MERRY MONDAY PLAID

It only took me all week to think of an idea for a Christmas card with plaid for Merry Monday.  Thought there must be some plaid paper somewhere in my stash and found this cute green stuff from Authentique that was ages old.  So cut it out with my stocking die, stitched it with some red floss, stamped on the sentiment and finally put a backing on it so it could be a gift card holder - used strong tape on the edges to hold it together and left the top open.  Added a bow and done!

Just getting this in under the wire.  I know the sentiment is crooked - was in too much of a hurry to finish:-( 

Thanks for stopping by and all your kind comments.  Betty

PEONIES

The Fusion Challenge this week has a gorgeous photo, beautiful colors and a great sketch for their second anniversary.

For my card I colored Alternew's Peony Scrolls with pink and yellow Zig watercolor markers and then blended with WOS clear shimmer - I didn't clean the brush and so the two colors blended into kind of a orangey color.  For the background I "quilt embossed" with the PTI chevron coverplate.  The yellow/white paper behind the flowers is just a scrap from my stash of patterned paper. The sandwich I used on my Cuttlebug to dry emboss was A, B, tan mat, cardstock, coverplate/die face down, B.

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

A BLOG NAMED HERO

Today is my first post as designer for A Blog Named Hero.  When I received My Monthly Hero Kit the other day, Hero Arts included two stamps from their new 2016 catalog - so just HAD to use one of them!  This is the first of their kits I have ordered and was so impressed - 2 day delivery, great packaging - wrapped in clear plastic wrap tied with red ribbon and a little red heart.  Can't wait to start making those valentines!

A little peek at my card - hop over and check out my post.

Thanks for visiting today and really love to read your kind comments.  Betty 

HERO ARTS 90 MINUTE SCRAMBLE

Janet is hosting a 24 hour scramble over at the Hero Arts discussion group here - it's open until 2 pm CST today - use her theme and time yourself to make a card and post it in 90 minutes.  Here's the card I created in about 45 minutes.

The theme is a play on the year 2016 - 2 colors, 0 die cuts, 1 stamp and 6 embellishments.  I used distress peacock feathers and peeled paint for the colors, no die cut, 1 stamp from HA Stamp Your Own Plant and 6 clear sequins.  After masking off the front of the card I just sponged on the color and spattered with water for a little added interest - quick and easy.

Thanks for visiting and your kind comments.  Betty

MERRY

First card of the year for Merry Monday where the theme is "white on white".  Also had Ellen Hutson's challenge in mind as their theme is "mix it up" with EH and MFT.

The frame die is from MFT and the pine boughs and sentiment are from EH.  Embossed the pine boughs with HA silver and the sequins are from Lucy Abrams.  I used my Fuse tool to make the pocket for the sequins.

Thanks for visiting today - love reading your kind comments!  Betty

FAVORITES OF 2015

Happy 2016 - a little late.  I was visiting my son and family in London for three weeks over Christmas and got home late Monday night - have been pretty much useless since with jet lag - wake up at 3 am and can't go back to sleep, hungry at weird times of the day - body clock is 6 hours off and they say it takes one day for every hour off - this morning I slept until 5:30 - so tomorrow hopefully I'll be back to normal!

2016 is the beginning of my third year of blogging and so am doing a simple post today of my favorite cards from 2015.

Looking forward to another year of creating - have my first post for A Blog Named Hero design team on 13 January, am hosting the Hero Arts discussion group 90 minute scramble on 6 February and have to get going on those valentines since I didn't get around to sending Christmas cards before I left in December!!

Many blessings to you all in the coming year - I so appreciate all the kind comments.  Hugs,  Betty 

BIG NEWS!!

Way back in November, A Blog Named Hero had a call for new design team members - so on a lark, I sent in an application never expecting I would be one of the "chosen"!!  A few weeks ago I received the good news that I would be one of their new DT members.

Linda Trace who coordinates all the emails, asked for a "hello" card.  Stamped the HA butterfly in versamark and embossed with HA gold.  Then die cut the butterfly, positioned the stamped butterfly on the card base, added a piece of acetate, foam tape and some sequins and made a shaker card.  Spattered the background with some gold metallic watercolor, added the little "hello" sentiment and few more sequins - done and dusted. 

Am looking forward to 2016 and designing cards for ABNH and also for all the fun challenges out there in blogland.

Check out the ABNH post for an intro to all the new DT members.  

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

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YOU PROBABLY NEVER...

thought you'd see the day with a card from me with penguins on it!!  Last summer I met Linda Wetterlin for lunch and mentioned I could never do a cutsey card with little animals, big eyed children, mermaids or anything else like that.   And I think mentioned penguins in my list of stuff.  Shortly afterwards, a nice little packet of penguins came in the mail!!  Can't imagine who sent them???  So I HAD to make a card for Linda just to prove myself wrong - and I actually had a fun time making this card for her - I may have to eat my words.

