Sending Smiles Across the Miles

Today is the 12th and it is time for another Hot Mess card.  This is card number 18 and we are well into year #2. The idea of Hot Mess ~ Success started with Kelly and the general theme is to Get Messy and you will have Success!  Messiness can be almost anything that we come up with--glitter, alcohol inks, glimmer glitz, sponged backgrounds, etc., anything that is a bit messy.  We are a group of 6 and we will post a card each month on the 12th.  The links to the other 5 members are on my left side bar and I will also link them at the bottom at this post.

For this month's messiness,  I wanted to use a bottle of Marabu Alcohol Ink Rainbow that has been sitting on my shelf.  I even have two bottles and I don't know where I got them............  I used it along with some Tim Holtz Alcohol inks on Tim Holtz Silver Sparkle Alcohol Ink Cardstock.  I am not sure the Rainbow changed the colors much, but I really like the shimmer from the cardstock.   I die cut the piece I made from Gina Marie Designs Stitched Squares along with a Silver layer.  I then used Simon Says Stamp-CZ Designs Chunky Hello die and shadow to cut the silver word, layered three times and the Gorgeous Grape shadow.  The sentiment is from Taylored Expressions Simple Strips Friendship and I embossed with white on black cardstock and used the coordinating die to cut it out.  The background layer was embossed with a Stampin' Up Embossing folder called Subtle Dynamic for a bit of texture.  I did not think any additional bling wass needed as there is lots of sparkle and shimmer on the card.  

Here is the inside of my card, with a strip of the inked paper.

Here are the links to the other members of Hot Mess ~ Success.  Please be sure to check out Jeanette's, Terry's, Kelly's , Carol's and Darlene's blogs. I am sure you will enjoy seeing how everyone got messy and was successful in making some great cards!   We will all continue in  2021, so be sure to check back to see what we are up to on February 12th.  

Image/Sentiment: Taylored Expressions Simple Strips Stamp-Friendship and Matching Die; Simon Says Stamp CZ Designs Chunky Hello Die

Cardstock/Patterned Paper: Tim Holtz Silver Sparkle Alcohol Ink Cardstock; Stampin' Up Gorgeous Grape, Basic Black; The Paper Cut Silver Mirricard

Ink: Tim Holtz Alcohol Inks; Marabu Alcohol Ink Rainbow; Versamark

Accessories:  Stampin' Up White Embossing Powder, Subtle Dynamic Embossing Folder; Gina Marie Designs Stitched Square Dies

Close as a Memory

Today is the 10th and the day we are to post our  Stamp What? challenge with the three collaborators you have seen many times in the past--Kelly, Jeanette and me! We started this in January of 2020, so we are now starting our second year of this fun challenge.  Kelly came up with the challenge to randomly pick a Stampin' Up set and make a card with that set.  Get the dust off of those forgotten Stampin' Up sets! 

I decided when this group challenge started to only use the wooden Stampin' Up stamps that are on my bottom shelves.  So this month, I randomly picked the Close as a Memory set!  This is also an older set as the year 2006 is on the box.  

I  also decided to go old school when inking up the image and pulled out 2 of my very old Stampin' Up write markers!  I am not sure the last time I used any of them and I still have most of the colors.  I used my Brocade Blue marker to color the blooms and a Gumball Green to color the stems and leaves.  I then spritzed water on the stamp before placing on a piece of watercolor cardstock to get a muted, soft look.  I no longer have a Brocade Blue ink pad, so I used the same marker on the sentiment and "huffed" the stamp before placing it on the cardstock.  I really liked the look of the  first card, so I decided to make two more!   I cut two of the panels with a Memory Box Matinee Rectangle Layered die. I embossed the back panel with three different embossing folders and they are listed below.   I added some pearls to the center of the flowers.  

I like the look of my cards this month and I hope you do too.  Be sure to check out Jeanette and Kelly's cards.  I am sure they have some fun cards with those "oldies but goodies" stamp sets by Stampin' Up!  And be sure to check back every month on the 10 to see what we create!

Image/Sentiment: Stampin' Up Close as a Memory

Cardstock/Patterned Paper: Stampin' Up Dapper Denim, Whisper White; Strathmore Watercolor Cardstock

Ink:   Stampin' Up Write Markers-Brocade Blue, Gumball Green

Accessories:  Sizzix Curlique-on card without die cut; Taylored Expression Garden Party-one double layered die cut image; Stampin' Up Finial Press-single layer die cut image; Memory Box Matinee Rectangle Layers Dies; Pearls

Have an Ice Day

It is time for another The Three Musketeers post. We are ready to showcase the card we all created with the fun image that Jeanette sent for January--for Card #77!  That means we are in year #6--can you believe that?  All three of us sure have enjoyed the challenges every month and we hope that it continues for a long time!  Kelly is up for the February challenge so be sure to come back to see what we create!  

For our card this month, Jeanette sent out this sweet image from Sugar Pea Designs  called Have an Ice Day! I think it is so cute and I love the expression on the face of this cute guy!

