How I feel About Valentine's Day

It's been so long since I've posted, it feels like months! First, my camera died - I can't say anything bad about it because it was about 18 years old, so getting a new one proved interesting and once I got the new camera I got sick.  So, I am far, far behind; I didn't even post any Christmas cards.  But here I am, and I plan on getting back on track!  Today I am sharing a card for Valentine's Day - I admit, it isn't one of my favorite holidays, and I express that fact with all these Simon Says Stamp dies and a few other goodies!

First I covered the white card base with a stencil from Kindred Stamps using Distress Ink Old Paper - I covered the stencil very lightly as I wanted the background to be visible, but not be the first thing your eye goes to.  Once that was done I cut the first die out of black card, the second part of the sentiment is cut out of red card, and I cut the "happy" off.  I used a cute alphabet from CZ Design to put the "it's" in between the words; looks like the Archie Jr. Solid Alphabet dies{czd50}I used are no longer available, but any small alphabet will do..  I finished the card off by using some old heart washi tape and some red hearts I had cut out using the Chunky Hearts Panel Wafer die.

Now I will be sharing some more "love" cards, and I even have a Galentine one to share :) Thanks for checking out my anti-Valentine :) Fondly, Christi

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Love is in the Air
Use Your Stuff #441 - Hearts/Love
Crafty Gals Corner, #228 - Add a Heart
Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers, #203 - J is for Judgemental {see Emma below}
Inspiration Station, #23 - Candy Hearts {I actually can't stand candy hearts - sorry!!! LOL}

You're Sweet at Paper Funday!!

Boy, pink is a TOUGH color to photograph! But I still love this card and made it for the Paper Funday February "Hugs & Kisses" challenge.  I adore Lawn Fawn Products and this was made with some of the older ones, but I have some new ones in the works, so stay tuned!I

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Slimline Card Base
Pink Card
White Card
Lawn Fawn Slimline with Hearts, Landscape, #LF2476
Kat Scrappiness Slimline Never Ending Nesting Dies
Lawn Fawn You're Sweet Line Border, #LF1560
Lawn Fawn Polka Heart Backdrop Die, Landscape, #LF1830
Lawn Fawn Hedgehugs Die, #LF730

I stretched myself making this card; there is NO stamping on it at all!  I almost had to stamp a sentiment, but as you can see I worked that out. Let me explain how I made the card. I started with the slimline card and cut out the back layer and the front layer, using pink and white card. Then I cut out the hearts so they were visible through the hearts on the front of the card.  I wanted the small hearts to be white, so I used some scrap white card to layer behind it.  I attached that portion close to the top because my plan was to use the sentiment at the bottom of the card.  Well, that didn't work out very well. First it didn't fit and then there was the dilemma of what color should the sentiment be?  I really did not want to introduce another color to the pallet so I just moved the sentiment up a bit and placed it onto the focal part of the card. Then I had to figure out what to add to the bottom since there was too much space to just leave it {at least I thought so.}  I debated if I should trim it {there doesn't seem to be any real standard yet for slimline cards.}  No trimming; instead I focused on something I could add.  I tried pearls and gems until my eye settled on the Hedgehugs set that was on my desk.  Perfect!  I cut out those little hearts five times and adhered them to the bottom of the card.  I doubt you'd think that space was unplanned if I didn't tell you!  I love the way the card came out, especially the little hearts along the bottom!  I hope to see your "Hugs & Kisses" projects on the Paper Funday Challenge! Thanks for stopping by!  Fondly, Christi

Celebrate with River of Creativity!

 December is here and this months challenge at River of Creativity is Celebrate! You can enter anything that you've created that means celebration to you! I made this card especially for this challenge to celebrate my growth as a card maker and to celebrate this wonderful season.  I hope you like it!

I used Trinity Stamps Slimline All Spruced Up stamp set to make the fur tree outline, the pine cones, poinsettia flowers & leaves; I stamped the fur trees with Wendy Vecchi's Archival Ink in Fern Green,   for the pine cones I used Potting Soil, all on regular card.  Then I used the Fern Green for the poinsettia leaves and Red Geranium for the flowers on watercolor card (the Fern Green and Red Geranium are the best inks to use for green & red designs in my opinion.  I haven't found better colors yet!).  I used my Zigs to color in the poinsettias and the leaves. I used the coordinating dies to cut everything out and used a slimline card base. Then I cut out the sentiment from glitter card and glued it onto vellum. That was placed on the card, the poinsettias are pop dotted and the little glitter dots are Christmas Red Stickles.  I realize my sentiment isn't perfectly placed, but I loved this card so much I wanted to share it anyway. I hope you have a celebration project you can share with is at River of Creativity - remember, you can enter anything that is handmade!

