Christmas Place Cards

Its tradition at my parents house to have place cards at Christmas time.  There aren't that many of us, but it was something that my niece started several years ago.  The ones that we had been using were getting old, so we decided to make some new ones.  Here are the ones that we made:

I used:

• Neat & Tangled Christmas Pageant stamps and dies
• Neat & Tangled Elf and Their Shelf stamps and dies
• Zig Clean Color Real Brush Markers
• Wink of Stella - Clear
• Sizzix Letter Dies

To make these cards, the images were stamped, and then colored with the Zig Clean Color brushes.  The images were cut out using the matching dies.  Letters for all of the names were cut using the Sizzix dies.  Red, Green and Blue card stock was cut, and the images added to complete the place cards.

Here are some close-ups:

Foiled Christmas Cards

Last year I picked up all of the supplies to make these cards, I just didn't get to it until this year!  These cards were very quick to make.

I used the following to make the cards:

• Gina K Foil Mates and Fancy Foil
• Heidi Swapp Minc Foil and Minc Paper
• Sookwang double sided tape

To make the cards, I ran the different papers through my Minc using various foils.  The paper was then cut to size and added to a card base. The Gina K Foil Mate sentiments were foiled and then cut using circle and oval dies, and added to the cards.

I used the left over foil for cards as well!  To do this, I added a piece of Sookwang tape to white card stock, and then carefully added the foil.  I was able to do this with both the backgrounds and sentiments!  These were then added to card bases.  I think that in some cases, I liked these better.

More quick Christmas Cards

I wish I had more time to make Christmas Cards!  Instead, this year, I need quick cards.  Here are some more cards I made:

For the red card I used:

• Versamark
• Stampendous Detailed Gold Embossing Powder
• Technique Junkies Peace On Earth Dove

For the Green Card:

• Versamark
• Stampendous Detailed Gold Embossing Powder
• Tim Holtz Holiday Knits
• Green Glitter Embossing Powder
• Gina K Simple Snowflakes (for sentiment)

For both cards, I stamped the background with Versmark, added the Embossing Powder and heat set it.  Both were cut to 4 x 5.25 and added to a card base.  For the green card, the sentiment was stamped with Versamark, heat set and added to the card with pop dots.

Stampendous Our Doorstep Christmas Card

With so much going on this time of year, I am always looking for a card that I can make that is quick.  Here is one, from what is now one of my favorite stamps:

I used the following for the card:

• Versamark
• Stampendous Detailed White Embossing Powder
• Stampendous Our Doorstep Step Cling Stamp

To make the card, I stamped the image with Versamark, added the embossing powder and heat set.  The image was cut down slightly smaller to 4 x 5 1/4 and added to a card base.

Another Northwoods Snowman

Here is another cute Snowmanfrom Northwoods Rubber Stamps.  I did three of them, and  had originally planned on using these Snowmenon a different card, but the design didn't work.  But these Sonowmen just had to be used!  Here are the cards I made with them:

And a couple of close ups:

To make these cards, I used:

• Northwoods Rubber Stamps - Snowman With Presents, Scarf and Broom
• Faber Castell Polychromos Colored Pencils
• Darice Embossing Folder 
• Neat & Tangled - Christmas Pageant
• Lawn Fawn - Perfectly Plaid Christmas Paper Pad
• Simon Says Stamp - Stitched Circles Die

To make the cards, I stamped the images on white card stock, and colored them with the colored pencils.  These were then cut out using the Stitched Circles dies.  I then embossed another piece of white card stock, and added it to the card base.  A solid color (either red or green) was cut and added to the white.  Then squares cut from the plaid paper were cut and added.  The circle was added and the sentiment (from the Neat & Tangled) was added to complete the card.

Northwood Rubber Stamp Snowman Card

I've always like Northwoods Rubber Stamps (I wish I could afford all of them!).  I also am so happy that they are now offered in Cling format, it helps with storage.  This year purchased the "Snowman with Presents, Scarf and Broom" Cling Stamp set.  Here is the card I made with one of the snowmen from the set.

