challenges - I'm sorry!! I am entering my White Winter Scene card in the following challenges:
Brown Sugar Challenge - M, #285, Winter Scene
Daring Cardmakers - Snowflakes Falling
Cardz TV - #78, Anything Goes
Die Cuttin' Divas - #400, Happy Holidays
Dies R Us Challenge - #111, Anything Christmas
The Crafter's Cafe - #210, Glitter and/or Christmas
HLS Anything Goes with Dies - Anything Goes, entry #2

Sunday, December 16, 2018

Angel Ornaments

Each year I try to make a special little ornament for my sister who has a table top Christmas tree that she sets up.  This year I made a bunch so she could choose the one she likes best.  These were relatively simple to make and I hope I inspire you to step out of the box and make some decorations or gifts yourself!
This is a long post, so settle in with a cup and relax!



What I Used to Make my Angel Ornaments:
Ranger Glossy Accents
Retro Art Cafe' Coffee Break Designs BASIC Fairy Shrine
Retro Art Cafe' Coffee Break Designs ANGEL Shrine
Retro Art Cafe' Coffee Break Design SWEETHEART Style 4
Retro Art Cafe' Tiny Fairy Doll Head Paper Cuts - 1 pk
Dresden Wings, Small Gold
From my Stash: Tiny Red Fabric Heart, Pink Heart Shaped Stone, Iridescent Star, Tiny Gems, Die Cut Waste, Scrap Paper
Stickles in Gold, Iridescent and Platinum
Jump Rings, 4 Medium
Lindy's Gang Embossing Powder in Raspberry Lemonade, Imperial Crown Purple Gold, Midnight Teal and Bougainvillea Red Teal
Ranger Embossing Powder in Rich Red {unavailable but any dark red will do!}
E6000 adhesive {you probably have some}
Krylon Leafing Pens in Silver and Gold

I love Retro Art Cafe' and the cool products they carry; seriously I could spend an absolute fortune there! When I was a brand new crafter making shrines was THE thing {besides cards and scrapbooks - I don't think there was ever a time when those 2 paper crafts weren't popular}to make.  Mixed media was just born, Suze Weinberg was the Embossing Powder Queen {do a google search or check out You Tube} and Ranger Ink was still in it's infancy.  Collages, canvases, altered books and so much more were being made at breakneck speed.  That's when I found Retro Art Cafe' and I still shop there; most likely I will until one of us is done!  When I was brainstorming for this years ornament I knew if I went there and browsed around I'd find something awesome to spark my imagination and Retro Art did not let me down {plus, they have awesome sales!}.  I saw the Inspirational Fairies and I knew that was what I needed to use this year, so I bought a bunch of kits, matching heads and Dresden wings. I actually wasn't sure what wings would fit the shrines so I emailed Kristin and asked what she thought and she was kind enough to recommend the small Dresden wings.  Once I got my goodies I got to work.
This what was left of mine;
Saving them - you never know!

Each pack of Shrines has four pieces in it so you can make 2 double figures or 4; it's up to you and your design. The set includes 2 solid pieces and two shrine pieces {the shrine pieces have a hole in them to make a small window}. For these I used two pieces for each, one solid piece and one shrine piece.  The first step I took was sandwiching a jump ring in between the two pieces so I could attach an ornament hanger, piece of string or ribbon or even put them on a necklace if I wanted.  I first tried to stick them together with regular glue because I was all out of E6000 - no luck; the jump rings were so loose I could pull them out.  So once I got a new tube of E6000 I glued the rings back in and used binder clips to keep the pieces together while they dried.  I let them dry for  few days to ensure they'd be
The Blue Angel 
sturdy.  I also sandwiched the wings I used between the layers on one of the ornaments; my intent was to do that to all of them, but then I decided since I was going to be decorating them with who knows what that I'd attached the wings to the other three when I was done.  They also come with teeny little pieces of product that you can mount them on so they will stand up.  As well as crowns!


