Easter Trinity

Happy day friends,
I have a trio of Easter cards (more on the religious side) to share with you today.
Here's the first:

I die-cut the cross (Spellbinders) and the "blessed" dies (Simon Says Stamp) out of two different shades of gold cardstock. I ink blended the background with Tumbled Glass Distress Ink. The grassy hill is from an old stamp I had from Posh Impressions by Dee Gruenig. It was one of the first stamps I ever bought for crafting *Ü* I did first and second generation stamping to get a couple shades of green.

I adhered just the "b" and "d" so that the rest of the letters would be floating over the cross & that gave it some cool dimension.

Here's the simple innies:

 That is another old stamp from Hero Arts.

Here's card #2: (this one is going to my Grammy *Ü*)

I used the Easter Lilies Stamp (Heartfelt Creations) and stamped it twice to create a wreath of lilies. I used hot press watercolor paper and heat embossed the image in Liquid Platinum embossing powder (Ranger). I colored the images with the ZIG Clean Color Real Brush markers using water and a paintbrush. I used the clear Wink of Stella Brush to give the Lilies some shimmer.

Here's a closer peek at that shimmer:

I heat embossed the greeting on vellum using the liquid platinum powder and scattered some sparkling clear sequins (Pretty Pink Posh).

Here's the innie:

 The crosses are also from the same set.

To complete the trio, here's card #3:

I used hot pressed watercolor paper again to stamp the cross image from the Cross and Lilies set (Heartfelt Creations). I colored these the same as the previous card with ZIG CCRB and WoStella, except I used gold embossing powder (Ranger). I stamped the Stained Glass Background (Heartfelt Creations) in versamark ink and heat embossed it in gold embossing powder. I die-cut the Decorative Oval Window Die (Heartfelt Creations) out of gold cardstock. Then I stacked everything with foam tape for lots of dimension and layers *Ü*

Here's another peek:

 Capturing the shimmer of the Wink of Stella on camera is like capturing Bigfoot... :(

Here's the simple innies:

 I used Vintage Cream cardstock (PTI) for this card.

Thanks so much for peeking today! I have some Spring cards to share soon.
Hope you have a Sunday Funday *Ü*
Tootles,

Holiday Card Blitz Returns

Hi again friends,
I am back with a few more Christmas cards. While the last set of cards were more fun & whimsy, these are a but more fancy and formal. One of these cards is going to my Grammy, but I reeeeally don't know which one!!! I don't know which one she'll like the most :(   Anyhoo...

Here's the first:

I used embossing paste and the Poinsettias stencil from Judykins for the background. It's such a neat effect! The image is from the Holiday Poinsettia Candle by Heartfelt Creations. I heat embossed it in white and colored it with the Zig Clean Color Real Brush markers. I added a strip of washi tape to anchor the image. The Noel die cut comes from the Holiday Words: Script dies from Sizzix/TH.
Here are some closer peeks:

I turned to another Heartfelt Creations stamp for this card:
This time, I used the Regal Poinsettia 2 stamp set.

I used the Zig CCRB markers again along with my clear Wink of Stella brush to paint them. This could not have been easier to do! Then I decided I wanted glitter--- LOTS of glitter! So I painted some glue around the poinsettias and covered it in some Martha Stewart Crystal Fine glitter. Luv it!

To complete it, I added some gold sequins to the centers, die cut "Merry Christmas" from gold cardstock (again, from the Holiday Words: Script dies) and mounted it on some gold Glitzy Glitter cardstock from DCWV. Like they say... All that Glitters, makes me happy *Ü*

The next card uses another Heartfelt Creations Stamp:

This comes from the Snowy Cardinal stamp set. I water-colored it with Distress Inks.

I made sure to paint outside the lines so you'd know this was colored by hand ;) wink... The watercolor paper was cut out using the Spellbinders Labels Nine die.

For the last card, I decided to try my hand again with the ZIG CCRB markers.

I heat embossed it with clear powder on some Bristol paper. WOW! It almost doesn't look like the same image. Friends, I think the hype with these markers is well-earned. They are easy to use, are quite versatile, and give good results. I think I'm going to change out the sentiment on this one. Just in case inquiring minds want to know... I purchased the Zig set of 24 markers. It comes with several shades of the same color---except for red. So I purchased 2 additional red shades & I'm really happy with what I have. So, no, I'm not getting all of the markers, Lol.

OK, 4 cards is my legal limit before I have to slap a cover on it & pay a publisher!
Thank you so much for hanging in there for so many cards.

I have to go out & finish up some shopping :(   Thanks for popping in today!
Tootles,

Some bunny is back!

Hi ya friends!
Nooo, your eyes are not deceiving you---I'm back today after a little hiatus from the blog-o.
Today, I thought I'd share 3 Easter cards I made. Why 3? I like 3...3's a good number *Ü*

The first card went to Grammy:

 

 

As you can see, I'm still a more is more kind of crafty girl. It's a simple card really (if you take away all the layers, heat embossing, and tons of fussy cutting) it's just white & gold. I used lots of Heartfelt Creations goodies since my Grammy luvs their stamps. All the lilies were colored with Copics & have a swish of clear Wink of Stella.

