The June Card Chain Challenge Reveal!

Every Card Chain Challenge has several prompts, including colors and sketches you can use, to get that creative spark going.  You can even look up the criteria for the entire year if you are the type that can plan that far ahead.  In addition to those themes and prompts, there is one option that we have every month; friendship.  For me it's been a lifesaver.  Like this month.  When I totally forgot to get it in gear because I was mailing my card to Jo in England! It's been crazy around here with everyone's commitments (I am sure most, if not all, of you can relate), so I fell back onto the friendship theme. Here is my card:

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Purple and Peach Cardstock
Watercolor Paper
Oxide Distress Inks in Worn Lipstick, Cracked Pistachio, Wilted Violet and Broken China
Wendy Vecchi Stamp Set, Heirloom Art, #LCS103
Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black
Spellbinders Nestabilities Gold Labels, #4-SS-159
Distress Sprayer
Corner Punch
Pop Dots

Before I get into how I made my card, I want to share the card I received from Sabrina - she says she hasn't been active on her blog lately, but do give her some love as this card is SO cute!:

Back to my card. It was SO easy to make - once I found an Oxide ink background I liked.  I make them in bunches and don't always get to write down what colors I've used. However, this time I tried something different.  I had been making them all day and it was beginning to get tedious as even the most joyful activities can, and my color combinations were not as pleasing as they were when I began.  So, this time I laid down Worn Lipstick, Cracked Pistachio and Wilted Violet on my watercolor paper, played with it a bit and left it alone while I went and ate dinner. 

Once that was dry, I smooshed a bit of Broken China on the paper, sort of to fill in the "blanks", or, where I didn't feel the color was quite colorful enough.  

Typically, I'd been just pouncing all the Oxides together, spritzing them and using that.  Since I used three colors and then added the blue, it allowed me to be a bit more thoughtful about my color placement.  I'm pleased with the outcome and while this might not be a new concept to you, it sure is to me! I spritzed the paper, now with the four colors, lightly and dried it with my heat gun.

Another Look

I stamped my sentiment on the Oxide Ink'd paper using Ranger Jet Black, once it was all dry.  I wanted the card to be colorful, and a bit fancy, so I dug through my dies (I am amassing quite the collection!) and chose the Gold Labels #4.  I die cut the sentiment piece, and then an orange piece.  I pop dotted them on a bold purple (I had punched the corners with an old corner punch) and finally layered the purple on the white card.  I love the uplifting saying and have been a HUGE fan of Wendy's for years!  If you are interested, here is another really cool card I made using the same sentiment (and a discovery!)

I hope you are having a fabulous holiday! Thanks! Christi
PS: I made my own watermark! I have a few I made; what do you think?

I would like to enter my Friendship Card in the following challenges:
Creates & Makes - #13, Anything Goes, Create a Sentiment
Lemon Shortbread - #45, Anything Goes
TTCRD - Anything Goes
Fussy & Fancy - #190, Punches and/or Dies
Brown Sugar Challenge - #257, Anything Goes
One Crazy Stamper - M, July Challenge, Anything Goes
HLS, Watercolor Challenge - M, July, Anything Goes, optional Blue Twist
AAA Cards - #93, Words Take the Center Stage  

Stars for the May Card Chain Challenge

I cannot believe it is already time for the May Card Chain Challenge reveal!   It is absolutely crazy how time just slips away from me.  Anyway, this month I used Stars from the Theme Options and Washi Tape from the Product/Technique Options.  Now, if you decide to play, you can use all four options, or just one; it's up to you!  If you would like to see all of the options, please take a peek at the Card Chain Challenge website.  While you are there, why not sign up for the June challenge; you have until June 7th (plus, you can check out what the upcoming colors, sketch and themes are for the whole year - just click here.) Here is the card I designed for this challenge:

What I Used to Make my Card:
Navy Blue Card Base
Alcohol Ink Panel
Metallic Mixatives in Silver
Verses Birthday Sentiment Stamp, Star Danced, BB0407-D
Silver Star Foil Washi Tape (Available Online)
Silver Paper & Silver Glitter Paper Punched Stars
White Embossing Powder, Detail, Simon Says Stamp

Before I get into how I made my card, I want to share the card I received all the way from Jo in England.  Please do check out her amazing creations by clicking here:

Isn't that card darling??