The Red Angel

I wanted a super shiny, almost enamel look on the bodies so I embossed them.  I embossed them so many times I lost count using all the delicious colors from Lindy's Gang as referenced above.  I used my fingernail {something I am SO guilty of - I know I shouldn't use them, but they are so accessible and I often find myself using them without even thinking.  However, I don't recommend it!}  to remove the embossing powder, while it was still warm, on the Red ornament to try and keep the heart shape.  Once all of them were embossed, I coated each with Glossy Accents, except for the head area, and again, on the Red one where the heart design wasn't.  Let them sit again for a few days as I
The Pink Angel
had plenty of projects to finish.  I edged each one with a Krylon Leafing Pen {I've had these pens for YEARS - another throwback to the beginning of my paper crafting.  We used them for everything, mostly to edge paper and to do the original Polished Stone technique with alcohol inks} and used the pens to cover the wings.  Turns out the wings I had attached between the two parts at the beginning took a beating with all the embossing and stuff so I wanted to jazz them up a bit and bring the wings to life.  I also used a leafing pen to color the gold wings silver.  Once the wings dried I layered some matching Stickles on them to make them shine even more; the leafing pen can have a dull finish.  I embellished my angels with bits and bobs I've had in my stash for years and attached the doll head cut outs so they could have faces.  Lastly, I painted one crown silver {with the Leafing Pen} that I gave to the Blue angel, and added some gold dots of Stickles to the Purple angel's crown that was a part of her head.

The Purple Angel

Then I was done.  I find waiting for things to dry the most annoying part of making art and this was a study in patience for sure!  But it felt really good to make something 3D, something fun and out of the box.  I hope my angels inspire you to get some older art supplies {or, buy some new goodies at Retro Art Cafe'!} and have some messy fun.  I really had no idea how these babies were going to turn out so this entire project was an experiment for me.  On that note I'm glad I bought more than one set of the Angel Shrines because I have LOTS more ideas for these!  I hope you enjoyed my tutorial and are having a safe, healthy and artful holiday! Fondly, Christi

I am entering my Angel Ornaments in the following challenges:
Altered Eclectics - M, Anything MM Goes
Rhedd's Creative Spirit - M, {running til Feb} Anything MM Goes
More Mixed Media Challenge - Anything MM Goes
The Three Amigos - Winter
Bleeding Art - M, Shiny & Sparkly
An Inky Mess - Anything MM Goes
CHNC - #416, Anything Christmas Goes
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Christmas
Moo-Mania - Angels
Creative Artiste Mixed Media Challenge - Anything MM Goes
Crafter's Castle - Anything Goes OPTION: Christmas Ornaments
Lindy's Gang - M, Color Challenge
HLS Mixed Media Challenge - Fantasy

Glitter Snowflakes

You must have heard of the beautiful dies that Birch Press manufactures?  They are extraordinary!  The dies are not cheap, but you can configure them so many ways that I think they are worth the price.  I don't have very many of them but I knew I needed a wintry set so I could throw together a last minute card if needed.  This lovely set is called ISSA and I think it is perfect for wintry, but not necessarily holiday, cards.  I hope you agree! 



What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Birch Press ISSA die set, #56082
Glitter Card in Blue and Light Blue
White, Blue and Light Blue Card
White Shimmer Card
Reverse Confetti Winter Words Die Set



Another Peek

I cut out a bunch of snowflakes with each die; in this case each die gives you three different
Just a few of the combinations
cuts, so I had plenty of options to use!  I made these two cards and I still have some left over!  Each die set I've gotten has at least two cuts to use except the larger cover dies.  One of these days, I am just going to cut out all of them and just play!  Making cards with these is almost like playing with paper dolls; you can just come up with endless combinations.  If you'd like some amazing inspiration, check out Jennifer McGuire's blog - she did a whole post on this very set - just click here to go there.


That's it for this post.  Easy, fun, sparkly cards are some of my favorites to make and receive.  I hope you like my cards, too!  Thanks so much for your continued support. - Fondly, Christi

I am entering my Glitter Snowflakes in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Warm Winter Wishes
City Crafter - #442, Snowflakes
ABC Christmas - M, Y is for Your Favorite thing, Z is for Zero Embellishments
Daring Cardmakers - Snowflakes Falling
Jo's Scrap Shack -#264, Anything Goes
Creatalicious Challenge - #153, Anything Goes, OPTION: Snowflakes
Dies R Us - #111, Anything Christmas, Entry #2
Mix it Up Challenge - #20, Anything Goes, OPTION: No Stamping
HLS Anything Goes w/ Dies Challenge 

Saturday, December 15, 2018

Always Jingle

I consider myself very blessed to have such a great relationship with my brother; especially because he is twelve years older than I am.  The older we get the more alike we are and we both have a sense of humor that leans on the darker side.  I made this Christmas card for him.


What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Holiday Patterned Paper {from stash}
Katzelcraft Cats stamp set, #KZT152 {the image was already colored and fussy cut}
The Ink Road Happy Holla Days stamp set
Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black
Die-Namics Stitched Circle STAX

I put this together in about 10 minutes, of course it helped that the cat was already stamped, colored and fussy cut.  So all I did was cut the circle out of white card. stamp the sentiment, glue the cat on, attached the patterned paper and let the whole thing dry.  Easy as pie!

