You Make my Heart Happy

This card is another one that was all ready to be published; I had written it up before I had my crafting sabbatical and promptly forgot about it! I love the layering of this stamp set and the color combinations are limitless!  I hope you like this creation as much as I do! 

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Altenew Botanical You stamp & die set
Hero Arts ink in *Feather, Moss, Strawberry, Bubble Gum and Butter Bar
Dimensional Dots

* I could not find a listing for the Feather color of ink I used.  I had gotten that ink from the Hero Arts Kit Club, My Monthly Hero, and it is possible the color is no longer available.

Another look

Reading the instructions included with the stamp set, I stamped each portion of the letters using the inks in the same order they are listed above.  I die cut the letters and attached them to the card base with dimension dots.  Once I mounted the word YOU onto the card base I added the hearts using Strawberry and Bubble Gum inks. Finally I added the sentiment on the card using Moss ink.  I need a bit more practice lining everything up but I am happy with how this card came out.  Thanks for stopping by, and I appreciate your continued support more than you know! Hugs, Christi

 

I am entering this card into the following challenges:
Allsorts, #613 - Feminine
Crazy 4 Challenges, #573 - Floral and/or Flowers
Cute Card Thursday, #675 - Feminine
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
The Sisterhood of Crafters - Anything Goes
TTCRD - Anything Goes
Cutie Pie Challenge Blog, #156 - Hearts & Flowers

Hero Arts Love is Love

Hi everyone,

Hero Arts periodically offers items that when they are purchased, a portion, or all of the profits go to different causes.  Both of the sets I used to make this card are an example of such products.  In addition to their own charitable giving, Hero Arts also collaborated with many other stamp companies to put out products such as the We Stand with You stamp set; it is worth a look, especially with so many different styles in one set!  The sets I used for this card are part of the Kindness Campaign {you can read about the various ways Hero Arts gives and supports various charities by clicking that link}.

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Tutti Designs Nested Stitched Hearts die, #TUTTI-216
Hero Arts Support Prayers Love stamp set, #CM219 {retired}
Hero Arts You Are Loved stamp set, #CM171
Kaleidacolor Ink Pad in Spectrum,  #KA-000-001
Dimensional Dots

I just have to start with the fact that I have had this Kaleidacolor ink pad for over 20 years and I have never had to re-ink it or ever had any issues with the pad or any other Kaleidacolor pads I have.  I even had one on which the top got cracked during a move and I put the pad in a zipper bag and it STILL works!  When I find a product that I feel is a great value, I just have to share it!  So I stamped the image of the hands holding the heart globe on a scrap piece of white card, cut that out with the stitched heart die, and set it aside.  Then I took the card base and stamped the sentiment on it with the same Kaleidacolor pad as I used to stamp the focal image. I attached the heart with dimensional dots and I was finished. I think the message of this card is so timely and the CAS design catches your eye. What do you think?

Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to look at my card.  I appreciate it SO much! Also, in the near future I will be having a giveaway on my Instagram account so if you are a part of that social media I urge you to begin following me, don't worry, I will happily follow you back!  If you aren't yet on Instagram, well, you don't know what you are missing!  There is more content, crafters, ideas, and things to inspire you than anywhere else I have seen.  And you can use your computer; just go to Instagram.com and make an account!  Hoping you and yours are healthy & happy!   

Fondly, Christi

PS: My editor and dear friend, Nana Connie is in the hospital with pneumonia - maybe you could pop over to her blog and let her know you are thinking of her?? She can read her FB posts in the hospital and I know many of you know her.  I'm sure she'd appreciate so love! She also said, if you have her address, send cards there.  Praying for you Connie!!

