Seasons Greetings !

Seasons Greetings Everyone !   I would like to thank all my loyal followers & visitors for all your inspiration, visits and kind comments this year.    Without all of you, blogging would not be so rewarding.   I also wish you a very happy, healthy & creative 2013!      

I have a few more cards that I wanted to post for Christmas and will join into the following challenges with the first one:
Simon Says Stamp - Anything Christmas
Anything Goes Challenge Blog - #82 Traditional Colours 
Out of Hat Creations - Use Birthstone Colours  I used Feb-Amethyst, May-Emerald, July-Ruby

The first card below was a lot of fun to create using flower stamps from Outlines Stamps (who sadly closed earlier this year).

The background was created using Impression Obsession's Cover a Card- CC039 Lg. Paisley and Fruitcake Kaleidacolor ink.  I used a brayer to ink up the stamp along with IO's Mega Mount.

I embossed Outlines Striped Petals (Medium D658 & Small D659) with silver on green & red cardstock.  I highlighted them with Micacolor Interference Paints.     I added micro beads to the flower centres and added a pearl flourish that was in my stash along with holograph Starform border stickers.

I also have a couple of cards that I created with a pretty ornament stamp by Impression Obsession and  Penny Black backgrounds.   I borrowed this stamp from a friend during a crafty day & enjoyed colouring it so much that I ended up buying one of my own (yes I'm a stamp addict!)

 

Stamps used on above card:   Impression Obsession - D8295 Ornaments & Penny Black -  (Background) Harmony 40-170 & Christmas Story 40-164.   I used also used Spellbinder Dies.

The background (Harmony) was stamped with Brilliance Pearlescent Purple ink.   The dark green cardstock was stamped with the letter (Christmas story) stamp.  The ornaments were embossed with a gold powder that has a bit of glitter.  I painted them with Stargazer Micacolors.   The card is layered as shown, I added some holograph Starform border stickers.

And here is my 2nd card with the same image below.

Stamps used on above card:  Impression Obsession - D8295 Ornaments & Penny Black - (Background- Letters) Christmas Story 40-164 & Christmas Flourish (Merry Christmas) 3900H.   Again I used Spellbinder Dies.   The background (Letter) stamp was stamped with Wheat Versamark Chalk Ink.   The Ornaments were coloured with Vintage Micacolor paints.  

Thanks for your visit & enjoy the season with family & friends.
Shirley

Christmas Magic with Ryn's Ornament Faerie

Hello everyone !   I hope you are enjoying the week.   It's a beautiful sunny & cool day here, I'm heading out to garden shortly I have a lot to do outside at this time of year.  I enjoy it so much more in the crisp air.  

I created another card using Designs by Ryn's beautiful Ornament Faerie.    I love her Holly wings and her gorgeous ornament.    I thought that Ornament Faerie should be with a Christmas Tree and I didn't have a tree image the right size.   However, one of my kind crafty friends gave me a nice set of Spellbinder Dies that include triangle pendants.  (Thanks again Cathy !)   She mentioned using them to create Christmas tree for cards, so I thought I would give it a try and this is what I came up with.   

I  have trouble capturing the true colour when using purple, the actual card is more vibrant.  

I used the large triangle die with white cardstock and then coloured with Shabby Shutters Distress Ink using the Acrylic Block Technique.   Next I stamped over the 'tree' with an Evergreen Branch stamp with Shabby Shutters & Peeled Paint DI and then blended more Peeled Paint around the edges.  

I embossed the Faerie with Black (twice) and then coloured with Tombows using a brush & water.   I cut her out and then just the wings on the 2nd image.  I added a 2nd layer of wings for dimension.  I used holograph glitter on her fur trim, the ornament and layered as shown.    I found the green dotted page (Graphic 45) & green textured paper in my stash.  

Stamps:
Designs by Ryn - Ornament Faerie CM-M7
Impression Obsession - Christmas Magic B3585
Outlines - Evergreen Branch E-188
Dies:
Spellbinder - S5-029 Lacey Pennants and S4-322 Grommet Tags

Cuttlebug Embossing Folder: - Swiss Dots

If you get a chance, please hop over to Eileen's Blog, she has created a fabulous tag using Ryn's beautiful Kelp Stamp. 

Thanks for your visit, it's appreciated !
Have a great day,
Shirley

Winged Things with Outlines

Hello Crafters !

