Sunday Christmas Card Challenge #32

Wow!  This year is officially now half over.  Now, if the next few months go as fast, the time to send out our Christmas cards will be on us before we know it.  Good thing you've all been making cards each week, right?  :-)  If not, don't despair, there is still plenty of time to join our Sunday Christmas Card Challenge and get on track to have your cards done before December.

A holiday or Christmas card is all you need to do to join in the challenge.  But, you can also give the optional challenge a go, too.  This week it's "Thinking Tags."  Just make a Christmas tag or incorporate a tag on your card.  You can find all of the details for the challenge HERE.

Stamp Sets:  Christmas Lodge - retired, Gorgeous Grunge, Tags til Christmas - retired; Inks:  Real Red, Pear Pizzazz, Hello Honey, Crumb Cake, Lost Lagoon, Pistachio Pudding, Mossy Meadow; Card Stock:  Very Vanilla, Real Red, Manilla Tag; Accessories & Tools:  Clear Embossing Powder, VersaMark, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, 1" Square Punch, Postage Stamp Punch, White Baker's Twine (colored with Hello Honey), Copic Markers R27, YG17 (used to color the Rhinestones)

I hope everyone had a grand time celebrating our nation's birthday.  I love July 4th!  

Thanks for stopping in at the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe,

Marsha

A Beautiful Night of Navy Christmas Card

We had such fun at our Sunday Stamp Club.  We made a couple of neat projects, played a game and won some cool prizes and had some yummy treats.  One of the projects we made was this really pretty Christmas card.  As you may know, blue is my favorite color and Stampin' Up!'s Night of Navy has been my favorite since I was first introduced to Stampin' Up!  The design is clean and simple and I love the sparkle of the Silver Glimmer Paper.

Stamp Sets:  Prince of Peace (#134811), Gorgeous Grunge (#130517); Ink:  Silver Metallic Encore Pad (#132142); Card Stock:  Night of Navy (#100867), Silver Glimmer Paper (#124005); Accessories & Tools:  Deco Labels Collection Die (#130102), Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine (#113439), Stampin' Dimensionals (#104430)

Tomorrow I'll show you the other cute project we made.  It's all made with punches and you are going to love it!

Thanks for stopping by the Coffee Pot Stamping Cafe...

Marsha

Daydreaming at My Desk

Graphic 45 papers are wonderful.  You can get them in 12x12 paper pads or 8x8 paper pads.  They lends themselves beautifully to a vintage look.  If you haven't seen their new Christmas paper, The Twelve Days of Christmas, be sure to visit their blog.  I fell in love with it the minute I saw it.  But, for now, back to another card from the September A Place in Time card class.

I loved this image of the student leaning on his book daydreaming.  What do you suppose he is thinking about?  I think it made a great Thinking of You card.

Until next time. . .happy creating!

Autumn Time

How many of you loved to swing?  As a girl, our neighbor had a bag swing in a tree that had grown up over a hill.  It was so much fun to grab the rope and swing out over that hill.  It was almost like flying!  This little girl swinging as her puppy rolls in the grass, made me think of all the fun we had taking turns swinging out over that hill.

There is a whole page of cutouts in each Graphic 45 paper pad.  I think this is the second favorite card we made.  As you can see, it is an easel card.  I love making easel cards.  It gives such a different look to your card.

Until next time. . .happy creating!

September Leaves

Autumn is my favorite time of the year.  I love the cool, crisp air and the beautiful colors of the trees.  The holiday season is approaching and it heralds in special times spent with family and friends.  Here is the third card I made in the Graphic 45 September A Place in Time card class.

The cards in this year long series have been so much fun to put together.  At class I saw the cards for the next three classes and I can hardly wait until class time.  Janet designs wonderful cards.

Until next time. . .happy creating!

Flourishes - It's Sketchy July Release Challenge!

It's been fun getting involved in a few challenges again.  Today's card was made using Flourishes July Release Sketch Challenge.  I again used my Swan Lake Stamp Set from Flourishes.  I stamped the flower using StazOn and, after coloring it, I cut out the smallest of the flowers and used a pop dot to add it in the punched out area.  On the inside of the card I stamped a birthday sentiment along with the cattails from Swan Lake.  I also had the chance to use the new Pansy Punch and Flower Shop stamp set from Stampin' Up! 

Here is the sketch we were to follow.  Click on the image below to go right to the Flourishes website to get all the information about the challenge.

And, here is the card I created using the sketch.  It's blue.  Now why does that not surprise anyone!