I would like to enter my card in the following challenges:
Love to Scrap, #142 - Love is. . .
Love to Craft Challenge Blog (LCCB), #55 - Anything Goes
Krafty Chicks, #548 - Occasions {I think love is an occasion!}
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Double D Challenges - Anything With a Heart {2nd card}
Happy Little Stampers CAS - Love is in The Air
Day of the Month Card Club, #24 - Valentine's Day/Love
Sweet Stampers, #53 - CAS
Dare to be Artzy - Love

Hey, you! Happy Valentine's Day

Hey everyone!

If you follow me on any social media then you know I love cats.  I am an animal lover, but cats have a special place in my heart; so, when I see a new stamp set with cats in it I have to get it! This adorable stamp set falls in that category {see what I did there?!?} and while it is technically a Valentine's Day set, I think it can be used anytime.  Here is my first creation using this set:

What I Used to Make this Card:
White Slimline Card Base
Leftover Pink Scalloped Slimline Piece {from this Lawn Fawn Die Set}
Gina Marie Designs Big and Little Chain Die Set
Simon Says Stamp Heart Animals Stamp Set, #SSS302247C
Simon Says Stamp Heart Animals Die Set, #SSSD112290C
Watercolor Paper {I use this}
Zig Clean Color Brush Markers
Gina K Amalgam Ink Pad in Obsidian Ink
Pink Card

Once the animals were stamped, colored and cut I set them aside for a bit whilst I decided what kind of card I wanted to make. Since I wanted to use all the critters, I decided it had to be a slimline card.  Luckily I had the white scalloped panel left over so I used that to attach my animal panel to, after edging them with a pale pink marker to make them stand out a bit more.  Once I had them on the panel I then stamped the sentiment directly onto it before layering onto the pink chain card I had cut out. Finally I layered the whole thing onto the slimline white card.  I really think the "hey you" sentiment in this set is so quirky and I expect to be using that a lot in my upcoming projects. 

This was a fun card to make and the images make me smile! I like that you can see just a bit of pink peeking out from under the white and the card doesn't do the chain die set justice, I am sure I will be making another card featuring those dies, so you can get a good look at them.  Thanks so much for taking the time to stop by and check out my card; if you follow me on any of the social media platforms on the right side please let me know so I can follow you back!

Crafty hugs, Christi

I would like to enter my card in the following challenges:
CCEE Stampers, #2107 - Love your Pet Day
Cute Card Thursday, 674 - Slimline
Addicted to Stamps & More, #339 - Any Occasion
Double D Challenges - Anything with a Heart {mood board below}
Creative Inspirations Challenges - Animals {Jan - Feb Challenge}
SUYP Challenge, #63 - Furrything goes with a Cat
Crafty Animals, #47 - Anything Goes with an Animal
NBUS, #23 - Anything Goes with Using New Stuff {entry 2}

Shaker Magnet & Owl Ornament

Every year I make my sister some small trinket she can put on her little Christmas tree or hang on something else.  Since it is well past Christmas - yes, I am late {I honestly forgot I even had this post waiting to be published!} - I wanted to share this year's goodies.  :) 

I had made the little owl ornament a while back with stuff from my stash and some Stickles Glitter Glue as the snow {if you want to know any of the items I used in the owl ornament just let me know}.  What I want to focus on is the beach scene globe, which is a shaker magnet.

What I Used to Make my Shaker Globe
Sizzix/Tim Holtz Tiny Travel Snow Globe Dies Set, #664182
Dimensional Domes, #663559
Various Cardstock {including heavy duty white}
Simon Says Stamp Nested Circle Wafer Dies, #SSSD111466
Wooden Circle from Stash

Magnet from Stash
Shaker Stuff from Stash {I don't know what to call this - it is similar to little rocks}

I got the idea to make her a beach scene magnet since she moved from Florida to Colorado and often will say she misses the beach.  Well, now she has a little piece of it that she can look at when she feels the need!  I started the magnet by cutting out all of the pieces, then assembling them on the circle I had cut out prior {the circle is included with the dies}.  Once that was done and dried, I cut out another circle, using heavy white card and the Simon Says Stamp die, and placed the scene on that.  I used E6000 to glue a wooden circle to the assemblage; I didn't want to glue the magnet to just paper and have it possibly rip, so I used the wooden circle as the stage for the magnet.  Lastly, I put a small bit of shaker material on the scene and glued the plastic globe onto that.  It was really very simple to make as long as you have the ability to work with tiny pieces of cardstock.  I have never

Side View

been able to use tweezers so I just use my fingers, toothpicks, and luck. 