I received a newsletter from Outlines last week with the surprising news that they are closing.     I'm sad to hear this as Outlines has been one of my favourite stamp companies, their stamps are fun to work with.  I will treasure my Outlines Stamp collection.  

I started this card for the March 26th Outline challenge which was planned to be 'Going Buggy - Winged things'.    Once I read the news, there wasn't a hurry to complete the card, but today I've finished it.   Because this is not entered into an challenge with Outlines,  I added a non-Outlines sentiment.  

The background was once again created with Tom Bow markers, Water & Salt.  (Tom Bows 673, 676 & 703).     I sprayed Purple Glimmer mist over the background.   Nice effect but hard to see in the photo.     I kept the card large as I didn't want to cut any of the water colour off.   It's such a neat technique,  I'm always intrigued with the interesting results.

I stamped Outlines H61 Flutterfly Lg & embossed with Silver EP.   I stamped twice to 3D the inner section of the butterfly.   I blended Milled Lavender & Dusty Concord Inks to colour and then added Mica colour Interference paints over top.  I cut an extra body from a third Butterfly to add one more layer.   I added some Dusty Concord Distress Ink onto my non-stick mat, added a little water and brushed it to the outside border of the wings.  I also used a little dark Purple Smooch in the spots.   A little Diamond Stickles was  added along the edges and the body.   I popped up the layers as show and onto the background.

The sentiment is by Kaisercraft CS921 (set of 4) which was stamped with Memento Sweet Plum Dye ink.  I blended a little Milled Lavender Ink over and again added some Mica colour paints and distressed the edges.  I rounded the corners with a little punch.    The finishing touches are some rhinestones, ribbon and Starform corner & border stickers. 

Well that's all for today.  Thanks for visiting and have a great weekend.
Shirley

Green for St Patricks Day

Hello everyone !   I'm excited to learn this morning that I won a $25 shopping spree (random draw)  for last week's Challenge at Outlines Rubber Stamps !   Thank you Outlines !

The Challenge theme at Outlines this week is St Patrick's Day.     You will find beautiful DT creations and details here at Outlines Blog.      St Patrick's Day makes me think of Shamrocks, Everything Green & a Pot of Gold.    I don't own any Shamrock or St Patrick's themed stamps so I decided to create a card with lots of Green & Gold which hopefully suits the theme of this challenge!

The following Outline Stamps were used:    J986 Ellason Background, E224 Funky Flower 2 & F220 Mandala 4.  The Funky Flower & Mandala 4 stamps are so cool & work well with the larger Outline Mandala stamps to create many different designs.   I own quite a few !

My special & creative Aunt (Tantje) Saakje introduced me to Mandalas while on one my visits with her in the Netherlands many years ago and I fell in love with them.  She creates beautiful ones with various mediums.

This  background was created with Smooch Inks.   I blended Lettuce, Green Apple, Frosted Aqua and some Gold Lame added afterwards using an acrylic block.       I stamped the Ellason Background with Bamboo Leaves Memento Dye ink over top.

I embossed Mandala 4 on dark green card stock with Gold.   The Funky Flower was stamped twice and embossed with Gold on smooth white card stock.   I painted the funky flower with gold smooch ink and then used the little applicator tip of Green Apple on the small circles of the flower.     I colored the center with green on the 2nd flower and then cut all the images out and layered as shown.   I popped up the 2nd flower layer and also the flower onto a strip left over from the smooch background.

I used dark green and soft yellow card stock for the layers and added some gold Starform border stickers for the  finishing touch along with some small green rhinestones.

A little early, but I hope you enjoy your St Patrick's Day.   Don't drink too much Green Beer !
Thanks for stopping by !
Shirley

Make it Square

Hello everyone !     I'm participating today in another Outlines Monday Challenge.     This week's theme is "Make it Square".    You can find all the details and great DT samples here at Outline's Blog.   Basically the card just needs to be square.  

I decided to get out my square Outline stamps to create my square card !    I'm a little frustrated this evening trying to get a decent photo of this one.  The colours are a rich brown and beige but it's looking washed out here.   I tried 3x and then just gave up and went with the best one.

I used the following Outline Stamps:   K233 Inspiration Background and E158 Star Square 3 Lg.

I stamped the background three times and embossed with gold.  Twice on brown DP paper and once on beige DP.  The beige paper is from the Basic Grey Capella collection and the brown is from BoBunny, it's actually a wood grain but there is no way you can see that on this photo !      The large square was embossed with gold once on each colour as well.  

