MERRY MONDAY RED & GOLD

The challenge this week on Merry Monday is to use red and gold on a Christmas card and I'm delighted to be their guest designer.  

I embossed my new Spruce and Sprigs stamps in gold and also for the gold embossing on the Mondo Poinsettia (HA gold). Colored it with Distress marker (fired brick) and Zig brush marker (carmine).  Little yellow seed beads are in the middle of the flower.  The background scribble paper is from PTI. 

Check out the challenge this week from Merry Monday - it's a great way to get your holiday cards done ahead of time.  

Thanks for stopping by and love to read all your comments.  Betty

SHAKER TREE

Yesterday while I was practicing with different inks on my HA layered Christmas tree, I made several watercolored ones (same method as yesterday's card).  So decided to make one into a shaker card.

Used PTI soft stone for the base and added some MS glittery stuff in the shaker.  Difficult to photograph, but some of the glitter stuck to the tree and it's really pretty in real life.  The frame is from MFT.  Will enter this also in the Merry Monday "frame it" challenge for this week.  

Thanks for visiting today and love reading your kind comments.  Betty 

FRAMED

New stamps, new challenge from Merry Monday - I had a fun time creating the last few days.  

The theme this week at MM is "frame it" and I used MFT's stitched rectangle frame on both cards.  On my first card I layered the HA tree with various distress inks and using an aqua brush blended the colors.  When it was dry, used the cool grey Zig brush and some water to blend out a little shadowing.  The peace sentiment is from Julie Ebersole's Cozy Christmas (cut the stamp apart).  Little gold star on top - done.

My second card uses PTI new set Spruce and Sprigs.  Stamped the various leaves and sprigs in shades of green on a single layer 5.5 x 4.25 card - then cut out the frame - layered it back together on the card base - added the little HA red gems and the joy die cut - done.  Am also entering this card in Paper Players "leaves" challenge.

Can't decide which one I like better - both were fun to make although the second one was more of challenge (getting the stamps layered the way I wanted).

With the leaves and berries and colors fitting PTI's October Blog Hop, it also works for that challenge.

Thanks for stopping by today and love reading your kind comments.  Betty 

OCTOBER CCC

This is the first card I created using my purple watercolored leaves - made for Agata in Switzerland for Deb's October card chain challenge.

I used all three of the criteria - sketch, colors and theme (Thanksgiving).  I also cut out more leaves and sent them along with some coordinating sequins.  I'm lazy today and not linking all the supplies.

All for now - thanks for stopping by.  Betty

FRESH FREESIA

A new stamp set was added to my collection this week and had to try some watercoloring.  

Stamped and embossed four cards - some on watercolor paper and some on Bristol.  This one is my favorite - Zig Clean Brush markers on Bristol.  The flower and sentiment are from Altenew's Fresh Freesia set.  I am entering in their Windsor Castle challenge.

Thanks for visiting today and your kind comments.  Betty

SPOOKY GHOST

A few weeks ago my friend, Cat, and I traded some Halloween die cuts.  I sent her some spiders and webs and she sent the cute ghost and the spooky sentiment.  I think they are both Lil' Inkers designs. 

Both cards are really so quick and simple - I might just have to buy those dies for next year's cards.  Cat had cut the "spooky" from black fun foam so just arranged them on the HA black layering card, added various shades of orangey sequins for eyes and done.  For my glam ghost I put some gold metallic paper in back of the eyes, added the sentiment and a big gold bow  - so fun and easy - one of granddaughters will get this one I think!

All for today - thanks for stopping by.  Betty 

PINK LEAVES

A Blog Named Hero has a challenge to use kraft, white and a touch of color.  

I cut the leaves from a piece of watercolored paper and popped them up on the woodland background. Created the background by brayering HA unicorn white ink on the embossing folder before running thru my CB.  It didn't come out as white as I wanted, but is actually quite nice and subtle.  Added the sentiment on HA black layering paper and a few sequins - done and dusted!  I am also entering this in A2Z Scrapbooking October challenge.

By the way, the leaves from my Japanese maple tree in my front yard actually do have a pinkish tinge when they change in the fall.

Thanks for stopping by and your kind comments.  Betty 

PUMPKIN NEUTRALS

Had a small piece of watercolored paper left over from my previous card for The Card Concept challenge so die cut some pumpkins.  My layout was totally inspired by Marybeth's card she posted today for Poppystamps.  Doing a "slanty" look is not my usual comfort zone but really liked it on Marybeth's card, so decided to give it a try.

The pumpkins are from PTI, the embossing folder is TH Alterations and the sentiment is Clearly Besotted.  I am entering this in the clean and layered category.

Thanks for visiting today and as always, love your kind comments.  Betty

AUTUMN NEUTRALS

The current challenge at The Card Concept is autumn neutrals - a wonderful inspiration photo done in grays, browns and white.  My card is in the clean and layered category and I was inspired by the colors and autumn theme.

 

I watercolored a sheet of Canson paper with Kurtake Gamsai so that I had a piece in the challenge colors and finally spattered on some of the white metallic.  Then die cut the Cheery Lynn leaves.  The base is PTI soft stone with the white and a thin strip of silver popped up.  Arranged the leaves, added the sentiment and some sequins.  

Thanks for stopping by and your kind comments.  Betty

COTTAGE LEAF

Memory Box has a challenge to use black and white and I needed a "thinking of you" card.  

I cut a black and a white leaf, cut off the black leaves on one side and then glued it onto the white.  Went around the edges of the black with a black pen and only glued it all down on the stem part so the leaves would pop up.  Stamped the sentiment in black and embossed with clear powder to make it kind of shiny.  Rounded corners and done!  I think the cottage leaf is discontinued but did find it on eBay and other sites. It took me longer to figure what I was going to design than to actually make the card!!

Thanks for stopping by.  Betty 

LITTLE HOUSES

Made this card for the sketch challenge at Happy Little Stampers this month.  Also plan on sending this on for Jennifer McGuire's and Vera Yates' Caring Hearts Card Drive.

 

The sky piece was cut from a watercolored scrap and framed with a MFT stitched circle.  The little houses, trees, stars and sentiment are from EH Cozy Christmas.

Thanks for stopping by and love your kind comments.  Betty