I sent my card off to Sara in MO, who shows her cards off, as well as her sister's cakes, on her Flicker page.

Now, on to the tutorial. I made the alcohol ink panel first. I always make a few 
8 1/5 x 11" sheets when I have my alcohol inks out; I find that I typically use MUCH more ink than I need to and having the extra sheets out & ready makes it easier to make more sheets and not waste so much ink. .  If you aren't familiar with alcohol inks, I have a sort of

Original on Left; Reworked on Right

"beginners guide" here.  Anyway, my goal here was to make a background that looked like nightfall for this card as well as one that looked like the ocean for another card.  As I show in this comparison photo, I originally made the night sky a bit too busy and too silvery.  So I inked up the applicator with some blue inks and blending solution and lightened the panel up. 

Originally I wanted to emboss the sentiment in silver, but when I tested it out on the alcohol ink background,  the sentiment wasn't readable. I really didn't want to put the sentiment on another piece of cardstock, so, I used detail white embossing powder from

Another Look

Simon Says Stamp. I embossed directly onto the alcohol ink panel.  I edged the long edges of the panel with the washi tape and then placed the stars I had punched out onto various places on the card.  

I can't get a good picture due to the background being so shiny.  I always have a blast when I'm making things using alcohol ink - the only thing I struggle with is actually coloring with it! I've said this before, but making one card a month is such an easy thing to do and I look forward to receiving my card all month long.  It is a very rewarding experience, so, go to the Card Chain Challenge page and sign up to play!  There is even an option to opt out of sending cards overseas if postage is an issue.  I hope you have enjoyed my card ~ Christi

I am entering my Stars card in the following challenges:
Di's Digi Stamps - Birthday
Brown Sugar - #253, Celebrations
4 Crafty Chicks - #353, Birthday
Outlaws Twisted Thursday - Anything Goes, Twist: Stars
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
The Crazy Challenge - #249, Birthday

Where did I find all these fabulous challenges?!? At

Challenges for Days!

Sympathy Card & The April CCC Reveal

** two posts today - if you are looking for Stinkin' Inkers, click here**

This April's Card Chain Challenge is a sad one.  My receiving partner had a loss in her family, so I wanted to make her a sweet and simple condolence card.  To do that, this month I followed the sketch:

The CCC Sketch I Used

And here is the card I created for her:

I hope my card brings her some comfort. At the very least, she knows I am thinking of her.  

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Black Card Panel
White Cardstock
Unity Stamp Peace, Courage & Memories sentiment, GKD-004A
Darice Embossing Folder, Vine Pattern, #1219-136
Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels Forty-One (on sale for $4.49!!)
Simon Says Stamp Detail White Embossing Powder
Embossing Fluid
Die-Versions Whispers Stitched Nesting Squares, #DV-572 (for fishtail)
White Resin Flowers (from stash)
Pop Dots

First thing I did was find a nice embossing folder.  I think the Vine Pattern embossing folder can be used for many occasions.  I cut a panel (which, in my case is typically 1/4" smaller than the card base) out of black card and ran it through my Big Shot to emboss it.  I also ran some scrap white card through,

Some Dimension

matching the pattern, but you can barely see it (tip: die cut your cardstock before you dry emboss it!)  Once the cardstock was embossed, I set the black panel aside to figure out how I was going to make the fishtail I needed to coordinate with the sketch.  I envy the people who can cut evenly using hand held scissors, or who can figure out how to turn cardstock the correct way and then use their cutter; I can do neither.  But, a light bulb went off in my head; if I could find a square that matched up with the width of the piece of paper I wished to fishtail, I could do it with the die cut.  Lucky for me I had just purchased the Stitched Nesting Squares, so I set about lining the card and the square up and it worked! I have taken pictures of the process:

Step One: Align the square with the ends of your paper.  The ends of the die should go over the ends just a little bit to accommodate the space around the die cut.  I use temporary tape to keep my dies in place; I did this long before washi tape came out and it's cheaper.  If you look closely you can still see a bit of the dry embossing.