This is the last challenge for now - after the holiday season is over stay tuned for a NEW River of Creativity Challenge - we are doing a revamp!! COMING SOON!!!

I wish that each & every one of you has a peaceful holiday season :) Be safe :) Thanks!! Christi

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Sparkle Mode
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Holidays/Christmas
International Art & Soul, #123 - Use Dies and/or Punches
Allsorts, #653 - Use a Die
Cut it Up, #240 - Holiday Cards
Crazy 4 Challenges, #613 - Christmas Flowers/Foliage
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge, #571 - Anything Christmas
Peace on Earth Christmas Challenge, #5 - Anything Christmas

Reindeer Games with Paper Funday!

Welcome to Paper Funday's Monthly challenge - the theme this month is Holiday Time!!  I recently purchased the Mama Elephant Flurry Frame and I had some of the reindeer floating around on my desk from Reindeer Games so I made this card :)

 

Like I said, I already had the reindeer colored and cut, so all I had to do was cut out the frame (out of white card), and the red glitter paper background.  I used a white card base, glued the glitter paper to the back of the frame, glued that onto my card, then placed and attached the reindeer. I gave one reindeer a little red nose using a gem from my stash; I think it looks like the other reindeer are celebrating Rudolph!  I love these little reindeer, you will be seeing them around. 

I hope to see your Holiday Time Creations at the Paper Funday Challenge - you can't win if you don't play :)  Thanks for stopping by! Christi 

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Sparkle Mode
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Happy Holidays/Christmas
Make the Cards Challenge, #43 - Christmas
Dies R Us, #182 - Anything Goes w/ Dies they Carry
Make my Monday, #162 - Cute Christmas
Country View Challenges - Anything Christmas Goes

Happy Birthday!

 I can never have too many birthday cards in my stash and I was in a coloring mood so I pulled out some Mama Elephant stamps, some dies and my Zigs.  This is what I created:

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Mini Slimline Base
Watercolor Paper {I use this}
Zig Clean Color Brush Markers
Gina K Amalgam Ink Pad in Obsidian Ink
Mama Elephant The Birthday Bash Stamps
Mama Elephant The Birthday Bash Dies
Simon Says Stamp Happy Birthday Die, #SSD111778
Gel Pens
Purple Glitter Card

Once I had made the mini slimline card, I had stamped the stamp on watercolor paper, colored and cut the image out. I wanted the gifts to be the focal of this card so I colored the critters with some light colors; colored the gifts with some vibrant colors and the ribbons with sparkly gel pens.  I attached the image onto the card and proceeded to search for the perfect sentiment. I have quite a few sentiment dies and stamps but I always have to search for what I feel matches the tone of the card. In this case I wanted the sentiment to be happy, bright and fun so I chose the die and cut it out of purple glitter card.

It took me quite a while to color the card as I had to wait for each portion I water colored to dry before moving on to the next.  I can't even tell you how many things I have ruined by not having the patience to let the markers dry!  It is something I am trying to work on and it helps when I have more than one {maybe 5 or 6?} project going on so I don't lose my mojo and get bored.  I love all the sparkle in this card and I think it is the perfect birthday card!  Thanks for stopping by! Christi

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
Krafty Chicks, #584 - Stamp Act
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Thinking of You
Watercooler Wednesdays, #328 - All About Occasions
Critter Crazy Challenge, #56 - Featuring Critters
Dies R Us, #180 - Anything Goes w/ Dies
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Any Holiday Occasion
AAA Birthday Challenge, #31 - Animals
Inspiration Station, #17 - Animal Antics

 

Paper Funday with CAS-ual Friday Stamps!

 Hi all! Welcome to my monthly design team post for Paper Funday.  Since I am not skilled at using digi stamps I typically don't use the products that our sponsors give us to play with but this time we are sponsored by CAS-ual Fridays and I got to play with a set I've had for a while.  Remember, our challenge is always anything goes, with an optional twist and this month the option is Thanks/Grateful.  I am thankful and grateful for coffee, so my card fits both using the sponsors products and the optional theme!  

I used a white card base and cut out a brown border using a die from Lawn Fawn.  I stamped the sentiment using the CAS-ual Friday Coffee Talk stamp set using my favorite black ink and the word coffee using Hero Arts Cocoa Ink {I received the ink in a My Monthly Hero kit and it isn't available separately right now} right on the card.  I finished by cutting the coffee cup out of Your Next Stamp's paper pad Crazy for Coffee {if you look close you can see there is a tiny coffee bean with the word coffee circling it that makes the pattern - too cute!} and the coffee out of light brown card.  I popped the cup up with dimensional dots and added some iridescent pearls I had in my stash. 