I cut out 8 beige squares and 8 inner brown from backgrounds and adhered it all together onto a brown background as the photo shows.  The corner & centre squares are popped up for dimension.    I added a little Mica colour Interference Gold to the centre square circle.  I also used a little smooch ink on the stars around the large centre square.    Liquid pearls, rhinestones, a star charm and gold ribbon were added for the final touches. 

I think this will work well for a masculine card. 

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day !
Shirley  

Follow your Heart with Outline Stamps

Hello !

I'm happily participating in another Outlines Challenge !   This week's theme is "Follow your Heart".   You can find all the great Design Team samples and details here at Outline's Blog.

I'm also entering this card into this weeks Crazy 4 Challenges, "Lots and Lots of Layers & Embellies" C4C121, the DT samples and details are here at Crazy 4 Challenges Blog. 

I used Outline's I-696 Layered Heart stamp along with a sentiment from the F-1049 Posy Greeting Centers to create this card.

I stamped the heart and embossed with Silver on 3 different pages from the 6x6 Designer Paper pad from My Mind's Eye, Lots & Found - Blush.  It's the same pad that I used for Outline's "Love is in the Air Challenge"  2 weeks ago.     I cut & layered the heart as shown, popped up a couple of the layers and used the newsprint sheet from the same pad as a mat.     A narrow piece of the paper that was cut off the end of the mat was turned over and used across the card at the top.   The sentiment was also layered.    

I  added Snickerdoodle & Taffy Smooch inks on some of the little flower patterns.   The tiny applicator makes it easy !    I always enjoy lots of cutting (maybe because it's a bit meditative?), but then came the most fun ..... adding lots rhinestone bling and cream Viva Pearls on the little circles in the images.   I find a lot of Outline stamps are wonderful for layering if you enjoy creating dimension on images and then the little patterns just beg for extra colour or bling !    So much fun ! :)   

Thanks for stopping by for a look,  I appreciate your visit !
Have a great day ! 
Shirley

"Love is in the Air" with Outline Stamps

Good afternoon !   It's Challenge Monday at Outline Stamps and this week's theme is "Love is in the Air - Valentine Creations".  You can find all the great Design Team samples and details here at Outline's Blog.

I have a couple of Heart/Valentine stamps by Outlines both of which are great for layering as a lot of Outline stamps are.

I used Outlines E342 Heart Sq.Lg stamp for this card.   I stamped the image twice & embossed in silver on black card stock and pink designer paper by My Mind's Eye - Lost & Found.  I cut and layered the images as shown above & below.     The heart & square are popped up into 4 layers but it's hard to see on the photo.    I used Taffy Smooch Ink on the tiny hearts & dots on the border of the square.    The centre heart is actually the back of the pink designer paper.   The square is layered onto designer paper and then co-ordinating card stock.   I used very narrow black border stickers by Starform and a silver heart charm with ribbon for the final touches.

I thought the above card had too much pink to give to my husband and had an extra square stamped & embossed so I made another card in red & black. 

For the card above I just cut out sections of the one image and layered as shown.   The striped designer paper is also from the same mini-pad (by My Mind's Eye).     I used Siren Smooch Ink to add colour to the square border.    I also added the 'Love You'  sentiment from Outlines which was stamped once on black and embossed with silver and then with black Versafine Ink on Red card stock.  I cut out the centre of the red and added to the black circle.   A red bow is the final touch !

Cutting Die :  Spellbinders - Nestabilities - S4-348 Postage Stamps.
Stamps:  Outlines E342 Heart Sq.Lg & F1049 Posy Greeting Centre
Designer Paper:  My Mind's Eye, Lost & Found, Blush 6x6 pad

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day !
Shirley

A Holiday Thank You

Good Evening !     I've finally had a day to 'work' in my craft room and decided to create a card for this week's Challenge at Outline Stamps - "A Holiday Thank You".    You can find all the details and beautiful Design Team samples here at Outline's Blog 

I would like to take this opportunity to extend a "Holiday Thank You" for all your visits & comments here at my blog.   I appreciate all your kinds words.    I've truly enjoyed blogging this past few months and meeting friendly & very talented bloggers !       It's so wonderful that we can share ideas across the world so easily !

I also took this opportunity to try out the new stamps that I received with a recent Outline challenge win !    I used Outline Round Posies H-1037 X Lg, G-1038 Lg. & E-1039 Med and also F1049 Posy Greeting Centers (Thank you) to create this card.