I colored the image with my Copic Sketch Markers.  I added some Lawn Fawn Prisma Glitter from Lawn Fawn on his hat.  I then die cut the image with Elizabeth Designs Dashing Circles and layered it over another circle cut from a Spellbinders die.  I then die cut the included sentiment with a stitched tag from Gina K Designs Master Layouts 2. I added s strip of silver foil that I embossed with a Sizzix Tim Holtz Embossing Folder called Snow Flurries.  I added some Bermuda Bay Baker's Twine under the sentiment tag and a few silver Drip Dots from Taylor Expressions.  I hope Jeanette and Kelly along with you enjoy my card!

Here is the inside of my card:

Please check out the other Musketeer's cards.  Here is the link to Jeanette's blog along with Kelly's blog.  I am sure you will not be disappointed and will see a couple of great cards!  They may post today or tomorrow, so be sure to check out their blogs for their card!   As I mentioned before, Kelly is up for our February challenge.  Please be sure to join us again.  

Image/Sentiment:  Sugar Pea Designs Have an Ice Day

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  Accent Opaque 120# White; Stampin' Up Bermuda Bay, Coastal Cabana; Silver Foil; Snowflake Foiled Patterned Paper

Ink: Memento Tuxedo Black

Accessories:  Copic Sketch Markers; Sizzix Tim Holtz Snow Flurries Embossing Folder; Gina K Designs Master Layouts 2; Spellbinders Nestabilities Circle Dies; Elizabeth Craft Designs Dashing Circles Dies; Taylored Expression Silver Drip Dots; Lawn Fawn Prisma Glitter

At Home With Gnomes

I think 2020 and back into 2019 was the year of gnomes.  They were all over the place and especially in the stamping community.  All different kinds of gnomes for many different seasons and holidays.  But, I think some of the best ones are winter gnomes!  My stamping friend Jeanette did a series in 2020 where she made a card every month, using a different gnome image, and posted on her blog.  I loved looking at them whenever she posted those cute non-faces.  So-I asked her if she minded if I "borrowed" her theme for 2021 and she graciously said yes.  So-At Home With Gnomes was created!  Each month I will create a card using one of my many gnome images.  I do not have a set day for the post-but I do plan to make one every single month!

For my first card, I picked one of my winter gnome stamps from Whipper Snapper Designs called Gnome Sled. Isn't this a sweet image.   I colored these guys with my Copic Sketch Markers.  I picked some pretty patterned paper from Simple Stories called Cozy Christmas and used both sides-Red Flurries and Stripes for the background.  Three enamel dots are the final touches!  I think this is a fun card.

Here is the inside of my card:

I am sure I have more than enough gnome images to use a different one each month.  I will be back in February and will show you another gnome, so stay tuned!

Image/Sentiment:  Whipper Snapper Designs Gnome Sled

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  Neenah Classic Crest 110# Solar White; Stampin' Up Basic Black, Island Indigo; Simple Stories Cozy Christmas Red Flurries/Stripes

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories:  Enamel Dots;  Copic Sketch Markers

Calm Christmas

This is my January Crafters of Faith card.  This is a great group that my friend Kelly started on SCS.  She hosted for 5 years and now Faith has taken over for year #6. We will continue as we have in the past with each month a new hostess gives us a scripture and challenges us to make a card with that theme.  Lisa is the hostess this month and gave everyone this challenge:

Scripture--Psalm 91:4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. 

Challenge--Use this verse to inspire your card or project. 

I love this retired image from Stampin' UP called Calm Christmas.  I love the detail on the dove and especially on the wings.  I inked up the dove and sentiment with Cherry Cobbler and cut out the layer with my Gina K Designs Master Layouts 2.  The scalloped background is Garden Green, cut with My Favorite Things Blueprints 20 and layered on a Garden Green card base. I added three white enamel dots for the final touch.   I really like the look of this card! 

Here is the inside of my card, with another sentiment from the same set:

I hope Lisa and the others from the Crafters of Faith group like my card this month!  We are to post between the 7th of each month, so if you look on my sidebar, you may see other creations.  I know that there will be many posted in the COF thread on SCS too! 

Image/Sentiment:   Stampin' Up Calm Christmas

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  Neenah Classic Crest 110# Solar White;  Stampin' Up Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green

Ink:  Stampin' Up Cherry Cobbler

Accessories:  Gina K Designs Master Layouts 2; My Favorite Things-MFT-Blueprints 20; White Enamel Dots

I Love Snow!

We have had a lot of snow the past week in Wisconsin-like 8 inches one night and another 4 inches two days later.  And--I do love snow.  We have gone snowshoeing both days of the new snow and it sure is a good workout!  And, it is beautiful to be out among the trees full of snow!

I used one of my cute winter stamps from Whipper Snapper Designs called Frappe Snowman.  Isn't he sweet!  I colored him with my Copic Sketch Markers.  I picked some pretty patterned paper from Echo Park Paper for the background and a layer at an angle behind the image.  I added some Lawn Fawn glitter on the image-Prisma on the heart and Chunky on the ground.  Three Gina K Designs Mini Snowflakes along with some bakers twine are the final touches!  I think this is a fun card.

