Gerda Steiner November Challenge & PP#273

Hello, friends!  I'm enjoying a long holiday weekend and snuck in some crafting time after cleaning up from our Thanksgiving celebration.  What a wonderful day we had with family and food and so many blessings!  I am a firm believer in taking time to appreciate and express gratitude for all the blessings that have been bestowed upon us...and that's what we did as a family this week.  I love that.

Speaking of gratitude and appreciation, I was lucky enough to win a $15 certificate to the Gerda Steiner stamp shop last month, so I purchased few stamps (both digital and clear) and I had to play along with this little fella for the November's Challenge.

I'm also playing along with The Paper Players Tic Tac Toe Challenge # 273 from Sandy.  I used the White/Embossing/Die Cut combination (and actually I also used the Blue/Shine/Embossing combination!).  Be sure to check out the Design Team cards over there...they are so unique and creative!

For my card, I embossed the snow using white embossing powder, die cut the frame, and fussy cut the sweet bear after coloring with Copic markers.  I added shine to the mug with Glossy Accents and to his nose with black liquid enamel.  I used blue distress ink to highlight the sky and a blue card base.

I can't wait to get my other Gerda Steiner stamps and to play with the digital downloads I purchased. They are all so whimsical and CUTE!

I do appreciate your visits...thank you for stopping by!
Judy

Happy Thanksgiving...Whooo's Hungry?

Hello, friends!  Happy Thanksgiving wishes to all my American friends who are celebrating today, and Happy Birthday to my former CASology Design Teammate, May Park!

I wanted to share a quick and easy card I made for Thanksgiving and it fits the current CASology cue card OWL.

This owl and sentiment are from an old, retired Sweet Stamp Shop set.  I love this fella, and he is very fun to emboss and watercolor!

In a special way today I'd like to thank all of you who so faithfully visit my blog and leave such kind comments...I appreciate you today and every day of the year!

Have a wonderful day!
Judy

CASology #174: OWL

Hello, friends!  Welcome back for the next CASology cue card!

This week we are sponsored by Concord & 9th, a fun company with some pretty cool stamps and supplies.  One of my favorite recent Concord & 9th purchases is this set of "Happy Hues" notecards that are pre-watercolored!  You can find the set in their shop.  I thought the card base was a perfect backdrop for this Hero Arts owl and a Concord & 9th stamped and die cut sentiment.

I like the monochrome version of this owl...sometimes a busy image is daunting to color!

Be sure to link up your OWL card by noon on Monday (Central time). You will also be inspired by the many ways our Design Team and Guest Designer interpreted the cue this week...be sure to check out their blogs, too!

Ardyth Percy-Robb

Hannelie Bester
Hazel Hodgkins
Jen Wills
Joyce Mehrberg
Judy Marino --> that's me!
Kimberly Wiener
Kymona Tracey
Melissa Chipperfield
Ren Loh
Tracey McNeely

Guest Designer: Nancy

Our Sponsor This Week: Concord & 9th

I may be back later this week with another owl card just in time for Thanksgiving, although I am hosting our holiday dinner for the first time ever and we are expecting 18 people.   I really should be cooking and cleaning...not crafting!  We'll see, maybe I can swing both!

Thanks for visiting,

Judy

25 Days of Christmas Tags with Precious Remembrance Shop!

Hello, friends!  I'm so excited to be here today to share the projects I made for Tracey's fifth annual  25 Days of Christmas Tags!   You can find all the details at Tracey McNeely's blog, In My Creative Opinion.  There is SO much inspiration there, it is AMAZING!   (Oh, yes, there are prizes, too!)

Today Tracey is highlighting stamps from Precious Remembrance Shop, and the entire Design Team made tags for the occasion!  I know you will be inspired by what the entire team has to share with you today.  Be sure to check them out...you can start at the Precious Remembrance Shop blog and hop along from there.

Here are all of the tags I made for today's special occasion, using two of my favorite Precious Remembrance Shop Christmas sets:

The first set I played with is from the latest release, called Sketchy Christmas.  

Using Tim Holtz distress inks (Barn Door, Peeled Paint, Shabby Shutters) and some strips of patterned paper, these tags were quick and easy to put together.  The red and gold Stickles on the tree added a nice, sparkly touch!

The second PRS stamp set I used is called "Joy"...and it has a classic wreath that I love so much!

I used the same tag dies, patterned paper strips, and distress inks, and I double stamped the wreath for added fullness.  The added touches of gold and red Stickles add some interest and sparkle to each wreath!

Now be sure too check out the tags shared by the other members of the Precious Remembrance Shop Design Team.  I hope you are able to make a tag or two and join in the fun at Tracey's 25 Days of Christmas Tags, too!

Thank you so much for visiting!