I always stamp, color and cut out extra of whatever I am working on, it makes putting cards together SO easy {IF I can find the images; I have a horrible filing system that is basically a huge pile in a tray.}  I'm going to work on that.  I hope you like my snarky holiday card; I think this card is perfect for those who see things a wee bit skewed and my brother fits the bill.  Thank you so much for visiting! I'd love for you to let me know you were here so I can visit you back! Happy holidays! Christi

PS: I just have to share with all of you - it is incredibly hard for me to type out Christmas and not just type my name! You have NO idea! LOL

I am entering my Always Jingle Card in the following challenges:
Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers - #125, R is for RUDE Christmas

The Artistic Stamper - M, Christmas
Dies R Us Challenge - #111, Anything Goes Christmas
Animal Friends Challenge - #69, Anything Goes Christmas
Cardz TV - Anything Goes
Creative Friday - M, #220, Christmas Animals, entry #2
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Christmas
Shopping our Stash - #384, 'Tis the Season
SUYP - Meowy Christmas

Thursday, December 13, 2018

A Shaker Birthday Card


Hello everyone! As regular readers know, Helene is my dear neighbor who lives right next door.  She has a little pup named Lola.  The previous owner of the house was very fond of the many animals Helene and her family had over the years and Lola would climb and then jump over the chain link fence separating our properties, a carry over from when she'd visit here before we moved in.  We ultimately decided to fold the fence back so it is easier for Lola {and all of us} to go between the two houses.  All you have to do now is go under {or over if you're brave!} the metal bar that is left in place.  This way, if the need arises, we can just fold the fence back and attach it to the bar.  Anyway, Helene had to fly out to a wedding on her birthday and I didn't see her before she left.  As I suspected, most people forgot it was her birthday {with the wedding and all} so I wanted to make a really special card for her.  I hope you like it as much as she did! 
What I Used to Make this Card:
White Card Base
DCWV Peri & Peach Stack, #PS-005-00589 {available on the internet}
Winnie & Walter In a Word: Happy and Birthday {company closed in 2019}
Tutti Stitched Nested Rectangle Die, #TUTTI-217
Acetate
Sequins from stash

I made this shaker much like I've made all my other shaker cards except I
After the cut and the pieces
are glued to the acetate
needed to use the pieces of letters to make the actual letters.  I cut out the Happy Birthday from white card, attached the acetate to the back of the Happy Birthday with red liner tape then placed the word bits back into the dies, using the dies as a template to ensure the bits were where they were supposed to be.  I put some glue onto the letter pieces and then lined them up with my cut out words.  I poked the back of the pieces with a poker and most of them stayed where they belonged.  I
The "well" or shaker walls
did have to chase a few around the acetate; thank goodness the glue cleans up easily!  In fact, the most complicated part of this card was trying to get the pieces of the die cut letters to stay on the acetate.  I knew if I roughed it up a bit that would give the tooth needed, but I didn't want to rough it up.  I am all out of E6000 {my go to when nothing else works} so I had to just keep gluing the letters to the acetate and when I gave her the card, they were all stuck in place.  Hopefully, they still are.


Once all that was done, I went through my dies and found a rectangle to cut the Dollar Store foam board and made my frame to hold the sparkly goodies.  Foam board isn't as "deep" as the other white foam I sometimes use, but I had a piece left from another project that was the perfect size for the rectangle, so I used it.  Plus, you get a huge bit of it for only a dollar so it's much cheaper to use than the actual foam.  Just for your information, these are the two types of foam I use for making Shaker Cards:


This is craft foam.  I purchase the 6mm size and I get it from a local big box craft store.  The sheets are about a dollar a piece.  The best thing about using this foam as opposed to the foam board is that it is available in lots of different colors and the color is through and through.  So if you are making something where the white of the foam board is an issue, this stuff is your best bet. 

This is the foam board from Dollar Tree.  You can get much better quality foam board from the large art supply stores, but for what I use foam board, this is fine.  It cuts in a die machine with no problem {occasionally the white paper used as "cover" for the actual foam will rip off, but that isn't an issue since it's hidden} and it's lighter than the actual foam above.  Plus, you get a HUGE sheet for, yup, one dollar - in Colorado, plus tax.  It also comes in colors, but the foam I use is always white.