And there you go! A perfect fishtail! Also, note that the stitches in the die aren't a problem; they appear on the cut out, not the base. Now, just peel off the tape and put your die away.  I hope, between my explanation and the pictures, the process makes sense.


After I handled the fishtail (I am SO proud, can you tell?) I moved on to the sentiment of the card.  I embossed "So Sorry" using detail white embossing powder.  I die cut it, attached the 2 white resin flowers, and pop dotted it onto the banner.  I then attached the banner onto the embossed panel of black cardstock.  There you have it.  A simple sympathy card.  Before I go I wanted to share the card I received from Lucille: 

How cute is that! She had known of my love of cats and I adore the card! Just click her name and it will take you to her blog.  Also, today is Reveal Day - don't forget to go to the Card Chain Challenge website to see all the glorious cards

Another Peek

that were sent all around the world!

I hope you have a great day and will come back to see me soon ~ Fondly, Christi 


I am entering my Sympathy Cards in the following challenges:
Word Art Wednesday - Anything Goes
Crafting When we Can - #43, C A S
Brown Sugar - #248, No Image, Just a Sentiment
Crafty Catz - #368, Anything Goes
Deep Ocean - #154, Anything Goes

A Flowery Hello for the Card Chain Challenge

Hi everyone! I am finally feeling rested after the Valentine's Day frenzy.  Every year I do the same thing; I tell myself I am not going to make any more Valentine cards and I end up making one, teeny, little card and the next thing I know it's five days later, I have glitter glue in my hair,  my hand is glued to my desk, and I can't see anything among the scraps, stamps and embellishments that are all over the place.  I envision it like a crafter's "hangover" and it takes a while to recover!

Anyway, I made this card, which is totally out of my comfort zone (at least I think so) just because, but then I signed up for the Card Chain Challenge and discovered it fit the challenge!  I was really inspired by the new (to me) Spellbinders die set and I had some colorful scrap paper so off I went!  Here are the themes from which we were able to choose for March at the CCC:

Color Palette:

These colors are your guideline - exact matching is not necessary.

OR
Sketch

You can orient this sketch in any direction and/or flip it.
OR
One of the following themes: – Flowers  or  Fish  or  Friendship
OR
One of the following products: Stampers Anonymous stamps, Sequins, Fussy Cutting

My card, which was sent to Lizzy all the way in Australia, follows the theme of flowers and friendship. I hope you like it!

What I Used to Make my Card:
Square Card Base in Mint Green (5 1/4" x 5 1/4")
Blue Sky Paper (from stash)
DCWV Tie Dye Stack (discontinued but available)*
Unity Stamps "Hello" from He's a Wordy Buck, UK-705A
Spellbinders Die D-Lites Flower Field
Distress Ink in Wilted Violet
Martha Stewart Mini Pastel Pearls
Gems from my Stash
Pop Dots

*First, once again Die Cut With a View (DCWV) has released another stack with 

Original Tie Dye Stack

the same name as the stack I used in this project. Just in case you absolutely need the Tie Dye stack I used, this is a picture of the cover. I love DCWV stacks but they can be pretty pricey so I often end up buying them when they have been discontinued.  

All of the papers except the card base come from this DCWV Tie Dye Stack.  I cut out the dies a bazillion times and a bunch of extra flowers. If you aren't familiar with DCWV stacks they often include specialty papers and this one includes both glitter and gloss (a coating similar to the many commercial glazes out there).  All I used on this card were parts of the paper that had glitter, gloss or both, so I got some really pretty flowers.  And for once the gloss isn't leftover glue on the card. 

