Christmas tree book folding

I don't think I'll try this again any time soon, at least not without using a book that the pages aren't of a better quality paper.  They didn't want to fold neatly or cleanly.  My book is about 7" x 9".  I did glue some of the pages together for stability.

The deer, Victorian caroler and lamppost are Sizzix dies and were cut from black cardstock.  The deer was cut from folded paper in such a way as to create a flat base to perch on top of the tree.  I couldn't find my 3D star die to use instead.  Behind the lamppost is gold glitzy paper.  I don't know the maker of the ribbons. 

Our librarian created the one that is on display at our local library.  Hers is just like this but she used a big white snowflake as a tree topper.

Rollagraph wheels

Do you remember when these were all the rage?  That was a long, long time ago.  I have plenty of handles, Ancient Page cartridges (surprisingly enough many were still wet enough to use!) and even have a big table-top model (gathering dust). 

An art sister asked if anyone wanted some of her wheels.  I spoke up for the Flagstone one because I had an idea in mind for it, albeit a lame one.  Much to my surprise, when the package came it had several in it.  Her only request was that a card (or cards) be made using them and sent to her (via photo was fine). 

This week I used 2 of the non-Christmas wheels on holiday cards that I will send on to the friend.  I hope she enjoys the fruits of my labor.  Both were original ideas but ones that had been on my mind for awhile.

I created background paper (Rollagraph wheel Designer #4) using a red ink cardtridge (yes, the ink was faded but still liked the color) and turned it from a spring-like background to one with more of a holiday feel by adding gold dots to the flower centers and outlining the card in gold and putting it on a coordinating pink mat on a white card.  The garland on the tree is stamped to coordinate with the pinkish mats.  The tree (Stampers Anonymous Watercolor Trees) was stamped on watercolor cardstock using distress inks and distress oxide inks.  The sentiment was stamped in Jet Black archival ink.  Both the image and sentiment were covered in clear embossing ink and heat set.  

The 2nd card I used Rollagraph wheel - Flagstone and green ink.  The holly & berries image and sentiment are from Stampers Anonymous December Doodles and stamped in Jet Black archival ink.  The holly & berries were colored with distress oxide inks.  I scattered Shape Shifter mini stencil 113 to some of the squares; I also drew black lines around some of the edges.  The background was created using images from the same set but stamped in distress inks.  Again, the image and sentiment were covered in clear embossing ink and heat set. The oval punch and scalloped oval punch are EK Success.  (This is not the original -lame - idea I had for this wheel.)

Guess I need to look around my craft space and see what else I can use that hasn't seen the light of day in a long time.  What's old can be new again!

December birthdays and anniversaries

I used the same images for both cards but made a few changes to celebrate this month's birthdays and anniversary.  Again, more of Gina K's wreath building stamp sets.  Multiple distress inks were used and I colored some clear gems with a yellow sharpie for the flower centers.  The Bazzill blue cardstock was cut with a border punch.

Back to fall

Here are more images from Gina K's wreath building stamp sets.  Ranger distress inks were used on both cards.  Most of the cardstock is Bazzill.  The letters (Gwood and thank you) were leftovers from previous projects; they are Sizzix dies. Gwood was covered with Copper crackle paint and a brown ink smushed into the cracks.

Following along with Art Impressions videos

I love following along with the Art Impressions watercolor videos that Bonnie Krebs, owner and designer, has been doing.  Here's my rendition of her pumpkin cart - I pretty much followed along exactly as seen in the video from Sept. 19, 2018.

The images are from Art Impressions (5059, 4703, 4605, 4965, 5009) and colored with Marvy markers.  The blue layer is distress cardstock; the yam is from Bazzill.  The watercolor cardstock is Strathmore 140#.

Here's another card that follows a more recent video (Nov. 28, 2018) - Fox on a snowy bench.
I die cut the watercolor paper with Sizzix Stitched Rectangles 661189.  The blue cardstock is Bazzill and again, Marvy markers were used to color the image.

Happy birthday, Lucas!

A good friend and local bartender turned 25 recently.  He just got a new truck, albeit a white one.  I just couldn't make this truck look good in white.

I used a Rollagraph stamp across an inkpad to create the tracks on the card.  (I was surprised he immediately knew what they were!).  The Dark Room Door image was stamped in Acorn archival ink onto watercolor cardstock and colored with General's pastel chalk pencils.  I did spray it with Krylon matte sealer to prevent smudges.