I used the following for the card:

• Northwoods Rubber Stamps - Snowman with Presents, Scarf & Broom Cling Stamp Set
• Faber Castell Polychromos Colored Pencils
• Simon Says Stamp Stitched Rectangles
• Memento Tuxedo Black Ink

This was a simple card to make.  I stamped the image with the Memento ink, colored with Faber Castell colored pencils, cut the image with the Stitched rectangle die, matted the image and added it to the card base.

Let it Snow - Christmas Card

When I first saw this snowman, I knew I had to have the die,  He is just so cute!  And it uses a lot of scrap pieces of paper!  Here is the card:

To make the card, I used:

• Deco Foil Transfer Gel
• Gina K Fancy Foils - Sparkling Silver
• Creative Expression - Sue Wilson - Let it Snow Die, Build a Snowman Die set
• Memory Box - Winter Tiny Snowflakes Stencil
• Lawn Fawn - Stitched Hillside Die
• Heidi Swapp - Toner Sheets, Red Minc Foil

To make the card, I cut out all of the pieces for the Snowman and Light using a variety of scrap pieces of paper.  I assembled the Snowman and light.  The hill was cut from white paper.  I trimmed a piece of light blue paper, slightly smaller than the card base.  Using the stencil, transfer gel was added.  Once dry, the Sparkling Silver foil was added using my Minc machine.  I cut the Let It Snow from toner sheets, and added the red foil.  All of the pieces were then added to the card base to complete the card.

Hooray - Its's Your Day Birthday Card

I seem to use products from a variety of companies.  Here is a birthday card I made using products from Altenew, Tim Holtz, My Favorite Things, and Lawn Fawn.

I used the following:

• Altenew - Weave Builder Stencil
• Distress Oxide Ink - Faded Jeans, Weathered Wood
• My Favorite Things - Hooray Die, Delicious Birthday Stamp set
• Lawn Fawndamentals - Deep Sea Ink

To make the card, I created the background using the stencil and the distress oxide ink.  This was then trimmed to slightly smaller than the card front and attached. I cut out the hooray several times, stacked them and added to the card.  I used one of the stamps, masking part of it, and stamped it on a strip of paper, which was then added to the card.

Foiling with an Altenew Stencil

I love the look of foil on a card - I just wish I could photograph it better.  Here are two cards I made with foil and an Altenew Stencil:

I used the following to make the cards:

• Altenew Leaf Burst Stencil
• Deco Foil Transfer Gel
• Darice Adhesive Strips
• Ranger Dye Ink - Caribbean Blue
• Memento - Rose Bud Ink
• Deco Foil - Lapis Watercolor, Summer Rainbow
• Close To My Heart - Celebration Stamp Set

To make the cards, I secured the stencil to a piece of white card stock and added the Transfer Gel, and then removed the stencil.  Once the gel was dry, I added the foil using my Minc machine.  The foiled image was then matted and added to a card base.  The sentiments were stamped in an ink that matched the foil and mat.  These were then cut to size, and added to the card using adhesive strips.  

More cards with Alcohol Ink Backgrounds

I'm still using the alcohol ink backgrounds I made a while back.  Here are 2 more cards I made using the backgrounds.

I used the following to make the cards:

• Yupo Paper
• Various Alcohol Inks
• Tutti Designs - Bird House Stained Glass Die
• Stick-it
• Black and Silver Card Stock

I think that overall - I like the black and green version better.  I will probably make a few more of these, using the backgrounds I have on hand.  

A Pumpkin Halloween Card

For this Halloween card, I used a variety of supplies, and also tried a comparison of my Prismacolor and Faber-Castell Polychromos pencils.  One card was done with the Prismacolor pencils, the other with the Faber-Castell.  Overall, to me the pencils are similar, but I liked the feel of the Polychromos better.  They just seemed to be smoother.

