ATSM - Christmas Bells ....

....  Hello again!  I'm back with our new challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More!  This week it's our very popular Make Your Mark challenge.  Your entry must have something that can make a mark - crayons, pencils, markers, paints, chalks - full details on the blog!  I've made another Christmas card:

Stamps: Woodware - Christmas Bells
Inks: Memento - Tuxedo Black; Brilliance - Galaxy Gold; Stampin' Up! - Gumball Green
Accessories: White Lustre Card; SU Card - Real Red; Copic Markers; Wink of Stella - Gold, Clear

I had such fun with the colours from Just Us Girls - JUGS#320, that I decided to make another Christmas card.  I used another of my new Woodware sets - I love the image - such fun to colour.  I used a huge selection of red and green Copic markers along with a gold Wink of Stella brush.  I stamped the image on some scrap white card, coloured it, cut it to size and added a think green border with a Copic marker.  I added lots of sparkle to the bells with a clear Wink of Stella brush.  I finished the front with a simple gold greeting.  On the inside I cut a mat layer of red card and on the white panel added another set of bells in gold and a Christmas greeting in green.

I'm submitting this to AAA Cards - AAA#53 where they have an Anything Goes theme!

Our sponsor for this week's challenge is Stamplorations and the winner of the challenge will receive a $10 gift certificate.  Don't forget to visit our blog to see more inspiration cards from the rest of the team.  Have fun!  That's all for now.

One Layer Christmas ....

..... Morning!  I've a Christmas card to share with you this morning - it's not too late to get some handmade cards done.  This one combines a few challenges:

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Rustic Christmas
Inks: Distress - Festive Berries, Mowed Lawn; Versafine - Onyx Black; Versamark
Dies: Spellbinders - Ovals Petit Sm (S4-140) #6
Accessories: White Lustre Card; Stampin' Up! Card - Real Red; Clear Embossing Powder; Pitt Pen - Gold; Sharpie - Gold

I love the silhouette images that Claire created for the Rustic Christmas set and I used a couple on this card.  I stamped the stag head in Versafine Onyx Black and embossed it with clear powder.  I wanted to emphasise the image, so die cut a mask and inked around the image with red and green.  I put the die over the image and drew around the edge with a gold pen - I moved the die around a bit to create some doodled lines and used two different shades of gold pen.  On the inside I cut a mat layer of red card.  On the white panel I stamped another of the silhouette images with Versamark, heat embossed with clear powder and then went over it with some green ink - love resist emboss!!  I finished by drawing a faux stitched border.

I used a few challenges for this card.  It's a one layer card, so I'm submitting to One Layer Christmas Card Challenge - OLXCC#22 where the theme is Anything Goes with the optional twist of a silhouette - done!  The colours are from Just Us Girls - JUGS#320 - so festive.  Finally, The photo at Inkspirational - INK#96 gave me the idea of a stag head.

That's it for now, but I'll be back later today with my post for the new challenge at Addicted to Stamps and More!  Do drop by and check it out!  See you soon.

Life's Gifts ....

.... Good morning from a very cold and wintery Northville.  We had lots of snow on Saturday (not as much as some, but more than enough for me!).  Yesterday was absolutely beautiful - the whole area looked like a picture postcard with blue skies, sunshine and lots of white, sparkly snow! Photos at the end of the post! Oh, it was very cold too.  So, after I cleared the drive and paths of all that snow, I spent the day in my craft room making cards and here's one I can share today.  This is bold, bright, clean and simple:

Stamps: Woodware - Tulip Doodle, Bold Bloom
Inks: Memento - Tuxedo Black, London Fog; Versafine - Onyx Black
Accessories: White Lustre Card; Stampin' Up! Card - Watermelon Wonder; Copic Markers; Pitt Pen - Silver; Wink of Stella - Clear

I got some new stamps last week, all from Woodware, love the bold designs that can be coloured so easily!  I've combined three of my favourite CAS challenges on this card.  I've used the colours from CAS Colours & Sketches - CASC&S#151.   I think it's really PRETTY and, as that's the cue word at CASology - CAS#173, I'm submitted there too.  The cue word at Addicted to CAS - ATCAS#77 is DIMENSION, and I've given the flowers and leaves some dimension so I'm playing along there too.

I stamped the image on the card base and also on some scrap white card.  I coloured the image with Copic markers, added silver details with a Pitt pen and used a clear Wink of Stella on the flowers for some sparkle.  I cut out the leaves, flowers and butterfly, edged them with a black marker and adhered them to the card.  The smallest leaf was glued flat, and I used dimensional gel on the larger leaves, the flowers and the butterfly (see photo below).  On the inside I cut a mat layer of red card and stamped another flower on the white panel.  I've left lots of space for my message.