I hope you like my magnet and owl ornament - she was thrilled.  I have since acquired the Tiny Snow Globes set so expect to see some holiday magnets coming your way!   Very soon I will be having a giveaway on my Instagram account so if you are part of that social media, I urge you to begin following me.  Don't worry, I will happily follow you back!  If you aren't yet on Instagram, well, you don't know what you are missing!  There is more content, crafters, ideas, and things to inspire you than anywhere else I have seen.  And you can use your computer!  Just go to Instagram.com and make an account. Thanks for stopping by!   Fondly, Christi

I am entering my Beach Shaker Magnet in the following challenges:
Happy Little Stampers Anything Goes with Dies, February Challenge
NBUS February Challenge, #23 - Never before Used Stuff {the Tim Holtz products are NBUS}
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Add Some Texture {my shaker element!}
UnstampaBelles, #108 - Anything Goes
We Love 2 Create, #2 - Anything Goes Mixed Media
CRAFT Challenge, #586 - Anything But a Card
More Mixed Media Challenge - Anything Goes
Creative Artiste Mixed Media Challenge, #68 - Anything Goes

Happy Valentine's Day!

 Hi everyone :) I hope this post finds you in good spirits! This was a simple card that took no time to make at all but I think it's striking. Hope you like it too!

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Pink Card & Darker Pink Card
Gina Marie Designs Argyle Heart Plate Background
Poppystamps Doodle Happy Valentine's Day Die, #2166 {retired but available}
Pink 1/2 Pearls

I just love Gina Marie Designs and I am so happy I found them!  If you are a die lover like I am, this is one of the best places to go for new designs that are inexpensive.  They do carry a limited number of other crafting products but to be honest I just looked at the dies.  Anyway, I began this card by cutting out the Argyle background and adhering it to a white card base.  Then I glued 1/2 pearls onto the design, four to a row.  After I was sure they dried, I cut and glued on the sentiment.  Easy card but as I said, I think it is beautifully striking! Thanks so much for stopping by!  Fondly, Christi

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
Poppystamps, #77 - I Love You
Cut it Up, #219 - All You Need is Love
Daring Cardmakers - Share the Love
Color my Heart Color Dare, #431 - Shades of Pink and 1 other Color {white}
Watercooler Wednesday, #308 - All About Occasions

Sending Lots of Love

I have been seeing these adorable Lawn Fawn slimline cards everywhere and I am sure you have, too.  The images are so cute and I finally broke down, bought the stamps and dies, then made my own and here it is:

What I Used to Make my Card:

White Slimline Card Base

Lawn Fawn Special Delivery Stamps, #LF2466

Lawn Fawn Special Delivery Dies, #LF2467

Lawn Fawn Special Delivery Box Add On Stamps, #LF2468

Lawn Fawn Special Delivery Box Add On Dies, #LF2469

Lawn Fawn Cloudy Stencil, #LF2250

Ranger/Tim Holtz Distress Oxide Ink in Broken China

Watercolor Paper {I use this}

Zig Clean Color Brush Markers

Gina K Amalgam Ink Pad in Obsidian Ink

As always, my first area of business is to stamp, color, and cut all of the elements I want to use on my card.  Second, I used the cloudy stencil to make the sky and stamped the sentiment directly onto the card base. I dressed up the canary to make him look like a mailman and adhered him and the owl to the card, followed by all those cute little letters and hearts.  I really enjoy making scenes and I am happy I am fortunate enough to have acquired all the cool backdrops that I have as they make it so easy to make a scene card.  Honestly, I am not a huge fan of Valentine's Day but being able to make a cute card like this makes all the engagement commercials worth it! 