Judy

Precious Remembrance Shop: Clean and Simple Christmas

Hello, friends!  Today I am over on the Precious Remembrance Shop blog sharing a card I made using the newest release, Sketchy Christmas.  This time I shared a clean and simple paper-piecing project!  I'd love it if you would head over there and check it out.

Thanks for stopping by,

Judy

CASology #173: PRETTY

Hello, friends!  It's Tuesday, and I'm back with my card for the next CASology cue!

Oh, I do believe we will see many pretty creations in the pool this week...and I can't wait! There are so many ways to go with this cue!

I immediately thought of my stamp set from CASual Fridays Stamps called "Truth Is" because of one of the sentiments in the set.  (I can't believe that I have never inked up this set, so I was happy to be able to play with it!)

I stamped the floral image and colored with Copics, then added some Wink of Stella to the flower petals.  I stamped the sentiment on a separate scrap and die cut it using a Spellbinder label die, then popped it up over the flower stems.  There is still a lot of white space even though the sentiment is layered on the card, so it remains clean and simple.

Be sure to link up your PRETTY card by noon on Monday (Central time).  And, if you have a chance, go check out the PRETTY creations shared by our Design Team and Guest Designer this week!

Ardyth Percy-Robb

Hannelie Bester
Hazel Hodgkins
Jen Wills
Joyce Mehrberg
Judy Marino --> that's me!
Kimberly Wiener
Kymona Tracey
Melissa Chipperfield
Ren Loh
Tracey McNeely

Guest Designer: Claire

Our Sponsor This Week:  Uniko Studio

As always, thanks for visiting!

Judy

CASology #172: GIVE

Hello, friends!  I'm here today with my card for the next CASology cue card!

I immediately thought of the phrase "give thanks," but in the end I decided to go with a phrase of encouragement for a friend who is in need of some support right now.  "Never give up."

Supplies:

Precious Remembrance Shop "DIY" and "Fall Colors"

Perfect Pearls "Heirloom Gold" spray
Tim Holtz distress inks
twine

Be sure to link up your card by noon on Monday (Central time). You will also be inspired by the many ways our Design Team and Guest Designer interpreted the cue this week...be sure to check out their blogs, too!

Ardyth Percy-Robb

Hannelie Bester
Hazel Hodgkins
Jen Wills
Joyce Mehrberg
Judy Marino
Kimberly Wiener
Kymona Tracey
Melissa Chipperfield
Ren Loh
Tracey McNeely

Guest Designer: Jenelle

Our Sponsor This Week:  STAMPlorations
(Be sure to check out their Thanksgiving sale 
currently going on through November 30th!)

Thanks for visiting,

Judy

Seize the Birthday - A Masculine Sweet 16 Birthday Card

Hello, friends!  I'm here today to share a masculine version of a "Sweet Sixteen" card I made for my son's friend.  I'm sharing this in the current Seize the Birthday "Anything Goes" Challenge going on through November 17th.

Similar to my feminine version of a "Sweet Sixteen" birthday card (posted HERE), I made this card using number dies from Papertrey Ink and a "sweet" die by Serendipity Stamps.  I inlaid the die cuts and used coordinating patterned papers as well as a Paper Smooches tag die.  The card base is dry embossed on patterned paper and rubbed with sand paper to reveal its white core.  The jute bow adds to the masculine feel of the card.

I'm also sharing my card in the current Virginia's View Challenge #20: All About Textures.  The jute bow and the sanded, dry-embossed card panel add texture to the card.

Thanks for stopping by,
Judy

Precious Remembrance Shop Krafty Christmas

Hello, friends!  Today I am over on the Precious Remembrance Shop blog sharing a card I made using the newest release, Sketchy Christmas.  This time I had some fun with kraft card stock and patterned papers!  I'd love it if you would head over there and check it out.

Thanks for stopping by,

Judy

Seize the Birthday - A Feminine Sweet 16 Birthday Card

Hello, friends!  I'm here today to share a card I made for my daughter's friend who just turned sixteen.  I'm sharing this in the current Seize the Birthday "Anything Goes" Challenge going on through November 17th.

I have a son who is sixteen and a daughter who is fifteen, and many of their friends are having "Sweet Sixteen" birthday parties.  (I think I will be making MANY birthday cards this year!)

Here is a feminine version of a "Sweet Sixteen" birthday card I made using number dies from Papertrey Ink and a "sweet" die by Serendipity Stamps.  I inlaid the die cuts and used red glitter paper for some shine.  The card base is dry embossed patterned paper and rubbed with sand paper to reveal its white core.  I'm pleased with how it turned out!

I'm also sharing my card in the current Virginia's View Challenge #20: All About Textures.  The red glitter paper, the red Stickles around the die cut, and the sanded, dry-embossed card panel all add texture to this otherwise flat card.

