Happy 2016 Everyone!

Hey All!  I know that it's been a while since I've been on here.  It's very tough with the hustle and the bustle of the holiday season to get on here with everything else that was going on. In addition to that I have been struggling with Strep throat as well as carpaltunnel in my hand, making it difficult to cards make from time to time.  I am not currently able to sit and make multiple cards at once, and I'm very lucky to make one entire card in one sitting, but I will continue to battle through this too...

  I hope that each and every one of you had a fantastic holiday season and that you got to spend some time with your family and friends creating the most incredible memories as well as enjoying the beautiful magic that Christmas brings with it.  I think it has to be one of the most incredible times of the year, to sit back and watch the magic in the kids eyes (my boyfriend's nieces and nephews and my godson and his brother).  The magic of the season in their eyes is so contageous and makes it such a beautiful time of year.  The decoration and lights just have me in awe.  The time spent with family either telling stories, laughing and creating memories and even baking with my mom is something that is so wonderful, and it wouldnt be the same without it.  Going for a stroll hand in hand through old town Niagara on the Lake with my man while doing a little bit of Christmas Shopping with warm drinks is something else that helps to create the season for me. 

While I know that this season is a beautiful one for me, I understand and acknowlege that it isn't the easiest and in some cases is a very difficult and painful season for so many others.  In all honesty my prayers and thoughts have been with so many who find the holiday season difficult and I pray that they can find even just a glimmer of hope throught it all, whether it be a smile or a kind gesture of a stranger or someone who goes out of their way for them to make the season just a little bit easier, I pray that they were able to find a little piece of beauty through that.

As for 2016 I hope that you all had a fantastic New Years and that 2016 holds only the most amazing things for each and every one of you.  This year was the first time in my life that I didnt set any personal Resolutions.  I have found in past years that I was setting Resolutions that were often very hard to accomplish and I would put a ton of stress on myself trying to accomplish them when the stress wasn't necessary.  This year I decided instead that I would create crafty resolutions for myself. 

I decided that this year I would start my year with a big overhaul and tidy of my scrapbooking / card making "nook".  Last year over Christmas I got a couple storage units that I started using for my supplies, but this year I decided that I was going to get myself a decent storage unit that I would have for years to come.  I am so lucky that I have a man that LOVES me as much as he does and whom is so handy to have around.  He worked very hard to build my storage unit and put it together so that I have a spot to store all my supplies (and it looks amazing too!)  I have been spending alot of time going through things, and sorting and organizing.  I am so thrilled with the way that it has come along, and wanted to share it with you guys (my crafting family).  

Check out these photos of my scrap nook project.

***THEY WILL BE POSTED SHORTLY***

I have used many organizational tools and methods of some well known Cardmakers and am thrilled with the way that their methods work for me and how much they make my life so much easier.  I use the Birthday Box method that Jennifer McGuire uses, as well as the same method for my stamp storage that she uses in addition to her ink swatches.  I love how these things make my life so much easier. 

Another crafty Resolution of mine is to make a very solid attempt of competing in a minimum of one challenge a week, and doing my best to post/blog my cards on a weekly basis to share with all of you!

I cannot wait for what 2016 has in store for me.  I look forward to playing along with challenges and getting on here more.  I love the continual feedback, and hope that you all continue to let me know what you think of the ideas and cards that I post. 

See you all soon!

Christmas Card Challenges #6 and ABC Christmas Card Challenges "A"

Hi Again!  I know that I missed posting the first week of January but I am making up for it now in posting 3 times this week as well as creating 2 cards to enter for 2 challenges.  I had said as one of my crafty resolutions that I wanted to post atleast once a week if possible.  I know that that isnt always ideal or reasonable as life sometimes gets in your way and prevents it, but Im going to do my very best.  The first week of January I have spent battling Strep Throat so I am trying to get back into the swing of things and make up for the one I missed this first week.  

Christmas Card Challenge #6 this week is:

 

and

ABC Christmas Challenge this week is:

'A is for Anything Goes'

(Just don't forget the Christmas theme!)

I know that you may or may not have seen my other post, but I did create a card to enter these 2 challenges already, but I was on a roll so decided that I was going to create a second card for each of these challenges and enter them.  Im really trying to build a stock of cards for this coming Christmas so I might as well get started early.

This card started as me trying to use up some of my scraps (I have a ton of extra snowflakes in my scrap box) so this card started out with some white snowflakes and then me deciding to make my own background with some distress inks, and it came together so perfectly.
I absolutely love this card and the way that it turned out and it was so easy to put together it might end up being something I can mass produce and it could possibly become my card for next Christmas that I hand out to most people.  Only time will tell...