 

The penguins, sentiment and snowflakes are from HA and the little trees and hearts are from Ellen Hutson.  The snowflakes were embossed with HA white embossing powder (the best there is!).   I put some glossy accents on the little hearts and embossed the sentiment with clear HA powder.  I hand cut the white snowbanks and added some WOS for some sparkle.  Little gold stars and clear sequins from my stash.

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

NEEDED A FEW MORE...

Christmas cards - and this design fit the bill for mass producing about six cards.  Die cut the ornament (stick-it on the back of the metallic cardstock) in both gold and silver.  Then adhered the outlines on the card base and used the opposite colors to fill in the bits and bobs.  Stamped the sentiment with black HA ink twice (used my MISTI) and sprinkled with clear HA powder and heat embossed.  Added the "merry" and the sprigs of pine with sequins and done and dusted.

Am entering this in Happy LIttle Stampers "favorite technique" challenge for December - love die cutting.

Probably last card I will make this year (altho I have two special posts scheduled for the next few weeks) as I'm off to London on Tuesday to spend Christmas my family there.  Wishing you all a very merry and a wonderful 2016.  Hugs, Betty 

A SNOWFLAKE IS...

Color Throwdown and Time Out Challenges are combined in today's card.  The colors (black, gold, white) are from Color Throwdown and the theme is from Time Out (same as the sentiment).

I die cut the snowflakes from Neenah gold metallic and vellum adding the gold glitter enamel dot to the center.  The black and gold paper on the bottom is from MME Fancy That.  The sentiment is a HA clear stamp which I stamped in HA black ink (used my MISTI to get it nice and black) and then embossed with HA clear powder.  The base of the card is Neenah white gold card.

Thanks for visiting today and your kind comments.  Betty

SILVER BIRD

After all the stitching of the past two weeks, a card was finally produced for a couple of challenges.  Fusion Challenge is all about color and a sketch which I rather loosely used and Merry Monday needed a bird.  Virginia's last challenge is to use glitter altho you can't see it in the picture.

 

The background was stamped with PTI Meadow Greens and embossed with white HA emobssing powder and then watercolored.  Then I die cut out the MFT frame and put it all back together on a card base.  Die cutting an embossed piece is not the best idea since the embossing comes off in the die and it's a pain to clean out - also some of the design is lost.  Since it wasn't noticeable for this card that didn't matter tho. The bird and branch are from Memory Box (no longer available) - cut from some silver metallic paper with WOS silver on top to give it some more shine (which doesn't show up very well in the photo).  A few sequins for sparkle and done.

All for today - thanks for stopping by and love to read your kind comments.  Betty

WHAT I'VE BEEN DOING...

instead of making cards!!  Two weeks ago I had lunch with a long-time friend and she brought along a pink bootie ornament I had made for her daughter in 1986!!  Needless to say, I didn't even remember doing that, but it was back in my counted cross-stitch days.  Well, Claire is now married and having her first baby (who may well have arrived by now as she went into the hospital yesterday).  Anyway, Meredith wanted me to make a bootie ornament for Madeleine and also for Claire's husband, Greg.  I told her I would see if I still had the pattern (I did - never throw anything away - you might need it 30 years later!!).  It was a challenge tho as I didn't have all of the pattern pieces, but was able to figure it out.  I used pieces of an old quilt to make the new ones and besides the pattern had lots of aida cloth for the stitching.

Meredith picked them last nite and hope by now she is a proud grandma - she was delighted to have them by the time of Madeleine's birth.

Next project was felt ornaments from Memory Box's stocking die.  I have grown grandchildren and usually give them money or a gift card for Christmas.  So made these cute felt ornaments.  

 

Made them in two layers and left the top open so the gift can be tucked inside.  The picture on the die package shows them sewn with a running stitch, but I didn't do that and think they look just fine.  Very quick to die cut and put together - especially since I had lots of felt and embroidery floss in my stash of crafting stuff!!  Actually made 4 stockings but couldn't get them all in the picture.

All for now - hope to get a few cards made for various challenges this week - busy week ahead and am off to England on the 15th for 3 weeks with my family there.  Thanks for stopping by and love reading your kind comments.  Betty

PRIZE STAG

I wasn't going to enter Merry Monday's challenge this week until I remembered I had the Prize Stag die - perfect!  Then yesterday I received my prize from Memory Box from their last challenge - also perfect.

Die cut the stag and gilded it with HA gold glitter (no longer available from HA).  Also die cut the stitched holly leaves.  Stamped the sentiment in gold glitter first on the PTI gold foil striped paper. Then arranged the stag and leaves, added some red sequins for holly berries and done.

Am also entering this in Memory Box's challenge to use glitter and Happy Little Stampers to use gilding.

Thanks for visiting today and your comments which make my day!  Betty

PINK & GREEN

This week's challenge on Merry Monday is to use pink and green as the main colors.  The inspiration for my card was this card by Lin - loved the way she used the twine to make the wreath.  

The background watercoloring was done with my Kuretake Gamsai colors - spattered some of the gold metallic while the card was still wet.  The holly berries were stamped with picked raspberry and added some glossy accents to give them a bit of shine.  The die cuts and stamps are PTI's spruce and sprigs.

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

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