Here's a close-up of the flowers showing the dimension:

I had my camera out yesterday to capture some images of the first snowfall of the season.  I don't mind it much at the moment - it's a change from the rich colours of autumn and the heat of summer.

I took this one on my cell phone and through the upstairs window.  Even though it's was only about 7.00am when I took it, you can see that the roads have already been cleared!

Another one on my cell phone - this time at the back of the house - showing the sun coming up - I think sunrise was about 7.30am on Sunday (and getting later by the day!!).

After I'd cleared the drive and paths, I got out my "real" camera and took this one of our house - so pretty!

As the weather has been so nice, I haven't taken in my garden ornaments yet.  This is a photo of one in the back garden - love the way the sun catches it and you can just about see the sparkle of frost on it too!

See those footprints - they are from our noctural visitors.  There are deer in the woods that surround the estate and it's only when we have snow that you can see evidence of them!

Finally, a view of the houses behind our house - this is exactly as it came from the camera - no messing with colours or applying filters - it really was this pretty!

And that's all for today - do drop by again tomorrow!  See you soon.

AC - Trick or Treat ....

.... Good morning!  I hope that wherever you are, you're safe and warm.  Winter arrived in Northville yesterday - we had about 3" of snow - I know that's not much by comparison with some, but it's more than enough.

Anyway, moving on, it's my turn to host a post at Airless Chambers, where we share some of Rick St Dennis's darker images.  I managed to get a bit of time in my craft room yesterday evening to finish a card that I started on Friday when it was still warm and sunny!  I've decided that it's not too early to make a start on next year's Halloween collection:

Stamps: Rick St Dennis Digi - Smiley Bill the Monster Clown; Winnie & Walter - Moonlight
Inks: Stampin' Up! - Soft Sky, Rich Razzleberry, Tangerine Tango; Versamark
Accessories: White Lustre Card; SU Card - Tangerine Tango; Graphic 45 DP - Rare Oddities; Copic Markers; Wink of Stella - Clear; White and Clear Embossing Powders

I know that many people like clowns and actually enjoy watching them.  But I really, really don't like them much - and when they look like Smiley Bill here, I like them even less!  I think he makes a wonderful zombie clown!  I printed him on white card, coloured him with Copic markers, cut him out and added a subtle shimmer to all his greenish skin.  I used tangerine card to make the base and stamped some spiders webs at the corners, embossing them with clear powder to give a tone-on-tone effect.  I cut a piece of purple design paper, stamped on some more spiders webs and embossed them with white powder.  I adhered the panel to the card, attached the clown and finished with a simple sentiment.  I also added a couple of little spiders in the webs.  On the inside I cut a panel of white card, stamped on a greeting and added a few more spiders webs.

I used the colours from this week's Colour Q challenge - cQc#317, as I think they're just perfect for a Halloween card!

If you want to get a head start on next year's Halloween cards, then may I suggest a visit to Rick's Zibbet shop where he has hundreds of images from cute to down right scary!!

I'm not planning on going out at all today - well, I'll have to clear the drive, but apart from that I'm staying indoors and playing in my craft room.  Be safe.  Thanks so much for dropping by, see you soon.

52CCT - Theme ....

.... Hello and Good Morning!  It's time for our new challenge at 52 {Christmas} Card Throwdown - we've reached the third Saturday of the month and that means it's time for our Theme challenge.  This week we'd like to see your Christmas/Winter creations based on the theme of FAMILY & FRIENDS.  As you know we're living in the US, but our family are all in the UK, so to me this theme is about home too, here's my card:

Stamps: Waltzingmouse - Alpine Christmas, Cabin Plaid Background
Inks: Kaleidacolour - Fruitcake; Memento - Rich Cocoa
Dies: Die-namics - Zig-Zag Stitched Ovals Stax #5; Waltzingmouse - Snowflake #2
Accessories: Cream Lustre Card; Stampin' Up! Card - Crumb Cake; SU DP - Crumb Cake; Copic Markers; Glitter; Washi Tape

I've used the layout from this week's challenge at My Favourite Things Wednesday Sketch Club - MFTWSC#255.  The photo at Card Concept - CC#44 inspired me to use a plaid background and go for a really festive colour scheme - reds and greens, with sparkle.

I used Crumb Cake card to create the base.  I stamped the plaid background using a Kaleidacolour pad - love the variation in colours.  I stamped the foreground of snow hills, snowman and trees first, masked them and then added the lovely chalet.  I cut out the image with a fancy edge die and coloured the image with Copic markers.  I kept the colours simple and added three different types of glitter to give some texture to the image.  I adhered the image to the card, added some festive Washi tape and finished with a snowflake.  On the inside I cut a piece of cream card, added a Christmas greeting and lots of snowflakes.

