Saturday, November 01, 2014

Reindeer with Snowflakes & a Relaxed Cat :)

Hello everyone, I hope are having a great weekend.   It's just above freezing here and we have light snow!  I am so not ready for it, but it won't stay, it's melting as it hits the ground.    Hopefully we will enjoy some warmer days this month. 

I have two more Christmas card designs to  show today.    The beautiful stamps are from Chocolate Baroque.


The background above was created with Seedless Preserves Distress Ink and Faded Jeans Distress spray (yes I bought more!) using the Acrylic block technique.    I over stamped with a couple of snowflake negative designs from the A Child is Born set with Distress Ink and I also added some texture with white Acrylic paint and bubble wrap.   The main image is from the Reindeer Landscape set which I cropped a little and coloured with Inktense pencils.  The sentiment is from Christmas Magic.

I coloured the snowflake die cuts from Joy with Distress Inks and then sponged 3D stamp paint over top.  The 3D paint adds lots of sparkle and texture which is hard to see as it's difficult to get proper photos of sparkle and glitter.  I've just discovered this fabulous paint (thanks again to the helpful staff at our local scrapbook & art supply shop).    The little branches are from a McGill punch.




And below is a card without stamping.....

The background above started with an embossed sheet using a pretty snowflake folder (by Leane Creatief).  I sprayed Dylusions inks over top and also dabbed some white Acrylic paint with the Circle Explosion stencil by TCW.    The black die cuts are from Memory Box.

And here is our furry boy relaxing .... he is so sweet. 

I am not obese it's just this position I'm in that makes me look 'full figured'  However Mom says I could lose a pound or two:) I'm doing the best I can since I can no longer roam outside freely.   Mom says that I'm co-operative most of the time.  I go outside with a harness and leash, I hope there are no other cats that can see me.  (Cat's don't roam freely in our town, it's against the bi-law and it's not safe for cats - Shirley)
Thanks for stopping by and have a great day,
Shirleyx

31 comments:

Crafting Queen said...

Wow, stunning cards. As always your backgrounds are stunning. Archie looks so adorable in that photo! Tell him Skipper said hello. Sorry to hear you have snow at the moment. It's really beautiful and mild here. Have a great weekend. Hugs and Purrs.

brenda said...

That sounds awfully early for snow Shirley, or is that normal for you ?

Gorgeous colourful cards and the idea of the Dylusion background with the dies is great, off to have a play with my new Penny Black deer dies.

Hope you have a good weekend.

B x

Rosie said...

wow, both cards are absolutely gorgeous, Shirley.

Have a wonderful weekend

chrissie said...

Striking colours and wonderful images make these cards very special Shirley

Love Chrissie x

Gibmiss said...

Hi Shirley
Fabulous card ... Love that background and the colours... Stunning
Hugs Sylvie xx

Sue's Crafty Corner said...

Two stunning cards Shirley, I love the pinks on the first, and the blue and purple of the second also the gorgeous die cuts you've used. It's hard to believe that winter is so close now. We've been having a mini heatwave here in the UK this week, with temps upto 20 c. Hope your weekend is a good one.

Sue xx

Sophie said...

Oh, Shirley, was für wundervolle Winterkarten.
Passend zu deinem Wetter.

Und hier war heute schönster Sonnenschein und sehr warm. Wir hatten hier in Bremen 20 Grad plus...sehr ungewoehnlich.

Liebe ,,,
meine Tastatur will nicht >/*

Beth Norman-Roberts said...

We had wet snow here in Sarnia too but it didn't stick. Yipee. Your cards are gorgeous. The purple card is stunning. Your colouring of the rolling hills in purples is perfect.

Valerie-Jael said...

Wonderful cards, beautifully composed and lovely colours. Love the cat photo, the diva on the sofa, great! Hugs, Valerie

Alie Hoogenboezem-de Vries said...

A stunning scenery on your first card Shirley...gorgeous colours and details.
The silhouettes on the second card look great against that lovely blue background.
..And a big cuddle for the furry lazy cat. Great that he wants to walk outside on a leash! The cats in the neighbourhood will be jealous!
Enjoy the rest of the weekend, Alie :-)

Felicie said...

What beautiful Wintercards Shirley.
I really love them a lot.
Greetings
Felicie

Pat said...