You still have plenty of time to join in and play with Paper Funday this month - who knows, you just might win some goodies! Thanks so much for stopping by & see you soon! Christi  

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
CAS on Friday, #217 - Coffee
Ellibelle's Corner - Use Die Cuts and/or Punches
Allsorts Challenge, #648 - Add a Sentiment
Creative Fingers Challenge, #218 - Anything Goes
A Bit More Time to Craft Extra - Anything Goes
DL Art - Anything Goes

CAS on Friday's Inspiration Photo

 

CLBH Life will be Purr-fect!! {DAY 5}

And yet another card for the Cat Lovers Blog Hop! As most of you know I adore cats and I seem to collect cat stamps almost as easily as I collect actual cats (truthfully, if I had as many real cats as I do cat themed stamp sets I'd go out of my mind - I honestly don't know how people with children get anything done! Between feeding, scooping, loving, breaking up spats, brushing and attempting to cut nails I can barely get anything done. Parents you have my utmost respect!) Anyway, I think these little cats from My Favorite Things are so cute and this card allows me to show them all off properly!

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Blue Star Paper, Lucky Prints from MFT {retired}
MFT Mini Meows Stamps, #CS-533
MFT/Die-Namics Mini Meows Dies Set, #MFT-1905
Watercolor Paper {I use this}
Zig Clean Color Brush Markers
Gina K Amalgam Ink Pad in Obsidian Ink
Uniquely Creative 10 Window Frame Die, #UCD1764

I began this card by stamping, coloring and cutting out the cats.  I wanted the colors to be a bit muted, nothing that caused your eye to go to one particular cat so coloring them was quite easy and fast.  I set them aside to dry and cut out the 10 window frame using a retired patterned paper.  Positioning the sentiment in the very bottom of the card, in the largest window of the die, I stamped it directly onto the card base.  I attached the frame onto the card and filled in the other nine windows with the cats.

With all the nastiness floating around this card is perfect to send to someone you literally haven't seen and it shows you miss them.  At the same time, it's cute and hopefully will bring a smile to the face of the recipient.  I hope it brought a smile to your face, too!  Thanks for spending some of your time with me, stay safe and see you soon! Christi

I am entering my card into the following challenges:
Cat Lovers Blog Hop - Day 5
Art Impressions, #315 - Feline Crazy
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes (entry 2)
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Thinking of You
Happy Little Stampers Dies Challenge - Anything Goes w/ Dies (entry 2)
Penny's Paper Crafty Challenge, #508 - Anything Goes

CLBH Happy Meowlloween! {DAY 3}

 This card has my favorite things on it - cats & Halloween!! Unfortunately, the cats are discontinued, old sets from Mama Elephant but you can find them if you look.  I've been looking for them since I saw them and I finally lucked out as someone was selling both sets of stamps and dies. 

I started this card by stamping, coloring {using Zig Clean Color Brush Markers and a silver gel pen} and cutting out the cats, bats and spiders; stamped with my usual Gina K Amalgam Ink Pad in Obsidian on watercolor paper {I use this}.  I used both the Happy Meowlloween set and the Happy Meowlloween Extras set.  The die that I think looks like wrought iron is from Spellbinders from a Die of the Month kit; I cut that out of dark shimmer grey.  I stamped the sentiment directly onto the card, which was a mistake as the light grey card is textured and it took quite a few stamps to get it all filled in, but it finally did work as you can see.  I finished the card off with some Picket Fence gems from the Reflections mix.  I'm pleased with the outcome of the card and I am thrilled I scored these stamp sets.  I hope you like the card too! I am happily entering this card into the Cat Lovers Blog Hop - it's a fantastic hop, going on it's 7th year and the prizes are awesome if you are a cat lover like me! Thanks so much for stopping by ~ Christi

I am entering my card in the following challenges:
Cat Lovers Blog Hop - Day 3
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Fab 'n Funky, #537 - Embellish It
TTCRD - Anything Goes
Use Your Stuff, #434 - Halloween or Pumpkins (entry 2)

 

Boo to YOU ~ Happy Halloween at Paper Funday!

 I was lucky enough to buy these stamps and dies from Mama Elephant when they were having their moving sale and SO happy that I got them! The little witches are SO cute {and don't even get me started on the little cats - peeking out of the pumpkin!! Adorable!!} and are "agenda" sized, yet I was able to use my watercolor markers to color them.  Perfect for this cute Halloween card and the challenge twist at Paper Funday Challenges!  Halloween is my favorite holiday and I can't ever have enough Halloween stamps, dies, paper or decorations! Anyway,  here is my card, I hope you think it is as cute as I do!

