A look back at my favorite cards from 2021. A couple of them were designs from classes I took and the others were just the ones I had fun creating (Easter card and alcohol ink flower).
Wishing you all a wonderful, happy, healthy 2022 - and a big thank you for following my blog.
For some reason I can't stop making Christmas cards - if it goes on like this I'll soon have enough for next year!! Recently bought the Hero Arts village dies and combined them with some very old paper (Target like maybe five years ago!!).
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This past week I received a beautiful new die set which I bought after seeing Greta's and LaVon's cards. Immediately pulled out the papers and other supplies and created this card for Freshly Made Sketches, Stamplorations CAS Challenge (metallic and one other color), NBUS (new die) and The Flower Challenge (Christmas).
I first blended some worn lipstick DO on a background piece - then I embossed it with a circle impression plate (my go to plate for subtle backgrounds). Die cut my floral pieces and arranged with the sentiment on an A2 card base. Had to really build up the right side of the sentiment so it wouldn't flop!
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I designed this weeks TicTacToe #142 board with the coming holidays in mind. I used down the right side with die cuts, Christmas and white and white.
I made an edge to edge shaker card - loving the look of these and so easy to make. I glued the mistletoe die cut on a 4.25"x5.5" white cs and then made the shaker part with some white and clear sequin mix plus some white glitter. Mounted this on a white card base. Die cut the "Noel" twice and attached to the front - then coated it with glossy accents for some added shine.
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Wishing all of my followers and A Blog Named Hero followers a very joyous holiday season. No challenge this month but we still wanted to have a card using our sponsor's product for your inspiration.
I am so pleased to be the guest designer for 52 Christmas Card Challenge Throwdown today. Their challenge theme is the kissing technique - I remember this from way long ago, but can't be sure if I ever tried it. Jennifer McGuire has an excellent "how-to" video though, so be sure to check it out for easy instructions.
I only had one suitable background stamp which was tiny polka dots so went with that and an open holly stamp - retired PTI stamp Spruce and Springs. Then decided to use some non-traditional colors to make my wreath.
I used two circle dies to make an open circle base for the leaves and arranged two layers. Thought dark pinkish berries went nicely with the leaf colors. Put it all together on the checked pp and little sentiment and done!
I hope to see your kissing cards in the gallery this week. Thanks for stopping by.
I think I'm kind of falling in love with these cute gnomes that Cat sent me!
Colored the gnome with copics. The background is from a SSS stamp set from last year. The tree and the sentiment are both heat embossed with clear. Had some snowflakes left over from another card so popped a few of those on too. Card is a mini slimline - 3.25"x6.25".
Am entering my card at The Paper Players where the theme is gnomes or fairies.
Thanks for stopping by today - and hope all my readers have a wonderful Thanksgiving tomorrow - I am so thankful for you.
My card today is for the Color Hues Challenge where the theme colors are silver and gold. I created a very CAS shaker card for them.
I made my ornament shaker with some silver with gold dots pp and filled it with silver and gold stars and other little bits and bobs (there really aren't any blue bits in the shaker - it's just the lighting and I couldn't get it out). Embossed a snowflake background for some added texture. Added the sentiment embossed in gold, a gold thread hanger and bow and done.
The Paper Players' theme this week is gnomes and fairies. Normally I don't ever do gnomes (or penguins, mermaids, wide-eyed children) but the gal who cuts my hair loves gnomes. So I had to make her a gnome card for Christmas and my friend, Cat, had kindly sent me a few gnome die cuts. Perfect timing for this challenge.
Add another Christmas card to your stash with Vicky's inspiration board this week on TicTacToe Challenge #140!
I made a mini slimline - 3.25"x6.25" card base and the plaid part is 3"x6". I layered up the wreath die multiple times with various colors of green cardstock, added the sentiment and some pink berries and done!
Be sure to link up your entry in our gallery by 25 November for a chance to one of our guest designers.
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Our last challenge for 2021 is to use some "glitz" on your card - of course a Christmas card is a perfect choice for some glitz!! I used a technique from Yana - ink blending over embossing.
I began by stamping the holly leaves with Versamark around the edge on a piece of kiwi cs and embossing in gold. Then I used rustic wilderness, peeled paint and black soot DO inks around the edges - when finished I used a microfiber cloth to remove the ink from the embossed gold. Die cut the sentiment in gold and three more layers of black, glued together and centered on card. The little green berries are also Hero Arts from ages ago (ya think I'm a hoarder??).
Our generous sponsor, Hero Arts, is giving away two gift cards to our winners this month - so be sure to enter by 26 November at hashtag #abnhnovemberchallenge and tag @ablognamedhero.
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A last minute entry for the Inspired By... Challenge. Their photo inspiration was two wreaths and also a sketch. I chose the rustic wreath and sketch that were perfect for another Thanksgiving card to send to a friend.
I made my own wood grain background by swiping walnut stain DO ink onto a piece of kraft cs and then adhered to a kraft card base. Die cut lots and lots of branches in various colors and arranged on an open circle base. Added the sentiment, the twine bow and done.
The challenge at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge is "thanks" and I am entering my card there also.
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Claire has a theme challenge today on The Paper Players Challenge (give thanks) - I chose the top row middle from the photo for creating my card - the falling leaves with the trees in the background.
My second card also has the falling leaves and a thanks message. I used a Hero Arts leaves stencil with white pigment ink to create the background. Die cut the leaf from some pp and adhered to a piece of vellum. Spattered it all over with white gouache, added the sentiment and done.
My last card is for The Card Concept #163 which has a beautiful photo for inspiration. The minute I saw the challenge I knew I had to use Alex Syberia's digi, Autumn Bouquet. Colored the digi with copics, added it to a black card base along with the sentiment and done.
