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).