I hope this card put a smile on your face!  I appreciate you taking the time to visit me here and I hope you'll consider following me.  If you do, leave me a message so I can follow you back. Fondly, Christi

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Make a Slimline Card
Mod Squad - Must Have the Word LOVE
Fab 'n Funky, #510 - Love, Heart
Cuttlebug Mania - Put an Animal on it {hope the birds count!}
NBUS Challenge, #23 - Never Before Used Stuff {the stamps, dies and stencil!}
Shopping our Stash, #438 - Love is in the Air
Double D Challenge - Valentine Love
The Paper Players, #527 - Hearts and/or Stars

Simon Says Stamp Scattered Hearts 2Fer

I am on a roll with making more than one card using the same items!  I am not sure why; it isn't easier to do and it surely isn't easier to take pictures of a 2fer, but I can't seem to help myself!  Here are my latest 2fer creations:

What I Used to Make my Cards:
White Card Base
Light Pink Card Base
White Card
Shades of Pink Card
Simon Says Stamp Stacked Hearts Wafer Die, #SSSD111540
Simon Says Stamp i love you Shadow Wafer Die, #SSSD111800
Distress Oxide Inks in Spun Sugar, Picked raspberry and Candied Apple

These were surprisingly easy to make and I had originally planned on just making the one card that says "I Love You" on it. I had cut out another of the stacked hearts since I wanted to put some white inlay hearts into the original card.  Then I realized, why not use the white leftover frame as a stencil and make another card?  So that's what I did, using distress oxide inks.  All along I had planned on just using the stencil and throwing it away but I loved how pretty it was once I was done blending the inks so I used that part too! That is how most of my 2fers are born; the leftovers are too good to throw out so I make another card to use them up.  It's a win-win in my mind.  I get more cards and I make less waste.  

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I'm wondering do you often find yourself making two or more cards out of the same supplies?  How does the process work for you?  Let me know in the comments below!  Fondly, Christi

I am entering my card in the challenges below:
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Love is in the Air
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Love/Hearts
Inkspirational, #232 - Hearts
My Time to Craft, #450 - Love
Little Red Wagon, #587 - Total Eclipse of the Heart
Sisterhood of Crafters - Create Your Own Background

Love is in the Air with Paper Funday's February Challenge

Hello everyone! I'd like to take this time to announce that I am now on the Design Team of  The Paper Funday Challenge Blog which is a monthly challenge open to any and all papercrafts!  I am very excited to share my first creation for the month of February; our challenge is Anything Goes with the Option of Love is in the Air.  I chose to work with the option this month and here is my card:

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Red Cardstock
Light Pink Cardstock
Simon Says Stamp Pawsome Love Stamp Set, #SSS102077
Simon Says Stamp Pawsome Love Die Set, #SSSD112094C
Simon Says Stamp Ornate Love Dies, #SET12180L {retired, I just used the heart die}
Gina Marie Designs Lacey Lattice Rectangle Dies 
Watercolor Paper {I use this}
Zig Clean Color Brush Markers
Gina K Amalgam Ink Pad in Obsidian Ink
Derwent Inktense Pencils
Stickles Glitter Glue in Christmas Red 

I've been finding that using colored pencils, watercolor or not, along with my Zig Clean Brush Markers allows me to color in designs better and I have much more fun when I am mixing mediums.  That is what I did with the images I used on this card; I stamped them, colored them, {I can't remember which I used first but I think it was the pencils} and then cut them out, and set them aside.  For a background, I used the lace lattice dies and red cardstock.  I had first used a clear dimensional gel on the heart balloons but for some reason as it was drying it cracked and while that look may be fine for some projects, it just didn't work for this one so I covered the clear dimensional gel with the Christmas Red Stickles and they came out nice and sparkly.  I stamped the sentiment onto light pink card and used a heart die to cut it out.  Lastly, I adhered all the pieces to the card base and here you have it!