I also took an out-of-focus photo of the chalet to show the shimmer and sparkle of all the different glitters:

The tinsel glitter on the rooftop really catches the light and sparkles so much!

Don't forget that we're running a DT Call - see our blog for full details.  The rest of the team have some fabulous cards to inspire you, so please drop by and leave them a message.  Have fun!!

UC - Christmas ...

.... Good morning!!!  It's time for our new challenge at Uniko.  Our theme this month is CHRISTMAS with the optional twist of a CAS creation.  I don't want to scare you, but there are only 34 days to Christmas!!!  There's still time to create some handmade cards.  Here's my card:

Stamps: Uniko - Rustic Christmas, Simply Said Christmas
Inks: Versamark; Memento - London Fog; Stampin' Up! - Not Quite Navy
Accessories: White Lustre Card; Kaisercraft DP - Silver Bells; Silver Mirri Card; Silver Tinsel Embossing Powder; White Embossing Powder; Vellum

I don't think this really counts as clean and simple, although it was very quick and easy to make.  I've used the colours from this week's challenge at City Crafter Challenge Blog - CCCB#288.  In my huge VAST selection of design paper I found this lovely piece in a Kaisercraft pad.  I love the soft grey musical score with the pretty blue and white Christmas ornaments.  I simply stamped the tree in Versamark and heat embossed it with silver tinsel embossing powder - it sparkles!!   I layered the paper on some silver mirri card and adhered it to the card base.  I added the sentiment by stamping it in Versamark on vellum and heat embossing with white powder.  On the inside I cut another piece of silver mirri card for the mat layer and on the white panel added a Christmas greeting, along with some more Christmas trees.

Our guests for this month's challenges are Shona and Magic Flying Boots - do check out their gorgeous cards.  Don't forget to visit the rest of the team too - they have all made such beautiful cards.

If you need more encouragement to play along - then we have prizes too.  The DT pick an overall winner who will get a £20 gift voucher for the shop.  The DT also pick a Top 3, who will each receive 50 Loyalty Points to their customer account.  If you've used Uniko products on your card, then you'll be entered in the random draw and the winner gets 150 Loyalty Points added to their account.  Finally, if you've twisted with us this month (CAS), then you'll be entered into another random draw, the winner of this draw will get 100 Loyalty Points added to their customer account.  You've plenty of time to join in, deadline for submission is 8.00pm GMT on Friday 4th December (that's 3.00pm EDT for those of us this side of the pond).  Have fun!!

SNG - Merry Christmas ...

....  Morning!  It's a beautiful morning here in Northville - a marked contrast to the grey and rain that we had yesterday.  I've not been in my craft room much this week - well that's not entirely true, I did do some tidying up earlier, but today is the first time I've made a card all week!

Stamps: Rick St Dennis Digi: Christmas Party Hat; Stampers Anonymous - Tim Holtz Crazy Talk
Inks: Versafine - Onyx Black
Dies: PTI - Wet Paint Holiday; Lawn Fawn - Stitched Hillside Borders
Accessories: White Lustre Card; Kaisercraft DP - Home for Christmas; Green Mirri Card; Copic Markers; Wink of Stella - Clear

I'm submitting this card to Muse: Christmas Visions - MCV#29, where I've CASEd Betty's beautiful card.  I've used the colours, the foliage is in my background paper and this lovely hat, and the layout.

I think that by now you all know that I just love Rick's wonderfully elegant Hat Ladies.  This lady is perfect for a Christmas card with the roses and holly in her fabulous hat.  I printed her on white card, coloured with Copic markers, cut her out and added sparkle to the fur and feathers with a clear Wink of Stella Brush.  I used a border die to cut the curve on the design paper and adhered it flat to the card.  I found some really dark green textured mirri card in my stash and die cut the word "Christmas" from it.  I stamped the word "Merry" in black, using my stamp-a-ma-jig to position it.  On the inside I cut a mat from another piece of the design paper, and on the white card I added a border and a greeting.  The only stamping I did on this card is the word Merry!!!

You can find this elegant Hat Lady at Rick's Zibbet shop, along with lots of her friends.  Rick has over 1,200 images at his shop ranging from the elegant ladies, through cute little mice, to fun Halloween, and on through to quite scary Halloween and Creepmas images!  Not only can you get single digital images, but Rick has also produced several colouring books.  If you like rhinestones, furs, elegant ladies - then have a look at Chapeaux a la Mode, it's full of wonderful images and super quotes.  If you fancy something a little more on the dark side, then you'll like Rick's latest addition - Creepy Creepmas.  Hopefully, my copy should arrive today!

Now, I've got to get back into my craft room as I've a few more projects to make.  So, that's all for now.  As always, thank you so much for stopping by and for leaving comments - I really do appreciate it.  Bye for now!