Here are the cards:

Faber-Castell Version:

 Prismacolor Version:

I used the following for the cards:
Gina K - Sweet Mango Foil
Deco Foil - Pumpkin Patch Clear Toner Sheets
Simon Says Stamp - Stitched Rectangles
Hero Arts Infinity Dies - Oval
Prismacolor Pencils
Faber-Castell Polychromos Pencils
Gina K Amalgam Ink
Hampton Art - Halloween Stamp

To make the card, I stamped the image on white card stock with the Gina K amalgam ink and colored with the colored pencils (either Prismacolor or Faber-Castell).  The image cut with the oval dies, and a second oval, slightly larger was also cut as a mat.  I foiled the clear toner sheet.  A rectangle frame was cut with the Stitched Rectangle dies.  The foiled image was cut to fit the black frame, and added to the frame.  The stamped pumpkins were added on top of the foiled image.  This was them added to the card base.

Another Lawn Fawn Halloween Card

Here is another card, made with the Candy Corn add-on stamp set.  For this card, I just used the stamps.

I used the following for the card:

• Lawn Fawn - Candy Corn add on stamps
• Martha Stewart - Halloween stamps (old set!)
• Copic - C0, C1, C3, Y6, YG07
• Distress Oxide Ink - Carved Pumpkin, Wilted Violet and Black Soot
• Versamark
• Stampendous Detailed White Embossing Powder
• Memento London Fog

To make the card, I stamped the candy corn cluster on white cardstock with Memento London Fog ink.  I masked the image, and continued stamping the lenght of the card base, masking as I went. The masks removed, and the candy corn colored with Copic markers.  The masks were then re-applied and the backgound added with the distress oixde inks.  Once dry, the sentiment was added with Versamark, embossing powder added and heat set.  The panel was then cut to 4 x 5.25 and added to the card base o complete the card.

Halloween with Lawn Fawn

When I first saw the "How You Bean" stamps and dies by Lawn Fawn, I thought - cute, but I have enough Easter realted stamps.  Then they came out with the Candy Corn add-on.  I knew I had to have that, which of course made me get the "How you Bean" stamps and dies as well!  I mean I can always use more Easter stamp - right?

But for Halloween - this set is great!  Here some of the cards I made:

I used the following to make the cards:

• Lawn Fawn - Candy Corn add-on, stamps and dies
• Lawn Fawn - How You Bean, stamps and dies
• Lawn Fawn - Perfectly Plaid Fall Paper
• Mama Elephant - Bootastic Stamp set
• Copic Markers- C0, C1, C3, Y06, YG07
• Memento - London Fog and Tangelo
• Acetate
• Sookwang double sided tape

To make the cards, I stamped the candycorn in London Fog ink, and then colored them with the Copic Markers.  These were then cut out with the matching dies.  On a piece of light orange paper, I stamped the jar for the How You Bean set.  The lid for the jar was stamped on white paper, colored with Copic Markers and cut with the matching die.  I added double sided tape to the acetate, and cut the jar out.  I then added the Candy Corn to the jar, added the jar cut from the acetate, then the lid to the jar.  The individual Candy Corn was added last.  The panel was then cut to size and added to the plaid background.  The entire piece was added to the card base.  I then stamped the Sentiment from the Mama Elephant Bootastic set to complete the card.

Close ups:

Another Vanilla Arts Class - Candlelight

The first class I took from Vanilla Arts (https://www.vanillaarts.com/online-learning/), was Candlelight.  I actually did this one twice, since for the first one, I didn't have the suggested paper, I didn't have all of the Copic Markers, and the most important, I was not happy with the candle.   For the second one, I did use the suggest paper, and had purchased the Copic Markers. I like it better, but still had problems with the candle.  Perhaps I need to try it one more time!