Here's a peek of the innies:

 Clearly time has not improved my photog skills :(  sorry for the blurr...

Card 2:

I used a different HC stamp for the main image. I heat embossed it twice & layered just the cross on top and then a cross die cut and then a lily.

Here are the innies:

Last but not least, I wanted to make a more colorful card.

I used pink, blue, & gold. The blue behind the cross got a big swish of Wink of Stella in clear so it looks shimmery IRL.

Thanks so much for peeking today! I've been a super busy little teacher but I'll be back from time to time to share more crafty concoctions as time permits  *Ü*  Have a happy Sunday!

Tootles for now,
 

The 411
Card 1
Stamps: Easter Lilies, Cross & Lilies- Heartfelt Creations
Eggcoutrements, Abundant Hope- SU 
Paper: White CS, Gold CS
Tools: Cross & lilies dies- HC, butterly punch-MS, Lattice frame-Impression Obsession, Wink of Stella Clear

Card 2
Stamps: Wrought Iron Cross, Cross & Lilies- HC
Abundant Hope, En Francais-SU
Paper: cream CS, Gold CS
Tools: Script CBEF, Cross & lilies dies-HC, Ribbon Banners- Spellbinders
Other: Gold embossing powder, ribbon, viva decor pen

Card 3
Stamps: Wrought Iron Cross-HC  
Abundant Hope-SU
Paper: Pink CS, Blue CS, Cream CS, Gold CS
Tools: Decorative Oval Window Die-HC, Ribbon Banners-Spellbinders, Deco fan punch-MS, Script CBEF, Wink of Stella clear

Grammy's Card

Hi ya friends,
Hope you have recouped a bit from the holiday blitz in time for the New Year's one coming up :)  I must have been a reeeeeally good girl this year cuz I got lots of new toys this Christmas! Ha! Santa must have not been checking too closely ;) wink---> My fav gift was a new ipad 4! Now my Apple trifecta is complete! I have a mac computer, an iphone, & now an ipad! Yay! Annnnnd, I got the new Pendergast novel Two Graves which I'm reading on my new ipad :)

I realized I forgot to post the Christmas card I made for my grammy. I have wanted to make this card style since I first saw it & i knew she would love it.

Here's my card:

 It's a tea light easel card. The ones that I've seen twist to one side, but I wanted to make a forward facing one with room for a small addition of the poem "Twas the Night before Christmas" heat embossed in gold at the top.

Here it is lit: (sorry for the weird lighting :(

A closer peek:

As you can see from this shot, I layered the poinsettia 3 times to make it dimensional. I added glitter to the flame & the melted wax part. i thought the candle image was *perfect* for this card style. Oh! This beauty is called Holiday Poinsettia Candle from Heartfelt Creations. I luuuv the stamps  and coordinating dies in this collection! Just so preeeeetty!

Ack! I can't believe how this week just flew by! That means my vacation is half over & I still have so much I want to do :( Ah well, better make the most of next week!

Thanks so much for peeking today.
Hope you have a couple of lovely crafternoons this weekend!
Gotta Go!

Patti's Poinsettias

Hi again friends,
Hope you are enjoying the holiday season & not letting the mayhem & foolishness stress you out.
Today, I've got a card inspired by my blog pal extraordinaire, Patti Lee. Not too long ago, she posted this BEAUTIFUL poinsettia tri-fold shutter card she created using the SCAL program to cut SVG files. I luuuuv making tri-fold shutter cards & had to make my own version. I also have the SCAL 2 on my computer, but I've never used it! Aaack, I know!!! But it won't be long let me tell ya, cuz Patti is killing me with all the AMAZING projects she's made with the SCAL using SVG files!
Here's my humble version inspired by the super talented Patti.

Here it is closed:

 I used the Layered Poinsettias stamp & dies from Heartfelt Creations...again ... for the 547th time ;)... (at least I got my money's worth for once!)

 Here it is opened:

The papers are BasicGrey. I also used the Petals-a-Plenty Embossing folder from SU.

Another peek:

I do luuuuv this card style. It looks complicated, but it's easy & it definitely gives a wow factor.

You can find the tute for this card style---> Here.
And if you've never stopped by my friend Patti's blog at Creations by Patti, first grab a super Venti cup of coffee cuz you'll be there for a while! Don't say I didn't warn ya! Hee Hee!

Stop the Madness! I went to Patti's blog to link it to this post & I saw she's referenced me in her project today! Wow! That was totally a coincidence! I guess great minds do think alike ;) Ha! Ha!

Thanks so much for peeking!
Gotta Go!

