Winter Wishes

 I was cruising around the internet, looking for inspiration and I went to the Lindy's Gang website.  I am sure that Lindy's has been in the craft business as long as I have been crafting and their products are so innovative that many have tried to copy them, but in my opinion there is nothing as good as the original.  I saw the January challenge on the Lindy's blog and I immediately knew I had to get out my goodies and take part in it.  So here is my card:

What I Used to make my Card:
Square White Card Base
White Cardstock
White Pearl Cardstock
Lindy's Gang Glitz Spritz in Steel Shimmer {discontinued but this would work}
Lindy's Gang Starburst in Tainted Teal
Lindy's Gang Magical Shaker in Oom Pah Pah Pink
Lindy's Gang Embossing Powder in Magic Moon Pearls
Sizzix/Tim Holtz Paper Snowflakes, Mini, #661599
Penny Black Wintertime Wishes Die, #51-078
Hand Held Circle Paper Punch {like the type you use in an office}

The Products I Used

Now I have to give Lindy's some product love. I have been a fan of their embossing powder forever; they make the absolute coolest 2 tone powders I have ever seen.  I had gotten the
magical shaker as a freebie when I was buying some of their products but had never used it
before this project and I had no idea what to expect.  When I shook the powder out onto the paper, it was a blah taupe color and I honestly didn't think it was going to work.  I got a little  upset thinking I ruined the paper I had made.  Well, once the water touched it, the color literally bloomed in front of me - it was amazing!  Their sprays are also quality- I hadn't used them in ages; honestly probably since I added the water to them way back when I received them a few years back.  However, a little shake to mix the color and I had no problem spritzing them out at all. No clogs, no blobs, nothing.  Beautiful!

I made my paper with the various Lindy's products, then die cut all the snowflakes.  I realized I needed a neutral color to use with the colored snowflakes so I chose a pearlized white and used that to cut out more snowflakes.  The hand-held, circle punch was used to add a circle in some of the flakes.  I cut the sentiment out of the same paper, layered my snowflakes around the card, trimmed it, and I was done.  I am very pleased with this card, I love all the sparkle! Thanks SO much for stopping by! ~ Fondly, Christi

I am entering my Card in the following challenges:
Lindy's Gang Challenge - Lindy's Winter Color Challenge
Cuttlebug Mania - Winter, Use Blue
International Art & Soul, #100 - Winter
Happy Little Stampers, Die Cuts - Anything Goes
Through the Purple Haze, #176 - Color Palette
Creative Crafters, #36 - Anything Goes
Try it on Tuesday - Winter Blues

Through the Purple Haze

Warmest Wishes with Penny Black

Hi all!! I hope this card finds you and yours well.  I am terribly behind on my holiday cards this year but I did manage to get this one done.

I could NOT get a picture of the sparkling crystals - but if you

 look close, you can see a few of them

What I Used to Make my Card
White Card Base
DCWV Blue Noel Paper Pack, 12 x 12
Penny Black Snowy Park Stamp, #3231K
Penny Black Warmest Wishes Die, #51-170
Silver Shimmer Paper
Studio Katia Sparking Crystals Mix, #SK2411

I started this card by taking the stamp off the wooden block.  It was a pleasure to use now that I can over stamp the image and get it nice and dark.  One the image was stamped, I trimmed it down.  I found background paper that I felt works with the image; I didn't want anything too flashy or bright, but wanted to stay somewhat seasonal.  I used silver shimmer paper and die cut the sentiment, assembled the card and then added some sparkle by using a few crystals.  I like how the crystals are subtle.