First try

Second Try

Vanilla Arts Red Bird

I've recently begun taking some of the on-line classes from Vanilla Arts (https://www.vanillaarts.com/online-learning).  The Red Bird was one of my favorites. Its done with a combination of Copic markers and pencils.  This was a fun class! 

Here is my version:

I'll probably do this one again, since the feathers on the back of the cardinal gave me some problems, and I'd like to try it again, to see if I can get better with those feathers!

Alcohol Ink and Yupo Paper

I'm back - slowly.  In March a tree hit our house.  We didn't get back in until the end of June!  Then just as we finally got settled, our sump pump in the basement failed.  Our basement is fully finished and furnished.  So now, we need to deal with that as well.  Fortunately insurance is covering both incidents.

While I we were out of our house, I was seeing examples of Alcohol Ink, Yupo paper, and in some cases foil, backgrounds.  So of course, once I was able to start crafting again, I had to give it a try.  I had used Alcohol Ink in the past, but this was the first time using Yupo paper.

Here are some samples of what I made:

I used some of them to make into cards:

The sentiments for all of the cards are from Gina K Designs Vertical Greetings and Things stamp set.  The Butterfly die cut is from Impression Obsession, and the Flower Die cut is from Simply Defined - Love Story Juliet.

Now what to do with the rest of the samples .....

A Blue Bird Birhtday Card

Now that I have a better way to get vibrant colors on dark card stock with Prismacolor Pencils, I had make another card. 

I used the following to make this card:

• Elizabeth Craft Designs - Robin 1 Floral Wreath
• Elizabeth Craft Designs - Flower Mosaic Embossing Folder
• Versamark
• Stampendous - Detailed Gold Embossing Power
• Prismacolor Pencils
• Close to My Heart - Celebration Stamp Set
• Hero Arts Infinity Circle Dies

To make the card, I stamped the Robin image with Versamark, added gold embossing powder and heat set.  I then used the White Prismacolor pencil to color most of the image.  The image was then colored with a variety of Prismacolor pencils on top on the white.  The image was then cut with one of the circle dies.  The sentiment was stamped with Versamark, gold embossing powder added and heat set.  For the background, I embossed a piece of blue card stock with the Flower Mosaic Embossing Folder.  The bird image and sentiment was then added.  For the card base, I rubbed Versafine along the edges, added gold embossing powder and heat set.  The panel was then added to the card base to complete the card.

Stampendous Cottage Rose

Stampendous Cottage Rose is a go-to stamp for me.  I use it when I want to try new techniques, or practice old ones.  One of the looks that I love, it colored pencil on dark card stock, but I have never been happy with the results.  Then along came a video from Gina K (see it here), and I had to try it again.  The trick for me, is to use white pencil first.

I used the following for the card:

• Stampendous - Cottage Rose Stamp
• Stampendous - Detailed Gold Embossing Powder
• Versamark
• Prismacolor Pencils
• Close to My Heart - Joyful Birthday Occasions

TO make the card, I stamped the image with Versamark, added the gold embossing powder and heat set it.  Then I used the white Prismacolor pencil, and colored most of the image with it.  On top of the white, I then added the other colors.  This really seemed to make the image pop.  The sentiment was added by stamping with Versamark, adding the gold embossing powder and heat setting it.  For the card base, I added Versamark to the edges, added the gold embossing powder and heat set.  The image panel was then added to complete the card.

Flower Silhouette Birthday Card

I love the way this card came out, I'll have to make more that are similar!

I used the following for the card:

• Hero Arts - Flowers stamp
• MFT - Handwritten Happiness Stamp set
• Distress Oxide Ink - Fossilized Amber, Wild Honey, Spiced Marmalade, Fired Brick
• Versafine Black Onyx Ink
• Zing Clear Embossing Powder

The background was the first thing made for this card, I sponged the Distress Oxide inks on a piece of white card stock, lightest to darkest. Water was spritzed on the panel.  Once dried, the flower image was stamped with Versafine Black Onyx Ink.  Clear Embossing powder was added and heat set.  The steps were taken for the sentiment.  The panel was matted with black card stock and added to the card base to complete the card.