Here's part of my card...

Here's another look at another part of my card...

Here's a look at the side view of my card...

and last but certainly not least...

Here's the front view of my card...

Supplies Used

Paper Trimmer - Used to cut the card base and the background paper

White Paper - used for the card base

Water Colour Paper - used to create the background on

Shimmer Cardstock - used to cut all the snowflakes out of

Scissors - used to cut the string behind the snowflake

Double Sided Adhesive - Used to attach the background to the card base

Ranger Multi Medium Matte - used to adhere the snowflakes to the background

Precision tips - used for really precise placement of glue on the snowflakes

Cuttle Bug - used to die cut snowflakes

MFT Snowflake Dies - used to cut out the largest snowflake

Paper Smooches Dies - Used to cut out the little snowflakes

Heat Tool - used to dry the inks in between water droplets

Distress Inks - used to create the background

Distress Ink Blending tools - Used to blend the ink pad colours together to create background

Shimmer Mist - Used to add shimmer to the background

Silver Thread - used behind the snowflakes to add a touch of metallic to the card

Water - from your own tap and with your hand

Klennex - used to soak up the water droplets

I was unfortunately not able to find a source for the "Merry Christmas" Wording however it is a sticker, and I was also not able to find a source for the Gems that I used for the centres of the snowflakes - any gems would work fine for recreation of this card.

ABC Christmas Challenge "A" and Christmas Card Challenges #6

Hey Everyone!  I hope that you all caught my first post for the year with my Christmas wishes as well as my New Year wishes.  If you missed that post please stop by to see that post. 

One of my crafty Resolutions is to get my stash of Christmas cards built early and so that I have lots of them to pass out to my friends and family.  I am going to be working at making 2 cards a week, and 3 - 5 cards of each design to help myself build a large stash for Christmas of 2016

So I thought that I would get to it, and hit the ground running, and wanted to share with you a card that I made for these 2 challenges. 

ABC Christmas Card Challenge is on the Letter "A" for Anything goes.

and

Christmas Card Challenges #6

When I saw the challenges today I knew that I had lots of stamps that could work for this. I visited my scrap box... {which really is a box that extra die cut things get tossed into, ideas that dont make it to a completed card are in there too, stamped images that are/aren't coloured are in there too waiting to find their way to a card}... and found an image that was previously coloured in there that had a little blue bird and a snowman and I just couldnt help but ensure that it made it to a card.

Those of you who follow my blog know that I generally colour my images to match my papers, but in this case I had to do it opposite which was easier than I thought it was going to be. I had a ton of scrap pattern paper that were in the pile and I was able to use some papers that have been used previously which was fun instead of cutting into a new piece of paper. Yay for using up Scraps!

Here's the front of the card...

Here's the side view of the card...

Here's the coloured image that was used for the card...

Supplies Used

Fiskars Paper Trimmer - used to cut card base and pattern papers

Tim Holtz Scissors - used to cut 2 sided adhesive and ribbon

MFT Black Licorice Ink - used to stamp the image as well as the sentiment

2 sided Adhesive - used to attach papers to card base.

Ranger Matte Medium - used to attach the snowflakes to the card

Foam Tape - used to attach the sentiment and give it some dimension

Bakers Twine (Red and White) - used for tieing around the card and creating a ribbon with

Gelly Roll Pens - used to colour and add shimmer to the image

Sentiment Stamp - Recollection Set - Only able to locate it on Ebay (sorry!)

Snowman Stamp - Bird Snowman (Class Act Inc.) 

White Cardstock - Card Base as well as Paper that Image is stamped onto

Cuttle Bug Machine - used with dies to cut out the snowflakes for the card

Snowflake Dies - used to cut the snowflakes (white)

Snowflake Dies - used to cut the red snowflake (red)

Gems - used on the snowflakes to add some shimmer (exact source couldnt be found so I linked to something similar which would work too)

The pattern paper is from a retired Recollection Paperpack so unfortunately I wasnt able to locate a source.

Cupcake Inspiration #337 - Christmas Card

Hi again.  I told you that I would be back sooner than you know.   It's been a long time since I've taken part in a Cupcake Inspiration Challenge.  Here's the challenge that I took part in...



When I looked though this one was so cute, and I couldnt help but play along.  I wanted to do a card for a birthday, however with Christmas so close and around the corner I thought that my time would be better spent making a card for Christmas with bears on them.  When I was flipping through my stamp catalogue (my book with all of my stamps shown in it) I found a couple stamps that would work for this card and I found a couple stamps that worked, but finally settled on this stamp.  If I have time I might make a second card with one of the other stamps to enter in this challenge, but I am not sure how likely that will be.