I hope you enjoyed my card! I saw the Penny Black Saturday Challenge and I really wanted to use these items; I think I have had the stamp since it came out in 2005! Well, I will be using it much more now that I removed it from the block. I found a few others I'd removed as well, so be prepared for some oldies but goodies!  Thank you and please consider following me here, or on any of the social media platforms listed. Let me know so I can follow you back ~ Hugs! Christi

I would like to enter my card in the following challenges:
Bitten By The Bug - Die-lirious 
Double Trouble - #73, I made a holiday card, I used a die & I used patterned paper
Sweet Stampin' - Let it Snow
Penny Black Saturday Challenge, M - ATG, optional Winter Wonderland
Dies R Us Challenge - #158, Merry Christmas
Carlin's Cards - #29, Winter & NO Square Cards
Crafty Hazelnuts Patterned Paper Challenge - Must use Patterned Paper
Do-Al(l) Kreatives - #48, Winter Wonderland
Love to Scrap - #140, Winter Wonderland

You Are Pretty Amazing

I am SO sorry this is late - I thought I had scheduled it correctly! I am off to lunch with my mom, sister & cousin :) 

Hi all! Today is the last day to enter the Die Cut Diva's August Challenge, Silhouettes.  If you get a chance to enter, you will be in the running for a gift certificate from our sponsor, Cheapo Dies.

I had to make at least one cat card when I start crafting for my Design Teams, and this one is made with some new goodies I just got.

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Kraft Card
Black Card
Penny Black, FeLINE die, #51-145
Simon Says Stamp You Matter Stamps, #SSS101645
Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black
Stitched Rectangle {actual die cut was a gift}
Tim Holtz/Tonic Stamp Platform

I love the way this card came out; I am always surprised when a project actually looks the way I envision it!  And it's a super easy card to make.  To begin, I took the FELine die and cut it out three times - once from white card, once from black card and once from Kraft card.  I pieced together the white cats, using the black cut as the background.  Then I trimmed one of the Kraft cats and just glued it on right over the corresponding white cat.

The cats were then layered onto a white stitched rectangle that a dear friend sent me; I inched the cats closer to the top so I had plenty of room for my sentiment.  This was the first card I'd made with my brand new Tim Holtz Stamp Platform.  I'd been using my MISTI until my sweet friend offered me a Stamp Platform at near cost; how could I resist such a great deal!?!  I have to be honest, as much as I adore my MISTI, the Platform is easier for me to use.  The big game changer for me is the ability to switch from clear stamps to red rubber stamps by just flipping the top around.  So much easier!  Anyway, I lined up my sentiment and stamped it directly onto the stitched rectangle.  I just have to say how amazing it is to be able to get a clear, semi-straight {straight is NOT one of my many talents - I still struggle and I imagine I always will} image, and not

Another Peek

worry if you don't since you can ink it up again!  I shudder when I think of the "old days," using wood mounted stamps and not being able to see exactly where you are putting the image, and how much cardstock I wasted because the stamp didn't give me a good impression {mostly due to my error, but still}.  I would have NEVER stamped directly onto a card as one of the last steps; it had to be done first, just in case I flubbed it and had to begin again.  

Anyway, once the sentiment was stamped onto the rectangle, I adhered that to a trimmed piece of Kraft card that was then glued onto my card base.  There you go!  An easy card, ready to be popped in the mail.  

I hope you have been inspired this month to get inky with silhouettes, and if not, never fear, as tomorrow the new month begins and a new challenge starts at Die Cut Diva's.  Thanks so much - Christi

I am entering my You Are Pretty Amazing card in the following challenges:
CARDZTV - #63, Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Sunny Day Crafting - Anything Goes including an Animal
Papercraft Challenges - #19, Animal
That's Crafty! - Animal Magic
4 Crafty Chicks - #418, Anything Goes

Happy Spring Kitty

While the weather here in Colorado keeps changing, I know by the calendar that any minute spring will be upon us! And it is with that thought in mind that I created this cute little kitty card to wish you a Happy Spring.  

I came across this cat image, already colored, in my stash and decided it was time to let her out to play!

What I Used to Make my Card:
White Card Base
Violet Crush Paper Pack by KaiserCraft {discontinued but available}
Penny Black stamps, Purrfect Day, #30-027 {discontinued?}
Lawn Fawn stamps, Easter Party, #LF1589
Hero Arts Ink in Amethyst
Various shades of purple card, stash
Die-Versions Whispers Stitched Nesting Squares, #DV-572 {discontinued?}
Tutti Cross Stitched Nesting Rectangles, #TUTTI-410
Derwent Inktense Watercolor Pencils
Homemade Dots (Perler Beads)
MISTI

As I said, this little kitty was already colored; thankfully I actually recall doing it with my Inktense Pencils {but it was over a year ago - in fact, the image is so old I think it's discontinued!}.  I just cut the image out with the Die-Versions die and set it aside.