MFT Beach Day Birthday Card

A bit of a story behind this card.  My daughter-in-law loves pigs.  When she heard that you can swim with the pigs in Exuma, Bahamas they went! Well, she got bit by one of the pigs ... nothing serious - more of just a bruise.  So I just had to make this card for her for her birthday!

(and the red mark on her leg is not an ink blot!  Its to symbolize where the pig bit!)

I used the following for the card:

• MFT Beach Day Stamp set
• Prickley Pear - Pig stamp
• Simon Says Stamp Wave Stencil
• Distress Ink - Tumbled Glass, Broken China
• Various Copic Markers
• MFT Handwritten Happiness Stamp set
• Ranger Caribbean Coast Ink

To make the card, I used the Wave Stencil and sponged the Broken China ink over it.  After removing the stencil, I sponged Tumbled Glass over the entire area.  The Pig was then stamped (I needed to learn how to reverse the image!), and masked.  The Girl was then added.  Both were colored with carious Copic markers.  The sand and Sky were then added with Copic Markers.  The sentiment was added last.  The entire panel was matted and added to the card base to complete the card.

MFT Recipe for Happiness Birthday Card

I have a co-worker who loves to cook.  We have been fortunate to have some of his creations!  I thought that this card would be perfect for his birthday.

I used the following for the card:

• MFT Recipe for Happiness Stamps and Dies
• MFT Hybrid Black Ink
• MFT Small Brick Background Stamp
• Distress Ink - Fired Brick
• Versamark
• Stampendous Detailed White Embossing Powder
• Various Copic Markers
• Lawn Fawn Scripty Sayings stamp set

To make the card, I stamped all of the Recipe for Happiness stamps with the MFT Hybrid Black Ink.  These were then colored with Copic Markers, and then cut with the matching dies.  For the background, the Small Brick background stamp was inked with Fired Brick ink and stamped on watercolor paper.  I then sponged the whole area with the same ink.  Water was spritzed on the panel to add texture.  The images were added to the panel.  The sentiment stamped with Versamark, and white embossing powder added and heat set.  The entire panel was added to the card base to complete the card.

Out of this world Brithday Card

A while back, I saw a similar card on the Altenew YouTube channel (see it here).  While I don't have the same stamps or dies, it was a chance for me to try the techniques shown in the view, using what I have on hand.

I used the following to make the card:

• Distress Ink: Chipped Sapphire, Black Soot, Seedless Preserves
• A variety of dye inks
• Simon Says Stamp - Lots of Dots
• A wood grained stamp
• Hero Arts Infinity Circle dies
• Versamark
• Stampendous Detail White Embossing Power

To make the card, I used one of the larger dot stamps, inked it with one of the colors of ink, then stamped it off a bit on a wood grained stamp.  This was then stamped on white card stock.  I made several of these circles.  These were then die cut using a variety of sizes of the circle dies.  The galaxy background was made by blending the Distress Inks on white card stock, and then adding several spritzes of water.  The planets were then added to the background, and the sentiment added to complete the card.

Penny Black Scented Bouquet

At the same yard sale I got last weeks stamp at, I also picked up the one used on this card.

To make this card, I used:

• Penny Black - Scented Bouquet Stamp
• Versafine Black Onyx Ink
• Prismacolor Pencils
• Hero Arts Infinity Dies - Oval

For this card, I stamped the image with Versafine Black Onyx ink.  The image was then colored with Prismacolor pencils.  A piece of yellow card stock was cut to 4 x 5.25 and an oval cut in the center.  The image was then mounted underneath and the entire piece added to a white card base.  The sentiment was then added to complete the card.