Inside I created a small pull out tag and envelope besides the traditional 'Happy birthday' wishes.  On the tag I stamped 'If it has tires or testicles, it's going to be trouble.'  He had a big laugh over that.  In his possession is a motorcycle, jeep and truck.

Holiday cards

Here are a few holiday cards I made this year.  This is one of the Christmas cards I made.  The image is from Paper Trey and was stamped in Jet Black archival ink onto watercolor paper.  It was colored using numerous distress inks.  I cut out teeny tiny masks for the rooftops (including the silo!) and trees.  The deer and embossing folders are from Sizzix.  The red belt is Bazzill cardstock and a white gel pen was used to add stitching.

I made these cards using one of Gina K's wreath building stamp sets.  My stamp positioner came in very handy!  All inks are Ranger distress.  I did add a bit of glitz with a Stardust gel pen.

This tag features 2 stamp sets from Stampers Anonymous (CMS 293 and CMS 357).  The tag was cut from white cardstock (Sizzix 658784).  Ranger's Adirondack Oregano dye ink was used with Stampers Anonymous mini stencil 97 and Tim's new stencil brushes (which I didn't think I did until I used it with this stencil).  The blotch was stamped in Ranger Shadow Grey archival ink.  The deer was stamped in embossing ink and Mixed Media Powder 'Hammered' was poured, let to sit for a moment, then heat set.  It's really a cool look and is quite obvious IRL.  The ribbons are from Bazzill (Root Beer Trio) and purchased a v-e-r-y l-o-n-g time ago.

Happy Chanukah!  This is another Gina K wreath building stamp set.  I used silver pigment ink for the stars and Tumbled Glass and Broken China for the sentiment and dove (Printworks B2729).

Use your S**t challenge - time

I forgot about posting this entry...oops!  Sorry about that!

Two-page spread using Sizzix dies, archival inks, distress inks, distress oxide inks, a graphite pencil, distress crayons, distress markers, shifter stencil, Tim Holtz/Stampers Anonymous stamps, Hero Arts stamps, adhesives, vellum, miscellaneous stamp on the lower left page, cardstock scraps

Use your S**t challenge - glitter

Oh, how I dislike glitter.  And now I like it even less.  I forgot to turn off the ceiling fan so when I pulled out several jars (that either hadn't been closed tightly or had excess on top of the shakers) my room became rather sparkly.  Heavy, heavy sigh.

I decided to make a one-page layout showing my feelings about glitter.  I painted on the plaid (unknown paint) freehand.  Can you tell?  lol  Two Sizzix ornaments were die cut, one with the word 'joy' out of black cardstock.  The 'joy' one was run covered with double-sided tape first so the glitter would adhere best (I hope!).  My sentiment was die cut using Tim's new alpha thinlits dies and black paper.  Once on the page I drew around them with a Sharpie to echo the message.  Additionally, I scribbled 'I hate glitter!' across the upper right hand edge.





I had a new sunflower die (unknown manufacturer) that was itching to be used.  The sample I had seen had watercolor paper inserts but I wanted to see if I could 'paint' with glitter.  Turns out I can.  Not sure how the green stayed completely within the lines.  But I like it and that's all that matters!

The glitters I used were Martha Stewart and the rest weren't labeled any longer.  That's how long I've had them.  lol

Challenge for the week

My friend, Lori, has been issuing weekly challenges (to use your s**t because we most have plenty to use!) over on Facebook.  This week you were to watch a video (she shared the link on FB) by Francis Papillon.  Here's my take using the same general procedures but not the same products.

Ingredients used (in no particular order):
Ranger:  archival inks (Coffee, Black Soot); Distress Grit Paste; Glue N'Seal; Distress paints (Walnut Stain, Tea Dye, Crushed Olive, Fossilized Amber, Antiqued Bronze); Distress crayons (Vintage Photo, Walnut Stain); scraps of cardstock; Stampers Anonymous (Studio 490 015, 016 and TH CMS343); leaf punch; black Sharpie; mulberry scraps; snippets of hemp twine

It's been too long....

since my last post.  I can only apologize and hope to do better.  I'll share as many cards as I can today but won't have any details...sorry.  I'm not sure I kept my notes on how I created them.  I'm trying out a new photo editor as I lost my last one when my computer crashed last Thanksgiving.  Resizing photos is still hard for me; please bear with me.  If you send me an email (susan-k@outlook.com) I will do my best to answer your questions about specific cards.  Enjoy my cards that I created between April and October.