I would love to hear what your best practices are for card making for holidays.  I would love hearing how you build a stash of various cards for the holiday or various designs.  How do you stock them so that you arent scrambling last minute to get them done for everyone on your list.  Any help or feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Getting back on track.....

Here's the front of the card...

Here's the side of the card...

Here's the image I used on the card...

Supplies Used

 Paper Trimmer - used to cut the card base and various layers of the card
Bone Folder - used to fold and crease the side of the card base
Tim Holtz Scissors - used to cut the ribbon on the card
EK Success Tweezers - used to position and place the sprinkles, and help tie the bow on the card
Stamp Press - used to attach the image stamp to which aids with stamping it on the paper
Double Sided Tape - used to adhere the image and the frame onto the card front
Foam Adhesive - used to add dimension to the sentiment for this card
Promarkers - used to colour the image with
MFT Ink  - used to stamp the wording and the sentiment in
Heartfelt Creations - Bear-y Winter Stamp Set -  used one of the images for the image on this card
Recollection Holiday Greetings - used for the sentiment on this card
Cuttlebug Machine - used with the dies and the embossing folder to create the background and the frames on this card
Large Cuttlebug Snowflake Embossing Folder - used to pinch and crease the background with the snowflakes. (cannot find a link for this embossing folder)
Labels Fourteen Die - used to cut out the frame for the main image and the sentiment and sentiment mat
Offray Red Ribbon - used for the bow and ribbon on the card
Doodlebug Sprinkles - used to add red, green and white embellishments to the front of the card
Stickles - Icicles - used to add shimmer to the card, and different parts of the gifts.
Copic Paper - used to stamp the main image onto
White Cardstock - used for the card base and to stamp the wording to.
Green Shimmer Paper - used for the background of this card
Red Cardstock - used to mat the sentiment with

Happy birthday card...changing it up.

Hey everyone, it seems like lately I am on a roll.  

1st post this week and I don't think it will be my last either :)

I decided to take a little break from Christmas cards to make a birthday card for my boyfriends niece.

I thought it would be fun to play along with a challenge for this card too.  

I have never played along with Seize the Birthday and this week their challenge is to create a card using vellum and acetate. 

I started with playing around with some distress inks and I create a background using some of her favourite colours.  From there I put water droplets onto the paper to give it a cool look and then I added the sentiment and the embellishments.  It basically created itself once I had made the paper.  I love how it turned out and my boyfriend says, "probably my favourite one yet."  I really hope that she loves it too.

I had fun making this card and taking a break from Christmas cards but I am looking forward to getting back to Christmas cards. 

Here's the paper that I made and where the card started from....

Here's the front of my card...

Here's the side of my card...

Here's the sentiment and the focal point on my card...

Supplies used

Seedless preserves distress ink - used to make the background

Peacock feathers distress ink - used to make the background 

Salty ocean distress ink - used to make the background 

Ink blending tool - used to make background

Water - to create little water droplets

MFT sheer shimmer (mixables) - use to add shimmer to background

White card stock - used for card base and background paper.
Shimmer paper - scraps used for stars from stash (no source)
MFT stacking stars die - used to cut out stars
Cuttlebug matchine - machine used with the dies to cut shapes.
EK success powder tool - used to take away static so powder only sticks where ink is
Versa Mark embossing ink- used to stamp sentiment in
Hero arts white embossing powder - used to emboss sentiment with
Heat tool - used to melt the embossing powder
Hampton art - "dreams come true" - stamp used for sentiment (not able to find source)
Mono multi glue - used to attach the sentiment and stars to the front of the card
2 sided tape - used to attach the background to the card base.
Foam adhesive dots- used to raise some of the stars and add dimension to the card
Tim holtz scissors - used to cut paper
Pick me up tool - used to move and position the stars on the front of the card.
EK success tools - tweezers used to position the stars onto the page
Fiskars Paper Trimmer - used to cut the background and the card base

Mojo Monday 424 Challenge

Hey everyone, I know that it's been a while since I've been on here but I thought it was time to get back at it.  With the colder weather creeping up on us it's a great time to get comfortable with my scrap nook and let the creative juices flow.  I have a lot of Christmas cards cards to do over the next couple weeks and I'm kicking it into high gear, while playing along with a couple amazing challenges.  

For this card I played along with Mojo Monday's Sketch Challenge 424. 

At first I struggled with the sketch but it's called a challenge because I think it's supposed to actually challenge you!  

Mission accepted and mission accomplished!

Here is the challenge...