After deciding I was going to focus on the color purple, I rummaged through the Violet Crush paper pack and chose a few lightly patterned papers to add to the card.  I also went through my papers stash and picked out some matching purple solid cardstock and ran all the papers through my Big Shot using the Tutti Die to add some interest.

I stamped the sentiment (from the Lawn Fawn Easter Party set) using Amethyst ink onto one of the solid purple cardstock pieces and attached all the background pieces to the white card base.  The kitty image became the center of the card and I

Another look

added some homemade plastic dots to give the card a little touch of extra color.  That's it - I'm tickled with how the card came out and I can't wait to share it with my friend.

The card came together as I wanted it and I'm glad I finally used the image.  I'm slowly working on getting my backlog of colored images used; you'll see at least a few more cards coming up where I've finally found good matches for the images.  It's funny, I can pre-color a bunch of images, keep them for the longest time, and suddenly the perfect card comes along and one of those images is just the thing that I need.  I love it when stuff comes together like that!  I hope your weather is turning season appropriate for wherever you are ~ thanks SO much for stopping by! Christi

I am entering my Happy Spring Kitty card in the following challenges:
Penny Black Saturday Challenge - Anything Goes 
Dies R Us Challenge - #94, Anything Goes
2 Crafty Critter Crazies - #13, Anything with a Critter Goes
Fashionable Stamping Challenge - #133, Springtime
Sweet Stampers Challenge - #18, Spring
Craftaholics R Us - #13, Enamel Dots {hopefully my homemade dots count!}
Retro Rubber Challenge - #83, Anything Goes {my PB Kitty image is OLD!}
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Everybody Art Challenge - #422, Spring

Celebrating Janis' 60th Birthday! {week 1 - All Those Cats}

Janis, from Her Peaceful Garden, and I met back when she had her first Cat Lovers Blog Hop {here is the link for the 2017 hop} - she is a cat lover, as I am, and she is owned by about 13 cats; both feral and house cats.  We've become friends over the years and I adore her.  When she began talking about her birthday and how she wanted to do ATC's for her online celebration, I was so happy! I LOVE ATC's and used to participate in many swaps online.  I hope this little party of Janis' encourages ATC's to make a comeback.  

What are ATC's? ATC stands for Artist Trading Cards.  There are no requirements to make them {unless you are participating in a swap, or, in this case, Janis' first theme: All Those Cats} EXCEPT they must be 2 1/2" x 3 1/2", the same size as a standard playing card or trading card.


I'm not going to go into detail about how I made each one; it's fairly self explanatory but, if you have any questions, just ask! 

I try to use scrap papers to make my ATCs - here is a picture of my scrap bin {I only put small snippets in it} just to give you an idea of how small the pieces for your ATC can be. There is a picture of the side of my little bin, and then the bottom.  I save more than I can ever use, but it comes in VERY handy!





Here are my four ATCs for week one of Janis' birthday party:

Paw Prints

What I Used to Make my Paw Prints ATC:
Heavy White Card, cut into ATC size
Snips & scraps of various pink & purple papers 
Penny Black, Nine Lives Set, #30-050
Stampendous, Cat Sayings, #SSC1222
Small Heart Punch
Hero Arts Ink in Pink Tourmaline, Ruby & Amethyst                       

 Balloon Kitty

What I Used to Make my Balloon Cat ATC:
Heavy White Card, cut into ATC size
Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black
Penny Black, Purrfect Day, #30-027 {discontinued but available}
Unknown Coloring {colored this image AGES ago}
DCWV, Tie Dye Stack {discontinued but available}
Distress Marker in Broken China

Sneaky Kitties

The Mama Elephant "The Cat's Meow" stamp and die are MUCH longer than an
ATC.  In fact, it's called "Crowd of Cats" and according to the ME website, it measures 5 3/4" x 2".  In order to make this ATC and the Meow ATC, I cut the image down into two separate groups of cats, then added single cats in places. Also, I colored the kitties with whimsical colors - I figured why not and I need a break from trying to color them realistically.  This goes for both of the Mama Elephant ATCs.  