Another Look

Once felt I had enough of the die cuts, I figured out the placement on the mint green card base and started gluing the cuts down.  I ended up pop dotting some of the flowers but you can't really see that in the photos. There is plenty of texture with all the glitter and gloss; I added even more by using gems and pearls for the middle of some of the flowers.  You should be able to make any of the photos on my blog bigger by just clicking on them; let me know if you have trouble with this. 

Please take a moment to see the Card Chain Challenge Reveal that is posted on the main blog today.  

You get to see who sent who what and where everyone lives.  I am thrilled to be back playing in this "challenge;" it is SO cool to get a card in the mail - it sure beats junk mail! This month I was the lucky recipient of LesLee's card, isn't it fabulous!?! She had to take a short break from crafting, but do pop over to her blog and take a look at the work she has done - it really is marvelous and after that stop over to the Card Chain Challenge and check out the reveal!  Some of us may even include a goody or 2!

Thank you for stopping by and reading this rather long post.  I encourage everyone who makes cards to participate in the Card Chain Challenge.  It's so much fun to see a card online and actually have it in your hands! Please consider signing up, and if you have any questions not answered in the FAQs, feel free to email me and I will see what I can do to help you out. The rewards out weigh the effort!  Fondly, Christi

I am entering my Flowery Hello card in the following challenges:
Pixie's Crafty Workshop - week 275/276 - Anything Goes
Southern Girls Challenge - #156, Dyeing to See You (use a die)
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes (entry #2)
Deep Ocean Challenge - #151, Flowers Everywhere
Simon Says Stamp Work It Wednesday - Spring has Sprung

Bird on a Branch ~ Card Chain Challenge Reveal for March 2016

** I am sorry this is so late - I have been having some health issues lately and they have really put a dent into my crafting/blogging time.  I also want to assure you that while I am not commenting on your comments, I do read each and every one. Thank you for being so understanding!

For this month's Card Chain Challenge I chose to use the color palette.  Now, I don't think I matched the colors perfectly, but I think I did a good job considering I only used papers from my stash.  I sent this card off to Sent my card to Betty in Nebraska.

March 2016 Card Chain Challenge Color Palette

I received my card from Helen in Ohio yesterday - isn't it beautiful!?  You can see the sparkle of the Wink of Stella if you look close. . .

What I Used to Make my Card:

Blue Card Base

White Cardstock Panel

Colored Cardstock from Stash

Spellbinders In'Spire, Plum Blossoms, #IN-046

Spellbinders Nestabilities, Labels 41, #S4-468

Distress Ink in Bundled Sage

Hello Friend Stamp, Alesa Baker Designs, Impression Obsession #A9630
Quickie Glue Pen by Sakura

This was fairly easy, except trying to glue all the flowers onto the branch!! I began by die cutting the branch (when you die cut the branch, everything is attached to it - the flowers, bird, etc. but you get separate dies to add the items in different colors) out of pale sage, then the flowers out of  deep fir.  I glued each deep fir flower over the flower on the branch and even with the Quickie Glue Pen it wasn't easy! But I did it and then set it aside to dry.

I cut a white card panel to go over my blue card base and then die cut the bird out of the same blue card. I glued the top and bottom of the bird onto the branch.  I had an idea that the Bundled Sage Distress Ink would match the pale green card I used and thankfully, I was correct.  So I stamped my little sentiment on white card, then die cut it as well as the next biggest die in the group, attached that to the corner of the card and I was done!  As always, I put the finished card under the extra floor tile I have on my desk and let it sit overnight.  Thank you SO much for stopping by and I hope you consider signing up for the Card Chain Challenge (the link will take you to the rules page) - Deborah does such a splendid job and it really is SO much fun! Please take a moment to check out all the beautiful cards that were received and sent off this month here.  Fondly, Christi