Stamps Sets:  Swan Lake (Flourishes), Flower Shop and Beautiful Birthday (Stampin' Up!), Inks:  Midnight Muse Pad, Midnight Muse Marker, Wild Wasabi Marker (all Stampin' Up!); Card Stock:  Very Vanilla, Crumb Cake, Water Color Paper, Print Poetry Designer Series Paper (all Stampin' Up!); Accessories & Tools:  Pansy Punch (Stampin' Up!), pop dots, rhinestones

Until next time. . . happy creating!

Graphic 45 Best Wishes

Tonight I have my July Graphic 45 Card Class and I'm just now sharing with you the last card from the May group with you.  Because I have a little visitor today, I'll keep this post short and show you that card.  I'm completely taken by the Graphic 45 A Place in Time collection.

There you have the last May card.  I think for June, I'll just showcase the whole set so I can move on to the new ones I'll be making tonight.  With it being so hot and humid, there are only two things that will get me out of my nice cool house and that is work or a card class.

Until next time... happy creating!

Secret Garden Thinking of You

Today I'm playing along with the Mojo Monday Sketch Challenge.  If memory serves me, this is my first time contributing to this challenge.  And, it's a very special challenge.  They are celebrating their 300th sketch.  Wow!  Be sure to visit the Mojo Monday Blog.  You can click on the link above or the sketch photo below.

Stamp Set:  Garden Shed (Taylored Expressions); Inks:  Perfect Plum (Stampin' Up!), Antique Linen Distress Ink (Tim Holtz Ranger); Card Stock:  Very Vanilla and Perfect Plum (Stampin' Up!), Secret Garden (Graphic 45); Accessories & Tools:  Flower Box Sprigs & Flowers Die (Taylored Expressions), Framed Tulips Embossing Folder (Stampin' Up!), 1-3/4" Circle Punch (Stampin' Up!), Silver Mini Brad (Stampin' Up!)

Here is the sketch that provided the inspiration for my card.

 It was a fun sketch and gave me a chance to use some of my Secret Garden patterned paper by Graphic 45.

Celebrate Freedom!

When I saw this stamp set from Taylored Expressions, I knew I had to have it.  I have been working on an album honoring my oldest brother and it is a perfect fit for adding some dimension to the album.  For today, I made a CAS card simply to celebrate the 4th of July.  The die of the United States came with the Stars & Stripes stamp set.  I love it!  I live in a great country and am blessed to have the freedoms that I do.

Stamp Set: Stars & Stripes (Taylored Expressions); Ink:  Cherry Cobbler, Midnight Muse (Stampin' Up!); Cars Stock:  Cherry Cobbler, Midnight Muse, Whisper White (Stampin' Up!); Accessories & Tools:  Stars & Stripes Die (Taylored Expressions), Stampin' Dimensionals, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine

May you all have a blessed and safe holiday.

Graphic 45 Congratulations!

Well, I didn't get a change to finish up the page I mentioned on Saturday.  It was a busy weekend but I'm not complaining!  I have my laptop back and I'm one very happy stamper.  In the meantime, here is another of the May Graphic 45 cards made in last month's class.

For the next few days, I'll finish showing you the cards from the May set as well as the June set.  And, I may surprise you with something other than the Graphic 45 cards I've been making.  You just never know what I'm going to do next!

Graphic 45 May Card

There has been so much going on around here lately that I have fallen way behind in my posting here.  If I would sit down and finish up the started projects, I'd probably have enough to keep me posting through the rest of the year!  Well, not quite that many but I do need to get them finished up.  For now I'm going to share another Graphic 45 card I made in the May card set.  The May set is so far my favorite but I think that is just a color thing.  I love the Graphic 45 A Place in Time paper.

Gorgeous colors!  I love the doves at the window.  Hopefully, Monday I can share a page I'm making for an album I'm doing about my brother, Larry.  I purchased a new stamp and die set from Taylored Expressions because it a perfect fit for the album.

A Black and White Father's Day Card

Well, now that I've completely neglected posting to my blog, I'm getting back into the swing of it.  I've got lots of cards and projects done and will be sharing those as the days go by.  For today, here is the newest Father's Day card I designed.  I used the Stampin' Up! Simply Scored Scoring Tool and the Simply Scored Diagonal Plate to make the diamond design on the Whisper White.  After I attached it and the ribbon and did the stamping, I added a drop of Onyx Pearl Liquid Pearls at the point of the diamonds.

Stamp Set:  Delightful Dozen; Ink:  Whisper White Craft; Card Stock:  Basic Black, Whisper White; Accessories & Tools:  Simply Scored Scoring Tool, Simply Scored Diagonal Plate, 5/8" Basic Black Grosgrain Ribbon

It's A New Day!

And, what have I accomplished today?  Not a whole lot!  I've got two new cards in the works as well as a plaque but they are no where near the point where they can be shown.  So, I'm going to share another Graphic 45 card from the May set.  This is a Mother's Day card from the set and it happens to be one of my favorites.  Enjoy!