Now that you have been schooled in my favorite foams, let us move on.  I filled the shaker well {constructed with the foam board frame that I cut with the
This picture shows the pretty colors!
rectangle die} with all sorts of sparkly little bits - mini gems, iridescent sequins, happy birthday sequins, and basically what ever I could find.  I used primarily pink and gold sequins to match the background paper I was going to use.  Now, I often leave my shaker well filled up and on the side while I work on the rest of the card.  This time I learned my lesson; I spilled the sequins all over the floor!  Since the cats live in my craft room with me, there are all sorts of things on the wooden floor.  I sweep daily, but. . . well, if you have ever had animal helpers, you know you can only clean so much.  Needless to say, I had to sweep up all those sparkly bits and toss them in the trash.  No problem, we are crafters and mistakes are in our DNA!  I left the shaker frame empty until I had finished the base of the card; I added the frame last, after I had filled it up again with goodies to shake.


She absolutely adored the card and I love seeing her face light up when I give her cards I make.  She is like my mom in that aspect; she loves everything I give her.  The wedding was beautiful and she had a marvelous time so it was a great week for both of us.  Thank you for stopping by and I appreciate all of your encouraging and sweet comments - I may not reply to them all but I do read them.  Hope to see you soon ~ Fondly, Christi

Monday, December 10, 2018

A Meowy Christmas To All

I love cats. I have five fabulous felines and they are the loves of my life.  Since I can't possibly get any more cats {well, I could, but I'd need a better paying job!}, I collect cat stamps and I have since I began stamping a long, long, time ago.  The set I used to make this card is one of my new favorites; I mean, who wouldn't want a Christmas tree full of cats? A Catmas tree!!  Here is my design team entry for Not Just Cards - why not link up one of your holiday creations and join us?


What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Scrap White Card
Watercolor Paper {I use this}
Mama Elephant Oh Kitty Tree stamps
Mama Elephant Oh Kitty Tree dies
Zig Clean Color Markers
Sakura Gelly Roll Pens, Stardust Set
Distress Ink in Hickory Smoke
Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black

I have to tell you, I couldn't remember if I posted this card or not. I made it a few months ago and I looked through my blog posts to see if I had posted the card, couldn't find it, but I still wasn't sure.  To keep track of the products I use when I am making something, I have a notebook where I write the card name and then the items I used to create the card or project. I couldn't find the list in my book.  Now I KNOW I made the card because it's sitting right here in front of me.  For me not to write down something, even if I only get as far as the stamps and dies I've used, is not like me.  This card was a mystery.  I asked my friend who helps me with my blog if she'd seen the card before, and I checked my pictures.  Turns out I'd taken a few pictures, but the card wasn't ever posted.  Lucky you, I figured it out!  I can tell what I used by looking at the card and I know I started this one by stamping the Catmas tree on a panel of watercolor paper, then I colored in the cats, and cut out the tree.  The tree looked lost when I placed it onto the white card base, so I used a scrap piece of white card and inked it up with a light coat of Hickory Smoke just to give the tree something to be "on."

I stamped the sentiment onto the inked panel, then attached the Catmas tree to the panel, the panel to the card, and I have this adorable card.  I am in love with the cats that Mama Elephant puts out and I am so happy I got this set {I got it as soon as I saw it - I just could not help myself.}  I have a few other cards in the works using this same set and you will be seeing them soon.  Do you have a system for keeping track of what you've posted on your blog, or Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, Flickr, or any of the other social medias?  How do you know when a card, or project has been "done"?  In addition to my book, I used to keep my cards in separate piles by my computer, but my little, fat, black, cat, Mew, has decided I actually put them there for her to chew, so that system was abandoned.  Now I keep them out of her immediate reach; she's too lazy to figure out how she can get to them, thank goodness!  I hope you enjoyed my post for Not Just Cards! Thanks for stopping by and reading my post; I truly appreciate it!  I'd love it if you'd drop me a comment so I can come and see your blog and share some blog love with you!  Fondly, Christi

I am entering my Meowy Christmas card into the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Warm Winter Wishes
Papercraft Challenges - #26, Winter, Wintertime
Show Us Your Pussies - #37, Anything Goes with Cats
Coloring in Scrapland - Anything Goes - Option - Christmas
Winter Wonderland - End of Year Anything Christmas Goes
Crimbo Crackers - #173, Anything Goes
Christmas Sweet Stampin' - Anything Christmas Goes
The Little Red Wagon - #475 House Pets
Card Mania Challenge - #111, Christmas
Stampin Sensations - Winter Sparkle {the little ornaments really do sparkle!}
Archi-scraps - Anything Christmas
Do-Al(l) Creative - #24, Christmas/New Years Eve/New Years Day
2 Crafty Critter Crazies - #21, Anything Goes with a Critter
Merry Little Christmas Blog - #5, Anything Christmas Goes
Inkspirational - #175, Designers Choice, Anything Christmas