I would like to enter my card in the following challenges:
Oh La La - #201, Feathered Friends
Glitter 'n Sparkle - #182, Use a Punch or a Die
ABC Challenge - "E" is for Everything
Things to Alter (M) - #3, Anything Goes, Twist, Use Birds
Animal Friends (M) - #37, Birds
Die Cut Divas (M) - Something You Associate with Spring (Birds! I love watching the birds)
Just for Fun (M) - Birds
Outlawz Challenges (M) - Festive Fridays - Several themes, I chose National Feather Day

Card Chain Challenge Reveal February 2016

For February's Card Chain Challenge, the lovely Deborah gave us tons of choices, as usual, to make our card for our recipient this month.  This month I chose St. Patrick's Day.  Being Irish, I have always loved this day and can remember more than a few times celebrating like my heritage dictates (hehehe).  I hope you enjoy my card:

Once again I was lucky enough to get Greta as my partner and this is what she sent me:

This picture does not do this beautiful card justice - the white "leaves" around the button are embossed with white, and the roses are also white embossed.  It's a very elegant card.

How I made My Card:

White Card Base
Silhouette Cut File (Shamrocks from Silhouette Store)
Numerous Green Papers
Spellbinders Nestabilities Labels 17
Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous "Simple Sayings", CMS155
Distress ink in Lucky Clover
Pop Dots

Easy peasy card this month - I have a TON going on and unfortunately couldn't really dedicate too much time to the card, but I still think it's cute. I started with a white card base then cut the 2 shapes out of green card using the Spellbinders Dies.  I cut one more die cut out of scrap white card and stamped my sentiment on that part using Simple Sayings (I have to say, this set is one of the best sets I have ever bought!).  I glued the sentiment die cut onto the smaller of the 2 green die cuts, then pop dotted that onto the larger green cut out.  My Silhouette Cameo cut the shamrocks out of glitter paper, and I arranged them on the card.

That's it! It's funny, as much as I love my Cameo, I still find myself using my Big Shot machine as much as I did before I got the Cameo. Of course, one of the best features of having a Cameo is the free files and I have amassed over 2,500 files - thank goodness they are easier to store that the die cuts! But, who knows, when life calms down (sorry, that last line made me hysterical) I'll use it more.  I hope everyone is having a fabulous week & thank you SO much for stopping by! Fondly, Christi

I am entering my Good Luck card in the following challenges:
Artistic Inspirations - Anything Goes
Our Crafty Corner - Anything Goes
Creative Knockouts - #130, Go Green
Southern Girls Challenge - Add a Little Sparkle

January 2016 Card Chain Challenge Reveal!

It's so good to be back playing with the Card Chain Challenge - I missed how much fun it is to make a card and actually send it! Seriously, I have a HUGE pile of cards, but that story is for another time. This month Deborah gave us the following perimeters to work with:

Sketch

Themes:  Winter / Valentine’s Day / Friendship

Products:  Stencils / Embossing Paste

                        Color Palette:

This month I chose to use the sketch, the theme of winter and the color scheme; daring, I know!  My card is on it's way from Agata, who's fabulous blog can be seen here.  Agata lives in Switzerland, and I am SO happy her card made it in time for me to show you:

Look at that sparkle!!! Thank you Agata!!!

 I sent my card to Jeanne in Minnesota; I don't think she's going to appreciate my snowflakes, but. . .

How I made my Card:
White Card Base
Sentiment from Memory Box, #B2060
Blue Papers from Stash
Tim Holtz/Sizzix Thinlits Die Cut Set, Labels, #660060
Snowflake Punches from Emagination
Silver Paper
Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black

After I dug through my stash (which took forever!) to try to find 3 papers I felt matched the color palette, I decided how I was going to incorporate the sketch into my card.  The sentiment stamp is brand new, never been inked, and I was dying to use it, so that was a given.  I punched the snowflakes using a set of snowflake punches I got ages ago when the company was going out of business. I remember I got an awesome deal! So, I punched the snowflakes using silver paper and set them aside.