I also used Designer Papers from my supply/stash.   A couple are from Graphic 45 Christmas Emporium Collection (Christmas 2010) and the dark green is from BoBunny A gift of Love (also from Christmas 2010).     Unfortunatley I don't have much of these left as they are gorgeous.    

I stamped & embossed in gold the X-Lg & Lg posies on dark green designer paper and also on a gold/cream.   I stamped the Med. Posy once on the gold/cream paper.   I cut the outside edge from the dark green and layered onto the gold/cream as shown in the photo above.   I cut the outside edge from the gold/cream on the Med. Posy and used as the final layer and then added the Thank You Posy Greeting in the Center.  

The flower was layered onto BoBunny Dark Green designer paper and then onto Graphic 45 with the holly design and the final layer is dark green card stock.      A few Gold Metallic Leaves and Gold Ribbon along with a small flower charm that matches the design of the posy were the final touches.

In spite of a huge stash of ribbon I just didn't have the right red to co-ordinate.  I thought it would be a nice touch with red, but the gold blends in with the rest !

Thanks for stopping by and have a very Happy New Year !
Cheers
Shirley

Ornaments with Outline Stamps

Hi everyone, I hope you are having a great day. 

Our granddaughters were here for the weekend and we had a great time Christmas shopping, watching movies and making Christmas cards & ornaments.   I did the stamping & embossing for the girls, but they had fun picking out their colours and then cutting and decorating !   They were SO excited to show my step-daughter & son-in-law their creations !

I also managed to create an ornament for the Outlines Challenge this week.   All the information is here at: Outlines 'Hang it up' Challenge.   No cards -  only ornaments qualify !  

The Outlines Website has great instructions to create various ornament toppers.    Refer to the link above for all the info and to see the beautiful ornaments by the Outlines Stamp Design Team.

I used Outlines Jewel Topper I-1067 stamp to create my ornament.   I stamped & embossed in gold twice on blue and three times on platinum metallic card stock.   I used Mica Colour - Interference blue paint to add shimmer to the blue card stock (hard to see in the photo).     

It was fun putting the ornament together by cutting out the pieces and layering as the photo shows.   I added some large rhinestones and then used a Viva Decor Pearl Pen - Cream to add most of the 'jewels'.  I also used Pool Smooch Ink at the top of the ornament. 

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day !
Shirley

Christmas Peace Dove

Good morning !   I'm entering this Peace Dove card in Outlines "Friendly Fliers" challenge this week.  You can find the information and the Design Team creations at Outlines Blog .

I used Outlines G1117 Peace Dove and F1124 Posy Winter Greetings to create this card.  The Peace Dove is a beautiful stamp that I wanted to start using to create some of my Christmas cards for this year !   I stamped and embossed the image twice with gold.    I used Tom bows to colour the images and cut-out an extra wing & star which are popped up for a little dimension.   The paper is from Memory Keepers - Peppermint and Kaisercraft - Mary.   Liquid Pearls, Xmas Red & Diamond Stickles, Starform border stickers & ribbon were added for the finishing touches ! 

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day !
Shirley

Pretty in Pink - Outline's Challenge

Good evening !   I couldn't resist Outline's Challenge this week - "Pretty in Pink" as I could visualize a pretty & pink smooch ink background !   The details for this challenge are on Outline's Blog.  They also show beautiful cards by the Design Team. 

It's hard to see the detail of the 'smoochy' background, but it has a nice sheen !     I used my new Outline stamps:   D96 Swirly Flower Med and D97 Swirly Flower Sm and the cool J988 Izzy Background to create this card.

I used Snickerdoodle & Taffy Smooch ink, blended on smooth white card stock to create the background.   I stamped Izzy with Colour Box, Metal extra Platinum Ink.   The flowers were stamped and embossed with a metallic bronze embossing powder.   I also coloured the flowers with the smooch inks.   To blend smooch inks you need a Colour box stylus with a curved moldable foam tip.    It's easy & fun !    I popped up the flowers, added ribbon and used bisque liquid pearls and diamond stickles for the finishing touches.  

Thanks for stopping by, have a great day !
Shirley

Crazy 4 Challenges C4C109

Today is a good day to stay inside and work on cards, it's so dreary and cold - what happened to our Indian summer ?  I'm busy this week preparing cards for classes, but taking time to enter this card in a challenge that is sponsored by the Outlines Rubber Stamp Company.   You can find the information about the challenge and Design Team samples at Crazy 4 Challenges.