What I Used to Make my Sneaky Cats ATC:
Heavy White Card, cut into ATC size
Mama Elephant, The Cat's Meow, stamps
Mama Elephant, The Cat's Meow, Creative Cuts Dies
Detail Water Brush
Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black
Clean Color Markers
Watercolor Paper
Palm Frond Punch
Various Green Paper

Meow

I needed a break from using realistic cat colors, so these kitties are colored fancifully.  I cut down some dimensional dots and dotted the birthday hat, the blue balloon, and the meow sign but you can't really tell in this picture. I also added some single cats to round out the group.

What I Used to Make my Meow ATC:
Heavy White Card, cut into ATC size
Mama Elephant, The Cat's Meow, stamps
Mama Elephant, The Cat's Meow, Creative Cuts Dies
Detail Water Brush
Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black
Clean Color Markers
Watercolor Paper
Dimensional Dots
Washi Tape in Glitter Purple

Finally, here is a picture of all four together.

I hope you enjoyed my ATCs.  I really have a great time making them and going through my snippet box to see what inspires me.  My favorite is the meow ATC - which one is yours? Thanks SO much for your visit and I hope you come back soon! ~Christi

I would like to enter all four of my creations in the following challenges -
Her Peaceful Garden Birthday Celebration - Wk 1, All Those Cats
Addicted to CAS - #130, Cat {At least 2 of my ATCs are CAS}
Crafting with Friends - M, #61, Anything Goes
The Outlaws - Twisted Thursday - Twist: Fur {lots of virtual fur here!}
2 Crafty Critter Crazies - M, Anything Goes w/ a Critter
Fairy-Tale Challenge - Use Mini Stamps {The 2 ATCs using ME are Mini Stamps}
SUYP - M, Anything Goes and/or LOVE

Cat Lover's Blog Hop Entry #4 ~ Pumpkin Kitty

Hi all! Here is card #4 that I made to participate in the Cat Lover's Blog Hop 

If this is your fourth (or more) time here, feel free to skip all this stuff until you get to "What I Used to Make my Card", that will be different for each card I make for the hop. For those of you that haven't been reading my blog long, you can learn all about my fur babies by clicking on the page at the top of my blog, or, just click here. 

I had colored in a bunch of the Crazy Cats a while ago (I color while watching TV) and water colored them with Distress Markers and Kuretake Clean Color Markers.  If I can recall what I used for each design I will certainly let you know. Everything is stamped with waterproof black ink pads.

OK, enough housekeeping stuff, on to my fourth card:

What I Used to Make my Card:

White Card Base

Watercolor Paper

Penny Black "Bewitched" Stamp Set, #30-318

Die-Namics (MFT) Stitched Oval Stax, #MFT-521

Distress Markers

My Minds Eye Background Paper - "Spooked" Collection (retired but available)

Pop Dots

Another Penny Black image water colored with Distress Markers, I intentionally left the kitty uncolored so the pumpkin image would pop out.  Again, cut with one of the Stitched Ovals from the Die-Namics set, this time pop dotted on background paper from MME.  All layered onto a white card base - easy peasy card, and I love that MME background paper - I only have a bit of it left and I am hoarding it (LOL). 

Thanks again for stopping by - I really appreciate it! Only one more day to enter the Hop and I do hope you have been entering, or at least commenting on the entries, for a chance to win (there are a lot of them - I'm way behind LOL) ~ Hugs! Christi

I'd like to enter my Pumpkin Kitty in the following challenges:
The Cat Lover's Blog Hop
The Mod Squad - Halloween Fun
Crafty Creations - #327, Water Color
The Sisterhood of Crafters - Pumpkins or the Color Orange
Deep Ocean Challenge - #140, Halloween

Cat Lover's Blog Hop #3 ~ Witchy Kitty

Hi all! Here is card #3 that I made to participate in the Cat Lover's Blog Hop 

If this is your second (or third) time here, feel free to skip all this stuff until you get to "What I Used to Make my Card", that will be different for each card I make for the hop. For those of you that haven't been reading my blog long, you can learn all about my fur babies by clicking on the page at the top of my blog, or, just click here. 