Waterfall in the Woods

Blue Knight Rubber stamps has some stamps that make for great "guy" cards.  Here is a card that I made with one of their stamps:

To make this card, I used:

• Blue Knight Rubber Stamps - Water Fall in the Woods
• Prismacolor Pencils
• Versafine Black Onyx Ink
• Wink of Stella - Clear

For this card, I stamped the image using the Versafine Black Onyx Ink.  The image was then colored with Prismacolor pencils.  Wink of Stella was used over the water area of the image.  The image was then mounted on dark blue card stock and the entire piece added to a green card base.  The sentiment is on the inside of this card, since I didn't want to cover any of the image.

GIna K Sending Love

Gina K has some of the beat flower stamps!  Here is a card I made with one of them:

To make this card, I used the following:

• Gina K - Sending Love Stamp set
• Prismacolor Pencils
• Tim Holtz Celebrate Dies
• Versfine Black Onyx Ink

To make this card, I stamped the corner image at both the top left and bottom right of a 4 x 5.25 piece of white card stock.  The image was then colored with Prismacolor pencils.  From closely matching color card stock, I cut the happy birthday sentiment using the Celebrate dies.  These were then added to the center area of the image.  The image was then added to a card base to complete the card,

An Art Impressions Valentine

I made this card for my husband for Valentines day.  I got the idea from @triciadollkennedy on Instagram. 

I used the following for the card:
Art Impressions Stamps - WC Birds, Flower Set, EZ Project C
Marvy Le Plume II - Sepia, Steel Blue, Olive Green, Persimmon

To  make the card, with a pencil I lightly traced a heart die on a piece of water color paper.  I then colored the stamps, and stamped them around the heart, leaving room for the birds.  Between the flowers, the leaf stamps were colored and stamped between the flowers.  Water was then added to the stamped images for that wonderful water color look.  The birds were then added in a similar manner.  The sentiment (from an unknown manufacturer) was stamped.  The panel was added to a red mat, and then added to the card base to complete the card.

A Bucket of Tulips

Tulips are another flower that I really like, but can't seem to grow.  Many years ago, I found this stamp at a yard sale, and it was of tulips.  I had to get it, but didn't really use it.  Going through my stamps recently, I once again found it and here is the card I made with it:

To make the card, I used:

• "Bucket of Tulips" - I have no idea of the manufacturer or real name 
• Copic Markers
• Hero Arts - Infinity Dies - Oval
• Memento Black Ink

To make the card, I stamped the image with Memento ink.  The image was then colored with Copic Markers.  Dark pink card stock was cut to 4 x 5.25.  From the center of the card stock I cut an oval with one of the Hero Arts oval dies.  The colored image was mounted behind the pink card stock, and the entire piece added to a white card base.  The sentiment was then added to complete the card.

Covered Bridge with Blue Knight Rubber Stamps

Covered bridges always remind me of New Hampshire, where my husband is from.  This stamp just called to me when I saw it.  Here is a card I made with the stamp:

To make the card, I used:

• Blue Knight Rubber Stamps - Covered Bridge
• Prismacolor Pencils
• Versafine Black Onyx Ink

To make the card, I stamped the image with Versafine Black Onyx Ink.  The image was then colored with Prismacolor Pencils.  The image was then cut to size, and mounted to brown card stock, which was then added to a card base to complete the card. 

Technique Junkies - Stargazers

I really like lilies, and can't seem to grow them, so I'll take second best and stamp them!  Here is a card I made with Technique Junkies Stargazers stamp set.

I used the following to make the card:
Techniques Junkies - Stargazers Stamp
Prismacolor Pencils
My Favorite Things - Handwritten Happiness Stamp set
Ranger - Grape Soda Ink
Verasmark Black Onyx Ink

To make the card, I stamped the Stargazer stamp with Versafine Black Onyx Ink.  I then colored the image with Prismacolor pencils.  The image was then cut to size, mounted it to green card stock, and them the entire image added to a card base.  On a white strip of paper, the sentiment was stamped and then added to the image on the front of the card.