Fun right!  I turned the sketch and created a card with this lay out just on it's side.  I know I had a blast and am thrilled with how my card turned out.  Last week I had every intention of playing along with merry Monday's challenge of white, pink and green.  I had coloured an image and it ended up in my scrap box as I ran out of time to get it onto a card and entered but this little guy or gal needed to make its way onto the card so this was a perfect opportunity. 

I will also mention that the colours for this card are my FAVOURITES, and I am so happy to design a Christmas card that is done in non-traditional colours. 

Here's the front of the card....

Here's the side view of the card....

Here's the image itself...

This little Penguin is just simply the cutest.  I had a blast playing along and cannot wait to see what next weeks challenge is.  I will be back in a couple days with more Christmas Cards for you all.

I am working on linking to supplies used, so please bear with me...this process takes longer than you know.

Supplies Used

Fiskar Paper Trimmer - used to cut the background paper as well as the card base

Letraset Promarkers - used to colour the image in with
Letraset Ultra Fine Nibs - used to get more percise colouring.

Copic 92lb Cardstock - used to colour the image on
White Cardstock - Used for the card base as well as to stamp the wording onto
Pattern Paper - Recollections Winter Woodland Paper (not able to find source)
Solid Coloured Paper - scraps however you could use any colours or style paper for this

Acrylic Block - used to stamp the sentiment and the penguin

MFT Black Licorice Ink - used to stamp the image and sentiment with

Penguin Pressie - main image used for the card

Merry Christmas (wording) - CC Designs - Amy R stamps used as the sentiment for card (Retired Product so no source available sorry)

Cuttle Bug Machine - die cut machine used to cut the shapes

MFT Pierced Rectangle Die - used to cut out image and the mat for the penguin image

MFT Pierced Circle Die - used to cut out sentiment and mat for sentiment.

2 Sided Adhesive - used to attach everything to card base

Mono-Multi Adhesive - used to attach snowflakes to card
Quickie Glue - used to attach the loose glitter

Offray Ribbon (Kiwi) - used for ribbon and bow on the card

Snowflake Boarder Punch - used to punch the snowflake boarders and pieces used as snowflakes on the card.

Gems - used in the centers of the snowflakes to add some shine.

Ultra Fine Loose Glitter - used ontop of the image to add shimmer

Christmas Cards All Year Round

I'm back!  I've been busy making cards and am back with another card that I made for a challenge that I got to play along with.  This week I stumbled across a challenge that I have never played along with before over at Christmas Cards All Year Round.  

Here is the challenge for November:

"Ok on to this month's challenge. The theme is Oh Christmas tree - simply create a card that has a tree as the feature."

When I first noticed the challenge I couldn't wait to get started I had a stamp that I knew would work perfectly for this challenge and was so excited to play.  I have used the stamp previously and you will probably see it in one of my earlier posts, but I just couldnt resist using it again.  Usually I pick my papers first and then colour my image for it however I did it opposite this time and it made it a little more challenging, but hey I was up for a challenge.

I created 4 of these cards so that I could stock some of them, and could give some to friends who have asked me to make christmas cards for them to give out.

Here's the front of the card....

Here's the side view of the card....

Here's the image used on the card....

Isn't she cute!  I love this Stamping Bella Image!!!
Thanks for stopping by, I'll be back in a little bit with a couple more adorable Christmas Cards!
Have a wonderful weekend!

Supplies Used

Fiskar Paper Trimmer - used to cut the card base, and background layers
Fiskar Stamp Press - used to stamp the main image with
Tim Holtz Scissors - used to cut the 2 sided adhesive tape
2 Sided Adhesive Tape - used to adhere all pieces together
Mono Multi - liquide adhesive to attach circles together.
Stamping Bella Uptown Girl - used as the main image on this card
Sentiment - CC Designs - Amy R Christmas Verses II (retired - no link available sorry)
Cuttle Bug Machine - used with the die cuts to cut/emboss shapes
MFT Torn Album Notebook Die - used to cut the main image onto
MFT Fishtail Flag Die - used to cut the snowflake paper into a flag
Nellies Dies - used to diecut the sentiment and the mat for the sentiment.
Acrylic Block - used to stamp the sentiment onto the card
MFT Black Licorice Ink - used to stamp the image and sentiment in
Zig Clean Brush - used to colour the image
Tim Holtz Watercolour brush - used to blend the inks (Zig) for the image
White Cardstock - used to stamp the sentiment on and for the card base
Watercolour Paper - used for the main image
Pattern Paper - used for the background layers and flag.
Icing Stickles - used to put shimmer on various parts of the card.
Gems - to dazzle up the card (not exact location however have linked to similar source)