Next I decided to use two of the circle dies included in the Sizzix Labels Set - there are 17 dies (!) in that set and it has been one of the best purchases I've made in a long, long time.  After I cut the circles out, I adhered the snowflakes to the circles and set them aside.  Now I was looking for a die for the sentiment.  I had already put the Labels Set away when it dawned on me that I would most likely find a die that fit my sentiment in that set - so out the set came again and sure enough I found the die that I used (I call it a blimp die because that's what it looks like to me - the circle dies are called POW dies from when you'd see that edged word bubble in comics when something shocking happened. Now, if I get famous, you have these fabulous obscure facts about me to amaze your friends).  I die cut the sentiment and adhered everything onto the blue background paper. Simple but effective!

Another Look

I hope Jeanne likes my card, it certainly evokes winter in my eyes.  Thank you for reading my little tutorial.  I have lots of fun stuff coming up this month, so stay turned, or better yet, subscribe to me! Why not join in the Card Chain Challenge? It's simple; you sign up, you make a card following the suggested theme(s), you send the card, you get a card AND there is a drawing each month for a fabulous prize :) It's a win win win situation ~ Fondly, Christi

I would like to enter my "Follow Your Bliss" Card in the following challenges:
Craft for the Craic (M) - January, January Blues
Addicted to Stamps - #119, Anything Goes
Brown Sugar Challenge - #183, Anything Goes
Southern Girls Challenge - Anything Goes
Aud Sentiments - #147, Anything Goes

Thankful ~ November Reveal at Card Chain Challenge

**If you are looking for the Through the Craft Room Door post, click here. Thanks!

Hi everyone! This is the last reveal for the year as Deborah has decided to give us a break for the holidays and the link to enter for January will be up and ready to enter on December 7, 2015. Why not join us for the New Year? For this reveal I got to send my card to Mrs. A, all the way across the pond to England! She honestly makes some of the most beautiful cards so I hope this one meets with her approval.  I received the card from Asha, who shares my love of cats.  I loved it SO much I hunted down the retired Clearly Besotted stamp & die set and I hope to get it soon.  Here is her spectacular card:

Asha's lovely card

It's it fabulous!?! And now here is my card, I used the theme of Friendship - I think the card can be used to show someone how grateful you are for their friendship.

How I Made my Card:
Alcohol Inks (various brands)
Glossy Paper
Kraft card base
Soft Swirls Background SU! (discontinued) there are many available
VersaMark Ink
Silhouette Cameo & Cut File
Darice Die Symmetrical Swirl 2014-65 - not sure status, but can be found in many places
Red Cardstock

it's a bit hard to see on the card

I had made the alcohol ink sheet before I made this card with the thought of using the sheet with the Silhouette and some cut files of words.  I found the thankful cut file and loved how it cut so I set it aside to use as the focal point for my card (I realize it is a bit difficult to read on the card, so if you look to the right side you'll see the same cutout in white).

Since my planned card needed something a little bit "more", I decided to look through my stash and I pulled out an old background stamp from Stampin' Up! that has got to be 15 or 20 years old.  I inked up the Soft Swirls background with VersaMark ink (I didn't want the background to overwhelm the already busy sentiment) and stamped.  I think the subtle design helps to bring the entire card together.

The last step was die cutting the swirls - I chose some nice red paper that matched the alcohol ink in the sentiment and cut two of them.  I placed them on the card, along with the sentiment, spaced them out and attached.  I really like this card (and so did Mrs. A!) and I hope you are all having a holiday season of gratitude! I would be grateful if you'd consider becoming a follower of mine as I am trying to meet a goal of 100 new followers in 2015 and I am only about 20 shy - Have a great day ~ Christi

Another look

I would like to enter my Thankful card in the following challenges:
Scrapbook Stamp Society - #80, Anything Goes w/ the Option of Thanksgiving/Fall
Creative Ladybirds Creations - M, #10, Anything Goes
Silhouette Challenge - M, #32, Anything Goes
AAA Cards - #52, Thanks/Thanksgiving
Addicted to Stamps Challenge - #114, Anything Goes
Whimsy Stamp Challenge - #88, Anything Goes - Holidays
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes (entry 2)

October Card Chain Challenge Reveal! Christmas Cat

This month I am writing this post on October 15th so that while I am away I'll just be able to click a button and it will post for me - the internet is a wonderful thing (as long as it works the way I want it to <grin>) - And I am still late posting this LOL!  I was given the opportunity to send to the lovely Dawn, who I had sent to in August, but said she really didn't mind and would love to get another card by me ~ she's so sweet! My sending partner is Helen; unfortunately I won't be getting the card in time to post here, but, please feel free to check out her inspirational blog!

