Beautiful Season Wednesday Sketch Challenge

Once again this was very fun Sketch Challenge at SplitCoastStampers.  My challenge for this card was those narrow strips and getting them even. And I didn't get them even.  The right side is up about 1/8" higher than the left.  It looked just fine to me until I saw the photo of it on this post!!  Fortunately I was able to move it and now the card is all evened up!!  

I love this "Beautiful Season" set.  Chickadees are my most favorite birds, though I wish I could color them better!  I want to give this bird a try on watercolor paper and see if I can get a more realistic look to it.  I'll have to give that a try later in the week. I have a few other projects going on and one of them requires me to open up my sewing machine!  I have not sewn in a long time.  I use to sew all the time and I loved it but now I dread having to get it out. I'm always afraid I am going to forget how to thread it or oil it. But I do remember and I get the job done and put it away. Now I have to admit that is one thing I put away right away!! LOL Other stuff sits around for days before I put it away but the sewing machine.... well, the less I see of it the better!!

I did have fun playing along with this sketch. If you have time give it a try!  See if you can get those long thin panels straight!!! LOL

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Lovely as a Tree Christmas Card

This "Lovely as a Tree" set has been around for a LONG time.  Over 10 years I think!  And it's still a fun set to play with!  I saw a card done like this at Kewl Stamps -n- More Designs by Julie.   I tend to gravitate to her site quite a bit. I think her taste is similar to mine and I find myself doing a CASE on her cards at least once a month (or more)!!

Her card is a bit different.  Ok, every card I pilfer off the net is "a bit different" because I usually change the color due to the products I don't have on hand.  Julie's card as made using brown ink and brow stripped ribbon.  I didn't have brown ribbon so I went with the black.  And her wording was different too.  She had "Merry Christmas" and I used the "Peace on Earth" from the "Four the Holidays" set.  I have used that set a lot and find the four word images in it are all ones I like to use!!!  Ya gotta LOVE that when you get a set that you can use all the images!  For me that doesn't happen very often. I get close and sometimes there is only one image in the set that drew me to it.  I try to use the other images, really I do!!! LOL

This was a fun card to make and quick too!  So if  you need to make a bunch of quick Christmas cards, this is the way to go!

This card would also be a good candidate for a Shoebox Swap or a Stamp a Stack.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Envelope Die Box Weekend Project

So after I finished wrapping the soaps in some cling wrap stuff and adding the ingredients label to the back I was wondering what I was going to do for additional packaging.  I wanted to dress that soap up a bit more.  I was going to make a box using my Score Pal and card stock.  As I was getting the card stock I saw a little tote I had made using the envelope die.  I took the little notebook out that I had in it and checked to see if the soap would fit and it did!  I was thrilled.  SO next I got the Wild Wasabi card stock and cut out 4 of them.  I stamped them with the Sparkles wheel and colored in the center of the "sparkles" on the front only using my gel pen.

I was able to use a square punch to cut out the window.  I just dropped the sides of the box all the way down to the bottom of the punch and punched it.  I turned it and punched the other side.  I cut a piece of transparency sheet and glued it in.  

Once the glue dried I cut the bottom of the card stock the same width as the sides.  I then glued the sides first and then the bottom.  When you glue these you want to make sure that the flaps on the front piece fold over the back piece.  

Next I punched the oblong opening using the Word Window punch in both layers (one at a time).  Then i took a snowflake I had in my stash and added it to the top of the handle.  I used a brad to keep the top shut.  I also added a snowflake to the bottom corner and added a rhinestone to it to give it a little bling.  And that was it.  What a fun way to dress up a little bar of soap!!

I have 4 peach colored bars I need to dress up and package too!  I'll show you how they turn out when I get them done!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Home for the Holidays Decorated Soap Weekend Project

Stamping on soap?  I didn't think it was possible.  I have always wanted to add a stamped image to bar soap for gift giving but just never knew it was possible and if it was possible (which it is) I also needed to know how.

I had bought some bar soaps a while back at The Dollar Tree and they had some pretty ugly images on them but they smelled nice.  I put them in my storage cupboard and had forgotten about them.  I was looking for something else the other day and saw the soap and noticed the label on top was coming off on one of the bars.  I wasn't surprised that the label was coming off, it was cut a bit too large and it was not added on there very nice.  SO I dug out the 3 packs I bought and set them on my work counter until I finished up the project I was in the middle of.  I took the one bar of soap that had the label coming off and removed it.  It came off so easily and quickly.  Hmmm. The gears began to turn!!!  If I could find an image to stamp and put on the soap I'd be thrilled.  I looked through the catalog in the Christmas section and wasn't finding anything that would fit that I owned.  Then it dawned on me, I got that free "Home for the Holidays" download and headed to my computer to open up that download and see what all was in it.  And lo and behold there was the tree!  I was able to scale it down a bit and make it fit in the area of the soap.  