I'll be back soon to share a masculine version of a "Sweet Sixteen" birthday card, too!

Thanks for stopping by,
Judy

GSD Share Your Designs - Happy Birthday Pig

Hello, friends!  I am here today to share a card I made using a free digi image from Gerda Steiner Designs (found HERE).  I am entering this card into Gerda Steiner Designs - Share Your Designs for a chance to win a $15 coupon to the store.

I think this pig image is absolutely adorable!  I printed it onto white card stock, colored with Copic markers, and added a simple happy birthday sentiment from Paper Smooches.  A few sequins, and done!  Easy peasy!

Be sure to check out the Gerda Steiner Designs shop -- there are lots of freebie images there along with some very adorable rubber, clear, and digi stamp sets for sale!

Thanks for stopping by!

Judy

CASology #171: VEHICLE

Hello, friends!  It's Tuesday, and I'm back with my newest card for CASology.

Before I get down to business, I want to say a fond farewell to my design teammate, Gillian Ross.  It has been a pleasure being on a team with Gillian, and I will always be a big fan of her work!

I would also like to extend a warm, crafty welcome to our newest design team member, Ren Loh from Ink a Paper!  Ren has been a regular participant in our CASology challenges, and her clean and simple style is amazing.  Welcome to the CASology team, Ren!

Finally, one last shout out to design team member Tracey who celebrates a birthday today!  Happy Birthday, Tracey! :)

OK, now let's get down to business, shall we?  Our newest cue card at CASology this week!

With cue in mind, I can't help but think of the funny movie, "Planes, Trains and Automobiles" starring Steve Martin and John Candy.  (My favorite scene is when they are driving the wrong way down the highway...if you are interested, you can see a clip of it HERE.)

However, my card went a different route (no pun intended!).  I went with a less frequently used vehicle as a mode of transportation...the hot air balloon!

Supplies:

Papertrey Ink "Everyday Button Bits"
Hero Arts "Clouds" background stamp in Soft Pool ink
Darice "Cloudy Sky" embossing folder
Simon Says Stamp Stitched Squares dies
Lil' Inkers Stitched Rectangles die
buttons

Be sure to link up your VEHICLE card by noon on Monday (Central time). Be sure to check out the DT and Guest Designer blogs for more inspiration!

Ardyth Percy-Robb

Hannelie Bester
Hazel Hodgkins
Jen Wills
Joyce Mehrberg
Judy Marino --> that's me!
Kimberly Wiener
Kymona Tracey
Melissa Chipperfield
Ren Loh
Tracey McNeely -- Happy Birthday, Tracey!!!!

Guest Designer: Susan

Our Sponsor This Week: Cindy B Designs

Thanks for visiting,

Judy

Virginia's View Challenge #20: All About Textures

Hello, friends!  I'm here today with a card I made for the current Virginia's View Challenge: All About Textures.

Now, I must admit, I don't own any gesso or embossing paste, and the "neat freak" part of me does not like messy textures.  Let's put it this way: I remember the first time I was asked to finger paint in preschool and I did not enjoy it in the least!  I also hated getting Elmer's glue on my hands.  To this day, I even wear rubber gloves to do the dishes!  :)   So, you might understand why messy textures haven't made their way into my crafting space.

However...I DO love dry embossing and textured papers, especially some of the glitter papers I have in my stash, and they provide texture and interest to cards without being messy.

And, so, my textured card!

Supplies:

Avery Elle "Simply Said: You" stamps and die

Simon Says Stamp "Leanna" butterfly die

Lil' Inkers Stitched Rectangles die

Sizzix "Flowers" embossing folder

Black DCWV glitter paper

Black pearls

I'm sure it won't be the most textured card in the pool, but there is enough texture here for my taste!

Thanks for stopping by,
Judy

One-Layer Simplicity Challenge #22: Thanks

Hello, friends!  Today I'm sharing a one-layer thank you card I made for the One-Layer Simplicity Challenge #22: A Multitude of Gratitude.

Now that November has arrived, I like to focus on the many blessings I have in my life and take on an "attitude of gratitude."  Here in the US we will be celebrating Thanksgiving later this month, and despite all the stores around us getting ready for Christmas now, I am not ready for that just yet.  I love Thanksgiving and the time to focus on the blessings and riches we have been afforded.

I am also a firm believer in sending thank you notes, and I am teaching my children to do the same.  Therefore, this card will not remain in my stash for too long!

For my card, I watercolored the background, then stamped the sentiment and flowers in black ink.  I filled in the centers of the flowers with black Enamel Accents and spritzed some Perfect Pearls mist for a little shine.

Stamps by Precious Remembrance Shop: Blossom and School Days

Thank you so much for stopping by...I am grateful for each and every visit!

Take good care,

Judy