I had colored in a bunch of the Crazy Cats a while ago (I color while watching TV) and water colored them with Distress Markers and Kuretake Clean Color Markers.  If I can recall what I used for each design I will certainly let you know. Everything is stamped with waterproof black ink pads.

OK, enough housekeeping stuff, on to my third card:

What I Used to Make my Card:

Black Card Base

Watercolor Paper

Authentique Background Paper from the "Spirited Collection", #SPI020 (retired but available)

Penny Black "Bewitched" Stamp Set, #30-318

Die-Namics (MFT) Stitched Oval Stax, #MFT-521

Distress Markers

Blender Pen

Corner Cut Punch

Like before, this little witchy kitty was colored beforehand, but I know I used Distress Inks with the blender pen this time.  I die cut the image with a Die-Namics die, one of the Stitched Ovals from the Stax set.  I used a black card base, layered on paper from Authentique, after I punched the corners of the layer with a corner punch.  Adhered everything together and I was done!

I am truly enjoying this blog hop - the other participants are so sweet, and the prizes are awesome.  I hope you get a chance to participate ~ thanks! Christi

I would like to enter my Witchy Kitty card in the following challenges:

Cat Lover's Blog Hop

Marker Pop - #106, Halloween (I used Distress Markers)

Fantasy Stampers - #74, Halloween Fun

Inky Chicks - #74, Too Cute to Spook

Gltzy Gold Merry Christmas Card

My name is Christi and I am a paper hoarder.  I love beautiful papers.  I have some papers that are so lovely, I can't cut them - but, I have made a pledge to start to use some of my more beautiful papers, so this card was born.  The paper I used is Italian, I think it is supposed to be used used as gift wrap.  I can't recall where I purchased it from (it's at least 12 years old) but the detail is amazing! I tried to capture the richness of the paper the best I could.  I hope you get inspired to dig out some of your favorite papers & play a bit!  

What I Used to Make my Card:
Italian Paper
Vanilla Base Card
Ornamental Script Stamp from Penny Black, 3995F
Piece of Vellum
Piece of Mirror Gold Paper
Embossing Fluid
Vintage Gold Embossing Enamel from Globecraft & Piccolo
Krylon Gold Leafing Pen
2 Gold Brads
Sparkle Gold Tape from the Dollar Tree

You really need to click this!

While there are a lot of ingredients, this card was easy to make. First thing I did was match the gold in the Italian paper since that was my focal point.  I had also found this scrap of mirror gold cardstock (it was ALL the rage years ago) so I tossed that into the mix. The mirror gold caught the gold in the paper.    I took the vanilla base and outlined it with the Krylon Gold Leafing Pen and set it aside.  I then took the piece of vellum and stamped the Ornamental Script stamp on it in embossing fluid and embossed the saying in Vintage Gold Embossing Enamel. 

The embossed sentiment, attached to mirror gold card

I trimmed the sentiment to sit on the mirror gold cardstock and I used 2 gold brads to hold it in place.  Nice, but it needed a bit more pizazz.  So I used a piece of the Sparkle Gold tape at the very top.  Easy!!

Another view - complete with cat hair!