Here is the inside of my card:

I plan to ink up more of my winter images in the next few weeks--stay tuned!

Image/Sentiment:  Whipper Snapper Designs Frappe Snowman

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  Neenah Classic Crest 110# Solar White; Stampin' Up Cool Caribbean, Cherry Cobbler, Early Espresso; Echo Park Paper A Perfect Winter-Snowy Stripe

Ink:  Hero Arts Intense Black

Accessories:  Gina K Designs Mini Snowflakes; Lawn Fawn Prisma and Chunky Glitters; Copic Sketch Marker; Stampin' Up Bermuda Bay Baker's Twine

Use Your Words!

This is my January card for the monthly themed swap that Terry is hosting on SCS. Each month she will post a theme and we make cards using any stamp set we believe follows that thought. This is our 5th month and the theme for January is "Use Your Words".  

I picked a wood mounted stamp that I am not sure has been inked in the past. It is a Penny Black stamp called Blessed.  I love the sentiment-but am not a fan of the font as I think it is hard to read.  I used a Sizzix embossing folder called plaid and then use a Gina Marie Designs die called Venetian Label to cut out the center.  I placed a piece of Stampin' Up Naturally Eclectic Designer Series Paper in the opening and layered the sentiment in the middle.  I added a few navy enamel dots on the embossed panel.   I think this is a fun card.

Here is the inside of my card:

I hope Terry and the others swappers like my card this month too! Terry has already posted the February theme and the ones for the rest of the year.  Be sure to come back in to see what we create!  

Image/Sentiment:  Penny Black Blessed

Cardstock/Patterned Paper:  Neenah Classic Crest 110# Solar White; Stampin' Up Berry Burst, Fresh Fig, Night of Navy, Naturally Eclectic

Ink:  Stampin' Up Night of Navy

Accessories:  Gina Marie Designs Venetian Die; Sizzix Plaid Embossing Folder; Navy Enamel Dots

One Plus 12 in 2021!

This is my One Plus Twelve card, first month of 2021!  This was the brainchild of Kelly and she asked Jeanette and me to join her in this challenge in 2019. We are to use just one stamp, to make a card every month and post on the 3rd of each month.  It was so much fun that the three of decided to continue for our third year and pick a new image to use.

For 2021, I picked a Gina K Designs set called Thankful Greenery.  I think this set is so pretty and I can see in my mind many ways that I can use this image.  Plus--I will have 12 thank you cards at the end of the year!

For my first card, I embossed the image with white embossing powder onto Crumb Cake cardstock.  I then colored in the leaves and berries or flowers with my Copic Sketch markers.  I layered the image on a layer of Garden Green. I used Gina K's Master Layouts 2 for an additional layer of Crumb Cake.  The final scalloped layer is cut also cut from Garden Green from My Favorite Things Blueprints 20 and is layered on the same colored card base.  The sentiment is from the same set.  I also embossed with white and die cut with a banner from the same Master Layouts 2.  I added a few cream colored enamel dots for the final touch!

Here is the inside of my card, with a strip of washi tape:

Please be sure to check out the other One plus Twelve cards.  Here is a link to Jeanette's and Kelly's blog. I am sure you will enjoy checking out what stamp set each of them picked for 2021 and will see a couple of great cards! I hope Kelly and Jeanette like my card and that you might too! Be sure to check back every month on the 3rd to see our cards!

Image/Sentiment: Gina K Designs Thankful Greenery

Cardstock: Stampin' Up Crumb Cake, Garden Green

Ink:  Stampin' Up White Embossing Powder; Versamark

Accessories: Gina K Designs Master Layouts 2; My Favorite Things-MFT Blueprints 20; Copic Sketch Markers; Ivory Enamel Dots

Year in Review

Happy New Year ~ Welcome 2021!

I hope you had a nice evening and celebrated New Year's Eve in whatever style worked for you this year.  What a year it has been--one none of us want to recreate-EVER!  I am so happy 2021 is here--and the vaccine is coming to all of us soon! 

As I have done the past few years, I am going to take a look back at my creations for 2020, this first day of the new year.   Here is my collection of my 12 favorite cards of the year--one for each month.  If you want to see the original post with the details on the card, please click on the month above the card and it will take you to the post.

January ~ Stamp What

February ~ Creative Card Chicks

March ~ Mr. and Mrs.

April ~ On the Third Day

May ~ Create Your Own Stripes

June ~ Mono Printed Cards

July ~ Dogwood Flowers

August ~ Messiness Grows!

September ~ Friday's With The Project Bin

October ~ Showcase Pink

November ~ A Child is Born

December ~  O Holy Night

I hope you too have enjoyed my look back on the cards of 2020.  I posted on 260 days this past year, with May being the highest month as I posted on 35 days!  Must have been some doubles!  June and July each had 25--still a good number!   The lowest number of posts was 17 days in both November and December, so I think I did pretty well.  I will continue with all of groups for 2021, and I am adding another challenge with Kelly and Jeanette--along with a challenge of my own. Bring on 2021!!!!

I hope you have a great start to 2021!  Make it better than 2020--and that should not be hard!