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Mama Elephant Little Witch Agenda Stamps
Mama Elephant Little Witch Dies
Mama Elephant Big Boo & Trick Dies
Studio Katia Glow in the Dark Mini Stars, #SK2520
Kat Scrappiness Starlights Jewel Slimline Paper, #KA-PP005
Echo Park I Love Halloween 6" x 6" Paper Pad, #ILH218023
Watercolor Paper {I use this}
Zig Clean Color Brush Markers
Gina K Amalgam Ink Pad in Obsidian Ink

The GITD stars glowing!

Once my little witches were colored, cut and dry I started to assemble my card.  I cut "boo to you" about eight times out of thick white cardstock, then used a patterned Halloween paper for the top layer, glued them all together to give the words a nice pop and set it aside.  I chose a paper that is a bit too busy for me to use as a patterned paper background; just not my style, but it worked so well used in this manner.  I took a sheet of the background paper and trimmed it down; since it is designed for slimline cards it isn't as wide as typical background paper which left a small white border around the paper.  I then glued the sentiment onto the card, placed all my witches and cats where I wanted and lastly, used a few glow in the dark stars - they shine a bit in the light and really do glow in the dark!

So, as usual, you can enter the challenge at The Paper Funday Challenge with Anything Goes, or use our monthly twist - which is Halloween! I would celebrate Halloween every month if I could - I think we should!! Get to dress up and eat candy?? Works for me! The heat is finally beginning to break and it's getting chilly in the evening. Granted, not chilly enough to shut off the ceiling fan or shut the windows, but I can feel the change in the air!  Until next time, happy crafting! Christi 

I am entering my Boo to You card in the following challenges:
Addicted to Stamps & More, #415 - Die Cuts and/or Stencils
Crafting Happiness Challenge, #116 - October Color Challenge {Use any or all: Purple, Orange, Green and Black}
The Two Old Bats Halloween Challenge - Anything Halloween {theme board graphic below}
World Wide Open Design Team Challenge, #9 - Anything Goes
Paperminutes, #712 - The Sentiment Should be Large
Just Us Girls, #604 - Word Week - Halloween
The Paper Players, #561 - Spooky

Sue WIlson Shaker Card

 Hi Dies R Us friends!! Today I am sharing an easy shaker card featuring a Sue Wilson Die. I hope you like it!

What I Used to Make this Card:
White Card Base
KaiserCraft Paper Pad, Rose Avenue, 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" {retired but available}
Sue Wilson Expressions Die, Hello, #CED5401 {out of stock, but this will work as well}
White Card
Foam Tape, doubled
Filler from Stash

This was an easy shaker card to make since the die I chose was rectangular; the hardest part

was cutting the foam tape!  I have a huge roll of foam tape I bought years ago at a convention and I consistently forget I have it; well, this time I remembered! Since the shaker fill has some little gems in it I doubled the foam tape, sticky side to sticky side, then cut it in about half to fit around the die thus allowing enough height for the fill to shake and not get stuck.  I chose sequins, gems and sparkly bits that didn't clash with the paper I covered the card base with. Once I made the shaker part of the card using the die cut, acetate, foam tape and the fill, I attached it to the base that I had covered with a pink paper with a geometric design lightly embossed on it, very pretty I think and the photos don't do it justice.

I certainly hope you enjoyed my card and that will encourage you to pull out some of your dies and make a card to join in on the monthly challenge; just be sure the die you use is from one of the companies Dies R Us carries {shouldn't be difficult, they carry everything!} and join in the fun!  Take care and stay safe! Until next time, Christi

Don't forget to come join in the fun at the Dies R Us Challenge Blog. There's a new challenge theme offered on the 1st and 15th of each month and one lucky randomly drawn winner will receive a gift voucher prize to the Dies R Us Store.  

For your convenience, all the important Dies R Us links are provided below.

 

click below for:

STORE

CHALLENGE BLOG

FACEBOOK

INSPIRATION BLOG

FRIENDS OF DIES R US PINTEREST PAGE

As I am stamping away with the NEW Lawn Fawn release I realized I hadn't entered this card in any challenges!! If my card doesn't meet the timeline for entering your challenge, please accept my apologies and delete it ~ Thanks!!  So, without further ado, I am entering my card in the following challenges:

Cardz TV, #150 - Anything Goes
Happy Little Stampers Anything Goes w/ Dies
Creations in Pink, #37 - Anything Goes in MAINLY Pink
Krafty Chicks, #578 - All Occasions
Creative Friday, #290 - Big Word as the Focus
A Place to Start, #9 - Patterned Paper
Creative Fingers, #215 - Anything Goes