I love how each of the kitties is different; I still have yet to master adding stripes to my cats without them looking silly, but I think these cats are adorable even without the stripes!  Now it is your turn to create a paper craft or two and enter it into our challenge; after all you have the entire month so I am positive you can make something and join in the fun{day}!  I hope you enjoyed my card!  I am hoping to see you soon!  Fondly, Christi

Sending Hugs Shaker Card

This card has been in the works for a while and it is actually a comedy of errors.  While I am pleased with the end result, the picture I had in my mind's eye was a little different.  Here is what I used and how I made the card {including what went wrong!}

What I Used to Make My Card:
White Card Base
Dark Pink Glitter Card
Various Shades of Pink Card
Birch Press Designs Adora Die Set, #56093
Birch Press Designs Big Hugs Sugar Script Die, #57138
Birch Press Designs Just Because Stamps, #CL8124 {retired but available}
Gina K Amalgam Ink Pad in Obsidian Ink
Thick White Card
Acetate
Shaker Material from Stash {lips sequins, red cup sequins, red seed beads}

I started this card because I wanted to make a shaker card using the beautiful Birch Press Design Dies, so I cut the three layered dies out of glitter and colored cardstock, then proceeded to make a base out of five or six cuts using only the bottom die.  I used a circle die to cut a piece of acetate, attached that to the top portion of the shaker and set the 2 pieces {the top and the stacked bottom} aside to dry.  When I went to assemble the shaker itself, I could not find the bottom stacked piece.  I don't know if you have ever made a shaker card this way, using a stacked piece, but it isn't difficult.  It is time consuming, especially using an intricate die such as this. I looked everywhere; it was gone and the cats were not talking.  So I made another stacked piece and set that aside to dry.  This time when I went to assemble the shaker everything was there and I moved on.

I started this card sometime in December and when it came time to attach the shaker piece onto a card base, I decided white looked best so I glued the shaker onto a white card base.  Then came time for the sentiment.  I knew what I wanted to use.  I grabbed my Platform to stamp "sending" directly on the card and I couldn't do it.  Where I had already glued the shaker was causing the Platform to not make contact with the card.  I wrestled with this for a good amount of time, moving the card around, thinking if I wanted to risk stamping without the Platform {the old way; I am NOT good at the old way of stamping. I shudder to think of all the paper and ink I wasted trying to get a good impression.  And I can't use the old stamp positioners. I have two of them gathering dust somewhere and I just cannot get them to work properly} so I resorted to putting the entire sentiment on a separate piece of card and attaching that to the card base.  Normally I would have worked all of these tiny issues out prior to gluing anything down but because I didn't want to lose the shaker, I didn't even think of the possible sentiment issues.  To a non-crafter this is NOT a big issue.  I tried to talk to my roommate about it to get some sympathy and he just didn't get it.  Anyway, I stamped my sentiment and used the hugs die.  As a little bit of bling, I used a few of the hearts left over from making the shaker.  I can promise you I will never jump the gun like this again!  I blame the fact that I worked on it, set it aside, then worked a little more, instead of doing my usual work style and finishing the card within a week of starting it.  I would have liked the card better if the stamping and die cut were literally on the card, but it is what it is.

I know we all have little fails and I'd love to hear about some of yours below.  Maybe the one fail that sticks out in your mind is not so much for what went wrong but why.  Oh, and I did find the first stacked portion I made.  Under the paper cutter!  I still suspect the cats had something to do with it but until I install those nanny cams, I just need to move on.  Thank you so much for reading all of this and I know YOU feel for me!  Fondly, Christi

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp, Monday Challenge - Love/Hearts
Use Your Stuff, #145 - Hearts
Sweet Stampin'  - Love
Color Hues, #11 - Red and Pink
Dies R Us, #162 - Anything Goes
Crafting Happiness, #82 - Hearts