I have a few more cards to share with you so I'll be back soon.  I also want to wish you and yours a FANTASTIC Holiday Season! Thank you for taking the time out of your schedule to pop by and read my blog - without all of your comments & encouragement this blog wouldn't exist! Blessings ~ Christi

I would like to enter my card in the following challenges:
Simon Says Stamp - Wednesday Challenge - Winter Inspiration 
Crafty Card Maker - #129, Christmas
Cute Card Thursday - #352, Add Some Sparkle
Red Rubber Inspirational - #151, Christmas Cheer
Creative Inspirations - #294, Christmas/New Year
Penny Black & More - December Challenge, Special Occasions

Snowy Noel Card

I try to make different holiday cards rather than make the same one over & over again – I get bored with the repetition.  Granted, there are times when an image or composition just feels so right that I stick with it and I’ll make more than one. I made more than one style of card using this particular image from Penny Black (Snowy Park, stamp # 3231K) and you will be seeing them later. I have had this rubber stamp for years and I don’t know why I don’t use it more often (and looking at the stamp, I don't think it would have to be used as a "Snowy Park", I bet I could use it as a "Spring Park" or "Fall Park". . .well, you get the idea)! The image was stamped on heavy vellum which I colored and then layered a few times.   

To make this card I used:

• Snowy Park image from Penny Black, #3231K
• Noel stamp from Penny Black, #3242E
• Heavy vellum (I think it is called cardstock vellum)
• Distress Markers in Brushed Corduroy, Pine Needles and Picket Fence
• Ranger Archival Ink in Jet Black
• Moon Glow 2 Toned embossing powder in Twilight Bronze Slate (Lindy’s Stamp Gang)
• Embossing Ink
• Heat Tool
• Shiny Gold photo corners from Xyron (discontinued)
• 2 different weights and tones of Gold Cardstock
• White Cardstock
• Square White Base Card (Square card measures 5 ¼” x 5 ¼”)

I first stamped the Snowy Park on the vellum with the Ranger Archival Jet Black and set it aside to dry.  When I stamped the image, I didn’t know what I was going to do with it so it actually sat to the side for a few days.  But, when stamping on vellum the longer the image has to set the better in my book.  I had also stamped the Noel stamp a few times with embossing ink and embossed with the powder (it is a shame you can’t really tell how beautiful the embossing powder is - to help you see the beauty of the embossing powder, I went to Lindy’s Stamp Gang and this is the image they use on their site – but even that isn’t as gorgeous as this powder is in real life), cut out the ones I felt were good enough to use on my cards and set them aside. 

 Twilight Bronze Slate EP from Lindy's Stamp Gang

And since I didn't take any pictures of the Penny Black images before I used them, here they are, direct from the site:

 

 Snowy Park, #3231k

  Noel, #3242E

(click on any of the above pictures and it will link you directly to the site)

I had seen a beautiful coloring on vellum on another blog and that’s when I decided I’d do the same with my image.  I turned the image over and loosely colored in some of the trees and the snow with the Distress Markers; I wasn’t terribly careful as the watercolor-like effect appeals to me. 

 

Here is a closer picture of the scene

 

 I set the colored image aside to dry while I mapped out the rest of the card.  Since the image was kind of dreary (i.e.: no sparkle) and I have no adhesive that successfully adheres vellum without being able to see it, I went through the many, many photo corners I have and settled on the shiny gold ones from Xyron.  They have been discontinued but if you have your heart set on duplicating the card, exactly as I have made it I am sure you can find some shiny gold photo corners.  I used the corners to anchor the image to the darker of the two gold cardstocks I used in the card.  I think I got the darker gold from Stampin’ Up! years ago but perhaps they still make it.  I also matted the “Noel” on the same darker gold.  Looking at the card I felt it still needed a little bit more something, so I chose a lighter gold, thinner cardstock I had in my stash to mat the image one more time.  For some reason the lighter cardstock ruffled after it dried but I don’t mind.  A happy accident that makes the card look that much more festive! I adhered the matted image and the sentiment on my white square card and I was done.  I think this card is very pretty and I hope you agree.  Thanks for reading my tutorial & visiting my blog ~ blessings!

And forgetting to add the picture of the finished card is what

happens when I try to blog after midnight - SORRY!!

 

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

Winter Wonderland - Embossing (the Noel is heat embossed)

Alphabet Challenge Blog - V for Vellum

Rhedd And Rosie Challenge Blog - Use Old Stash (the rubber stamps I used are at least 8 years old)

CraftyHands Challenge Blog – Season’s Greetings/Winter Theme

Left of Center Creative Challenges - LOC or Winter/Holidays (I chose winter & holidays)