I used Outline's J984 Holly Background for this card.   I stamped and embossed the image with Gold twice on Plum card stock.    I painted the holly leaves with green Mica Colour Interference Paint and used Smooch Ink on the berries.   I also added Glossy Accents to the berries.  I cut out a few additional leaves from the 2nd image and used pop dots to add dimension. The folded card stock is a metallic green which I think compliments the holly leaves.    The sentiment is by Craftsmart.    Gold ribbon and Starform border stickers add the final touches ! 

I hope you can see the sheen that the MicaColour paints add !    

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day !
Shirley

Butterflies and Fairies

I just picked up this cute little heart butterfly stamp by Outlines last week and just had to try it out.    I embossed the butterfly with silver.    I used my Tombows to paint the image.   For the background, I used Hero Arts Flourish stamps that I inked with 3 colours of Memento Dye Inks.  After stamping the flourishes I highlighted some areas with coordinating Prismacolour Pencils.  I like the effect for the background.   I used a sentiment from Kaisercraft's "Life Sentiments" set.   Fine glitter, ribbon, rhinestones and Starform holograph border stickers were added for the finishing touches.

Have a great day !

Outline Challege - Pick a Flower !

I won the draw for a $25 certificate in Outlines, Lots of Layers Challenge !  I am thrilled as it was the first challenge I've entered.

Check out this week's challenge here:   Pick a Flower !    I picked Outlines Zen Blossom H-367 Rubber Stamp for this card and layered it up again !

I stamped and embossed the Zen Blossom twice on Purple Designer Paper and once on Light Orange (it looks peach in the photo) and Metallic Brown cardstock.    I used my cuttle bug to emboss the orange paper.   I thought these colours were appropriate for Fall.   I cut and layered as the photo shows.   I cut the inner circle from the brown metallic flower in the 2nd layer.    A cool little bling in the centre, Diamond stickles, brown ribbon and Starform corner & border stickers add the final touches !    I also painted the purple paper with MicaColor Interference Paint - to add some dazzle, but it's a hard to see it in the photo.  I love using those paints !

 Have a great day, Shirley

Outline Stamps Challenge, Lots of Layers !

I'm entering my first challenge today ! Here is the link to their blog:  Outlines Challenge, Lots of Layers 

I love using Outline Stamps and happy that I  finally have a Blog up & running to make an entry into one of their challenges !    There are so many Outline stamps that are awesome to use for adding layers to cards.    In my opinion the more layers the better !     

I used Outline Flowers for this card.  I stamped and embossed with gold the XLarge Jagged Posy,  the Large and Small Striped Petals once each on Brown Metalic and then Peach cardstock.   I cut and layered as the photo shows.   I continued layering with brown metallic and peach cardstock along with BoBunny's Gabrielle paper for accent.  I used my Cuttlebug to emboss the peach mat and to cut the brown metallic rectangle  & branch shapes.   Starform gold border & corner stickers and tiny gold beads (attached with glossy accents) in the centre of the flower were added for the final touches !

I've also added a side view photo here to show the layers.    

Have a great day !   
Shirley

 

Cards with Smooch Ink Backgrounds

We are enjoying a perfect September day here in Ontario.    I've been busy with family activities as one Sister from Hong Kong and another from Amsterdam have been visiting.    I've also been busy preparing for upcoming workshops.

I designed these two cards for a workshop last June, we had a great time.  The backgrounds were created by blending Smooch Inks which have a wonderful sheen that add elegance to paper creations.     I learned this technique at a workshop over a year ago and I've been having fun 'smooching' ever since !  My husband doesn't mind :)

I stamped and embossed the Butterfly (by Outline Stamps) with gold.   It's a beautiful stamp.   I also used Smooch Inks to colour in the Butterfly.   I used Mermaid Stickles, Gold Border Stickers by Starform and ribbon for the finishing touches.

On this card, I stamped and embossed the images with White powder which were also coloured in with Smooch Inks.  (Feather stamps by IO and Flowers by Outline) .   I also stamped feathers using Brilliance Platinum Planet Ink on the background.  A couple of white pearls in the centre of the flowers add the final touch ! 

These great stamps are very versatile, I love them. 

Have a great day !
Shirley