Now Deborah gives us plenty of themes to choose from - 

One of the following themes: – Thanksgiving  or  Cats  or  Friendship

So, of course I chose CATS! Now I had sent a cat card out last month and I was tempted for a hot second to do something else, but, I just so happened to become the new owner to a stamp/die set that I HAD to use. So, here is my card: 

What I Used to Make my Card:

Red Cardstock Base

Tim Holtz Stampers Anonymous Crazy Things Stamp Set, #CMS237

Newton's Nook "Newton's Antics" stamp set and die set

Derwent Inktense Pencils, 12 pack 

Inkadinkadoo Sentiment, #9726-LL (discontinued but available)

Star Sequins (gold, green & red)

White Cardstock

Red Cardstock

Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black

140lb Watercolor Paper

SU! Blender Pen

Pop Dots

Pity the Hat covers most of him!

First thing I did was stamp the kitty from Newton's Nook a few times on watercolor paper and I sat and colored in all the cats using different colors - expect to see them popping up soon.  I choose one for this card and decided he needed a Santa Hat.  So I stamped the Santa Hat from the Crazy Things stamp set, once on red card and once on white card.  I fussy cut the red hat out, and then the ball at the end of the hat and the fur trim out of white card.  I attached the trims to the hat and set it aside.

  

I colored my kitty using Derwent Inktense Pencils, my absolute FAVORITE 

pencils (I have to get the 24 pack - on my wishlist!) used an SU! Blender Pen to

color him in, and then die cut him out using the coordinating set, he was ready to go.  I stamped the sentiment on white cardstock using the Jet Black ink and trimmed it down. I think it's cute that he looks like he is holding the sentiment (or stalking it).  Next, I took the Santa hat and used pop dots to attach it to the cat's head.  For the finale, I had taken some old sequin stars from the stash and interspersed them through out the card.  I hope Dawn likes it!

Now, if this sounds like fun, getting a card in the mail every month, then please consider signing up for the Card Chain Challenge - you can do so here - November is the last one of 2015, but they will return January of 2016.  Thank you so much for stopping by and please consider becoming a follower of mine - I am trying to get 100 followers in 2015 and I am only a few shy - thank you! Christi

I am entering my Christmas Cat card in the following challenges:
Her Peaceful Garden - Cat Lover's Blog Hop
Winter Wonderland Challenge Blog - Anything Goes as Long as it's Christmas
Fab 'n Funky Challenge - #279, Anything Goes as Long as it's Christmas
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes (#2)
ABC Christmas Challenge - V for Very Cute
Allsorts - #335, Christmas

You're Purr-fect! The September Card Chain Challenge Reveal!

Happy October (can you beleive it??) - I know. . .time is FLYING by.  Welcome to September's Card Chain Challenge Reveal.  This month I got daring and went with the color palette:

Yes, the cobalt & Ivory are not on the correct colors, but I figured it out!

 And here is the card I sent Monica in Illinois:

If you follow my blog, you know I love my kitties (and am the proud mom of the Fabulous Feline Five) and I just got this new set from Penny Black so I HAD to break it in.  Before I get to the directions on how I made my card, this is the lovely card I received from Marga, all the way from Spain: (sorry it's a tad crooked - that's MY fault) 

OK, back to my card.  As I said, I used the color palette this month, and to ease myself into that I used one of my favorite subjects, cats.  Interested in duplicating my card? Well, here you go:

How I made my Card

Vanilla Card Base

Penny Black "Nine Lives" set, 30-050

Cobalt, Olive & Vanilla Cardstock

Die-Namics MFT Stitched Oval Stax #MFT-521

Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black

Large Cat Punch

I stamped the cat & sentiment, using Ranger ink in Jet Black onto Vanilla card

and cut it out, as well as the layer using cobalt and olive, using the dies from the Stitched Oval Stax. Then I glued them together as shown in the picture.  I felt that the card needed a little bit more of something, so I dragged out my large cat punch (manufacturer unknown) and punched two cats out of the cobalt and two from the olive cardstock.  I placed them as if they were running around the center ovals.  