I love both these cards Shirley, and the backgrounds are full of interest. I particularly like the snowflake embossing in the second. The pinks and purples on the first card are beautifully carried through on the topper, and the snowflakes are so pretty and match the colour of the ribbon. The MB black die cuts on the second card work beautifully with the blues and purples in the background. Lovely touches of white acrylic on both cards too. Your cat is a handsome chap, but it must be quite difficult for him to adapt to not having the freedom to roam, but I must say he certainly looks content. Hope your weekend is going well. x

maria's knutselplezier said...

Great backgrounds at both cards, lovely scenery , two amazing christmascards dear Shirley , I really love them both!! And your cat is so sweet!!

Greetings
Maria

Shona said...

Oh WOW !! That first card in the purples is beautiful beyond description. Your second card is lovely too, but the first one is something else!
Sorry to hear about the snow, I imagine that we'll have frost sometime soon. I guess it's time for me to pick the rest of my vegetables. :(
I like that cat by-law. I wish we had it here. I hate seeing cats hit by cars.
Congrats on your win! Happy shopping!

Anneke said...

Beautiful cards and a very relaxed cat. I love the way you made your first card. The smaller card fits so well on the bigger card. It really looks special. Very inspiring .
Have a wonderful Sunday Anneke.

Janny's Cards Creations said...

Lovely cards and beautiful colours. I read about the snow. Here we have summer 20 degrees (last day). When I see the photo of your cat It's of I see my cat he is the seem.
Greetings Janny

Wendy said...

Both very beautiful Shirley! Love the pretty backgrounds and the colours are fab! The blue card is very atmospheric. Gorgeous kitty too! Xxx

Donna Ellis said...

Shirley, incredible does not begin to say how your cards make me feel. Perhaps "falling into Nature" is a better phrase? How gorgeous your sun rise is and the fact that you have captured it in the background as well as image is just amazing to me. GORGEOUS cards, Shirley. And your "fat boy" is darling. Will he be allowed outside after you have been there a while? Our rescue kitty is now beginning to venture outdoors a little at a time, and sometimes beats the dog out in the morning when we open the door. It does my heart good to see her enjoying the lizards and birds and other "enchanting" critters to watch. I hope you enjoy a wonderful week! hugs, de

Miranda said...

Hi teamie,
Some beautiful cards to see here, love your colors as always and the die cuts are great! I often forgot to use them........love your lazy furry friend! xxMiranda

Sue said...

Totally gorgeous cards Shirley you have used some really stunning colours! love the photo of your furbaby :) lots of huggles Sue xxx

Nan G said...

His Majesty looks so comfy. :) And your cards are gorgeous. Hugs

Karin said...

Gorgeous cards, love the glitter on it! Have a lovely week!
Groetjes karin

~*~Patty S said...

Such a sweet pussy cat!
Your cards are full of magic and beauty Shirley.
I always drag my feet a bit when seasons change and have been lost lately in trying to clear out some.
Stay warm and Happy November!
oxo

Gerrina said...

Two stunning cards! Both BG are so great! Love the way you build them both! Hope you have some sun aswell... Enjoy your week! Hugs, Gerrina

Annemie said...

Two beautiful wintercards Shirley!
Your cards seem so magical...

Greetings,
Annemie

aussie aNNie said...

Wonderful card Shirley and gorgeous stamps too , do love those colours.xx
The Journey is the Start

Lindeke said...

Long time I blogged and here I saw gorgeous cards Shirley! Thank you for sharing! Funny relaxed cat! Gr, Linda

Eileen said...

Cor blimey! Snow already! Keep warm Shirley.
Just catching up with your work.
I adore this background, love distress stains too. The whole card is very pretty.
Take care
Eileen xx

sheila 77 said...

Haha! Remind me never to end a blogpost with a great cat picture. I was just about to say how magical was your first card with all the details - the deer and the fabulous cut snowflakes and your very wonderful background - when your delightful crafting assistant appeared (you're obviously working him too hard) and I forgot to leave a comment.
Snow again, Shirley! You must feel as if it is following you around, but on the bright side it makes for good making-art weather.

Greta said...

Everything you make is gorgeous, but wow--these go to the top of my list, Shirley! Stunning work! Love the picture of your fur-baby--such a cutie! Never heard of cats not allowed to roam, but sounds like a good idea to me.

maz said...

Hi Shirley an absolute stunning set of cards! I gain inspiration from your beautiful creations.
I love your cats too, sorry to see that Sweetie is no longer with you. x