Just Having Too Much Fun!

You know, I just never get tired of making new cards.  I recently picked up my Graphic 45 May card kit and was I 'wowed' by it!  The cards are gorgeous.  Over the next few days, I'll be showing them off along with some other things I've been working on.  For you Stampin' Up! lovers, stay tuned, that Honeycomb Embossing Folder has had my attention in recent crafting sessions. For now, enjoy the first card made in the new card set.

Rain, Rain Go Away!

Don't get me wrong!  I love the rain.  The only thing I don't like is when it's day after day without a hint of sunshine!  Well, at least the temperatures are getting warmer.  Now don't you think rain and blue just seem to go together?
 

Tomorrow night I'm attending a new class so be sure to tune in on Wednesday to see what what I've been up to.  I can't wait to share with you.

An Oldie but a Goodie!

April will soon be gone and Mother's Day is only a bit over three weeks away.  What special thing do you have planned to do for your mother?  Going to take her out to dinner?  Attend church with her?  What ever it is, I know she will appreciate it.

Stamp Sets:  Triple Treat Flower, Delightful Dozen; Ink:  Perfect Plum; Card Stock:  Blushing Bride, Whisper White; Accessories & Tools:  Adorning Accents Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, Adorning Accents Edgelits Die, 1/2" Very Vanilla Seam Binding Ribbon, Jewels Basic Rhinestone, Fancy Flower Punch, Dazzling Details

Island Indigo Thinking of You

After my grandsons left yesterday, I sat down at my craft table and whipped up a new card.  I inked up the Leafy Branch embossing folder before I ran it through the Big Shot.  I'd not done that before and was a bit worried that the ink would not clean off the folder.  Needless worry.  It cleaned up just fine.  I like the monochromatic scheme of this one.

 

 Stamp Set:  A Little Greeting; Ink:  Island Indigo; Card Stock:  Island Indigo, Very Vanilla; Accessories & Tools:  Leafy Branch Embossing Folder, Scallop Oval Punch, Large Oval Punch, Rhinestones, Dimensionals, Big Shot Die-Cutting Machine

Happy Birthday to Me!

April Fool's!  Well, actually, my birthday was yesterday.  With it also being Easter and Sunday, it wasn't as important as honoring my Lord and Savior.  I had a great day with my oldest son, Wayne.  We had dinner together, went on a search and find mission but came up empty and had a Blizzard as my birthday treat.  I would have loved to have all my boys together but they were at their in-laws for Easter this year.

Since I didn't get to sit down and do any crafting, I decided to share my birthday cards with you.  While I had many birthday wishes, these are the only cards I received.  I think they are all wonderful.

The card on the top left is the one the gals at work made, signed and gave me yesterday.  On the right is the one from my friend Barb.  The bottom left card is from my friend Mary and the right card is from another friend, Merna.  They made my day along with all the other birthday wishes I received.

Tomorrow I'll show you the gift I made for myself.  I know!  I know!  It's all about me.  :-)   You can thank my mother for that.  She always made birthdays so special.  Now that she is no longer here to spoil me, I've carried on my own tradition by treating myself to something just for me.

Celebrate

With a house full of grandsons yesterday, I didn't have a lot of time to be creative.  One of my favorite stamps sets from Sale-A-Bration is Feeling Sentimental.  Here is the card I made just before going to bed last night.  Sometimes clean and simple is the way to go.

Stamp Set:  Feeling Sentimental; Ink:  Early Espresso; Card Stock:  Very Vanilla, Festival of Prints Designer Series Paper Stack (retired); Accessories & Tools:  Sycamore Street Ribbon/Tangerine Tango, Stampin' Dimensionals, sponge

Considering this took all of ten minutes to put together, I rather like the way it turned out.  I love that Sale-A-Bration Sycamore Street Ribbon.

Garden Shed

Last month I was invited to take a survey for Taylored Expressions and the reward for doing so was receiving a discount on a stamp set.  The one I chose is called Garden Shed.  It has been some time since I've used my markers and this was such fun.  No, the birdbath is not going to tip over.  I had a little help from my grandson on this one so the birdbath and the sentiment are a bit off but I like it anyway.  Aiden is always wanting to know what I'm doing and if he can sit on my lap and help.  He is quite a precocious three year old!

Stamp Set: Garden Shed; Inks:  Stampin' Write Markers in Certainly Celery, Crumb Cake, Soft Suede, So Saffron, Pink Pirouette, Rose Red, Midnight Muse, Lucky Limeade, Bashful Blue, Calypso Coral; Card Stock:  Naturals Whites, Basic Gray/True Love, Watercolor Paper; Accessories & Tools:  3/16" Corner Punch

Now that I've had a chance to play with this new set, I love it.  I'm already working on my next project.