Thank you so much for stopping by and I hope you will consider joining us at the Card Chain Challenge (here is the link to the FAQ's).  All you need to do is make a card, following the very easy options, and send it off!  Not only do you get to brighten someone's day, you'll also receive a card and get your day brighter as well! It's a win-win if you ask me ~ Fondly, Christi

I would like to enter my "You're Purr-fect" card into the following challenges:
Addicted to Stamps - #146, Clean and Simple
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Scrappy Land - Use an Image & And Any Die Brand They Sell (Die-Namics)
Fan-Tastic Tuesday - #105, Anything Goes w/ a Twist of Pets
TTCRD - Anything Goes, Sept 29 - Oct 5

August Card Chain Challenge Reveal ~ Sun Card

Hi all! This my Card Chain Challenge August card. My send to partner this month was Dawn from New Zealand and you can go to her lovely blog by clicking here. I really struggled with this month and I am not sure why.  It seemed my creative muse took a summer vacation!  After many restless nights, I decided to design my card based on the sketch and friendship, two of the many choices we had this month to use when making our cards. This is the sketch:

My sending partner for CCC this month is Arlene, please check out her wonderful blog, A Bit of this and That, she has some absolutely stunning cards! And the card to the left is the one she sent me - You can't see it, but the entire card has subtle glitter on it and the "hello" and star are cut of glittered paper! Scrumptious!



Now, on to my card, the one I sent Dawn:

It's light, but I wanted to show the sparkle - there is a darker pic below

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Cardstock Base
Glitter Cardstock in Yellow & Orange
Silhouette Cameo & Cut File #61845
"Hello Friend" stamp, Alesa Baker for Impression Obsession
Gold Paper
Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black
1" Circle Punch
Gold Dragonfly Sequin
Wink of Stella in Clear

I cut the sun Silhouette Cut file out twice, in both the orange & yellow glitter cardstock.  I glued the yellow sun to the card base and then took the positive cut outs, the rays, from the orange sun, and pieced those where the rays of the yellow sun were.  Reading this it seems as clear as mud, but I know you'll understand (plus the picture kinda explains it all).  I put the card under a heavy tile that I have on my desk for this purpose and let it dry overnight.

Meanwhile, I then stamped my sentiment (how cute is this stamp? I needed a something to put on my CCC cards and this adorable "hello friend" fit the bill perfectly) on some gold cardstock and used a circle punch to punch it out.  I had originally tried using gold vellum because I didn't want the circle to obscure the sun, but, the vellum crinkled horribly when I tried to attach it, so I used the gold paper instead. The sequin dragonfly was something I have had for years, literally. I thought that little bug made the card.  Since the sun was SO bright, the little left over parts of the card base seemed kinda dull, so I swiped them with the Wink of Stella pen in clear to finish the card off. 

Another look - I think you can see the detail better in this dark one. . .

I hope you enjoyed my tutorial and my Sun card.  Please consider becoming a follower to help me meet my goal of 100 new followers in 2015 (I am only about 25 people shy of my goal!) I'd really appreciate it. Hope you are having a fabulous day! OH! I volunteer at a blog called Challenges for Days and we are in need of some help - please go here if you can spare an hour a week to get more details ~ Christi

I would like to enter my Sun Card in the following challenges:
Clear it Out Challenge - Anything Goes
The Cheerful Stamp Pad - #119, Remembering Summer
Frilly & Funkie - A Touch of Gold