Christmas Center Step Card

Hi ya friends,
Sorry I have been away from the blogosphere lately :( I had the heinous flu & was in bed for 3 days :( Dang, & I had so many cards to make. Well, today I felt well enough to get up (although not 100% yet), cuz I had to get going on my Christmas cards. I don't know about you, but if I send ANY of my family or friends store bought cards,  I get an all-expense paid GUILT trip! And if I send them a card with a simple stamped image & sentiment (one layer) they think I don't love them :( ugh... I just can't win. Anyhoo, I have one card I cranked out today. I mean cranked out because it took me less time to make this one than the CAS (Clean & Simple) card pack I made for my son's teacher. (Well, you'll see her gift once I'm all done with it :)
Here's my card:

Does it look like a hot mess??? Too much? Well, I wanted to try a card type I've never made before so I went with the Center Step card. It's pretty simple & fun to make :)

Here's a side peek:

I used the Book Frame 1 stamp set from Heartfelt Creations along with the coordinating die. The swirls are from the Bella Rose die collection from HC as well as the Layered Poinsettia dies. The sentiment is stamped on Fancy Tags 2 die collection from Spellbinders.

Although there's lots going on, it does close down flat:

This Center Step card is an A2 size... well WAS an A2 size before I swirled it up! Hee Hee! You can find the tute for this card style---> Here.

Thanks so much for peeking today!
Off to craft some more :)

For the Boss

Hi friends,
"It's the most wonderful time of the year!" That song is playing in my head cuz today marks the beginning of winter break! Yaaaaaaaay!!!
Today, I have a card I made for our AP (Assistant Principal). He's new to our school this year & he's responsible for my formal evaluations so I need to be veeeeeery nice to him :)
Here's the card:

Since this was for a man, i had to keep the froo-frooness down to a minimum. I used my Cricut to cut out the wreath (Christmas cart). I stamped the poinsettias in versamark & embossed them in gold. Then I cut them out with the coordinating layered poinsettia dies. The centers are some foil stickers I've had forever. Lastly, the banner is from the banner dies from Spellbinders. I hope he likes it!

So have you finished your holiday shopping? Holiday cards? I can check the "no" boxes on both! Ugh, I will lock myself in my craft room & get working. This is where CAS (Clean & Simple) cards would come in handy. What's the antidote to Kryptonite???

Thanks so much for peeking!
Have loads of lovely crafternoons :)

Potted Poinsettias

Hello Crafty friends,
It's been a while since my last post :( It's been busy behind the scenes getting the house ready & decorated- yes, barely and the general school crazyness!
My Grammy asked me to make some Christmas cards for her & she needed them in a week to be able to send them out on time. She said just to make some "simple cards". Ummm, has Grammy not taken a look at my cards?! Simple is my Kryptonite... ah well. I was making my rounds about town when I noticed all the potted poinsettias & then it hit me! So off to my craft lab I went to get started on those cards :)

Here's the first:

What's easier than the flower pot card! These were super popular a while back & they were all over the web cuz they're easy & super cute :)

Here's the second:

I used gold cardstock to look like the gold wrap on the real poinsettias I saw. I used the MS embossed zig zag border punch along the edge. The Poinsettias are the Layered Poinsettias dies from Heartfelt Creations.

Here are the inserts:

When sending these type of cards I like to include a stand or easel of some sort. So when I saw an easel die by T!m Holtz that would fit A2 cards, I had to grab it!

Here's the one I use to photograph my cards- you can see the removable adhesive to secure the cards. (But adhesive isn't really necessary.)

I include an easel along with the card in case the recipient would like to stand the card. It is gold cardstock to match the card base.

OK, so this is MY version of simple and you know what?--- these flower pot cards really are simple :)
You can find the tute for this card ---> HERE.

Thanks for peeking!

Spoon & Fork Included

Hi ya friends,
I'm afraid the flu bug bit me & I've been under the weather & under the covers :( but thankfully I did have a chance to make a few cards before I went down. Today's card uses a couple of things I picked up from Heartfelt Creations. It is the invitation I created for those who are attending Thanksgiving at my house this year.
Here it is:

 I only made 2 Hee! Hee! This year, the family is headed up north for Thanksgiving. My oldest son has basketball tournaments so I'm staying behind with him. So our only invitees are my brother & grammy :)

 Here's a peek from the side:

Those are appetizer spoons & forks I found a while back at Ralphs (in the aisle where they have plastic ware & plates) & I thought they were so cute!!! I bought them cuz I figured I'd use them for something crafty & it turns out, my hoarding paid off. They're miniature, silver plastic ware- perfect for my card, don't ya think?  I used the Open Falling Leaves stamp set (embossed in gold) along with the coordinating dies. The doily is PTI, the pattern papers are MME Lost & Found Sunshine, and glammed it up with my Viva Pen in gold.

Here's a peek of the innies too:
 simple...

Thanksgiving = Good eats 'round these parts. Yummy! Can't wait!

I'll be greatfully playing along in the following challenges:
The Pink Elephant: Giving Thanks
Our Creative Corner: Photo Inspiration(the golds & creams- ready to eat!)
There's Magic in the Air: Giving Thanks plus brown, Orange, Yellow
Craft your Passion: Photo Inspiration
Corrosive Challenge: Give Thanks
Card Makin Mamas: Thanks
Inspire Me Fridays: Anything Goes
Our Craft Lounge: Thankful

Thanks so much for peeking!
Here I come Nyquil...