The next issue was, "what do I stamp it on?"  The original label was sticky on the edges but not in the center.  I figured the center was no longer sticky because it could only stick for so long before it dries up on the soap.  There was nothing left behind on the soap so that is what it had to be.  I would assume there is some amount of moisture in something sticky. 

So then I took out an 8-1/2" x 11" label sheet and put it in my computer. I did run a couple test prints on scrap copier paper to make sure I got the size correct.  I printed out the trees I needed and cut them on the paper cutter.  I removed the backing and and stuck the printed label on the soap!  It worked!!  I was thrilled.  Now all I need to do is wrap them up individually with some type of cling wrap and print out the ingredients label on the back.  I'll just copy the ingredients from the back of the original package.  Simple as that.

This was fun.  I want to try it with some other soaps.  I would need a soap that I can carve a rectangle (or circle??) in without it chipping or crumbling. I recall many (yes, many) years ago I had carved Ivory soap.  I may have to give that a try.  I just need the area recessed an 1/8" at the most.  Then I can add the label.  Though as I'm thinking about this I will probably need to use water on it to smooth off the center so I would have to wait until it dried to add the label.  I'll give it a try and post it on here sometime. But first I may go back to The Dollar Tree to see if they have any more (to save me some carving time!!!).  I want to make a few of these for Christmas stocking stuffer gifts and I'd like to have a few for craft fairs.  I won't add the label until it's closer to the craft fair to avoid the label coming off!

This was a very fun project and now I'm off to wrap them up in some type of clear cling wrap and add that ingredients label!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Christmas Card Gift Set

As  you can tell I didn't get around to posting the card set until today.  It's just such a busy weekend.  A long weekend with Thanksgiving and shopping.  I didn't do a lot of shopping outside the home but I did get some online shopping done.  There are some great buys on line too and there were no lines to stand in or any driving to do either!  I will do my mall shopping after this weekend.  I like to try to stay in a good "holiday spirit" mood and it's kind of hard to do it when the malls are so packed and people are pushing and shoving to get to their great buy find.  It's SO not worth it so I tend to stay home.  Though it seems it has become somewhat of a tradition that my sister and I head for Michael's on Thanksgiving night.  They were open from 4pm  to 10pm this year. I don't know if it is the same as last year, that was a whole year ago to remember something like that!!!

You can view the cards in the box here, here, here and here.  I don't know why the "here's" got underlined but I can't remove them without having to redo the entire "here" and link.  

You can also purchase these clear boxes here. 

I am going to hate to give up that stamp set but I'm sure my sister is going to want to play with it sometime!  Or maybe she only needed 4 cards from the set and she won't want to use it anymore!!! LOL

Thank you SO much for visiting today,

Wanda

Pennant Parade Christmas Tree Card

 So, this card is much like the Christmas stocking card.  Ok, it's exactly like it but there's a tree instead of a stocking and it's in Garden Green!  You can see the original card here (that I obviously did a CASE on!).

I made this same card using the tree because it completes the set of cards I am making for my sister using this set.  She had bought the set and just left it with me.  I LOVE it when people do that!!!  So to thank her I thought I would make her a set of cards using this set.  I am going to post the finished set when I get done with this post. 

You see two of the same card here but one is a little different.  On the bottom one (the final draft) I added rhinestones to the tree.  I was able to use the smallest rhinestones and add on top of two of the dots on the tree image.  It covered the dots and it looks like I was able to put them on so evenly!!  

I think she will like this card assortment and will be very happy to get them!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Happy Thanksgiving Tissue Holder Weekend Project

First I want to wish you all a very Happy and safe Thanksgiving!

Today I have for you a fun tissue holder.  I realized I have not made a tissue holder in over a year!  That's a long time for me.  I have a tote full of these tissues and they are all waiting for holders!  

This one needs a bit of finesse but my project today was to make the holder.  I LOVE these little "Swankie" packs.  I like to buy them after the holidays when they are extremely cheap.  Thus the tote full!  I had a project that I was going to use mine on but that went by the wayside so I am sitting on the tote full.  I will probably and hopefully make them up and try to sell them in the craft fair next year.

Anyway, lets talk about this tissue holder.  I LOVE the leaves on the tissue and I wanted the holder to have leaves too and what better set to use than the "Falling Leaves" set.  It's such a pretty set and I have used it a lot.  Though I think this will be the last time I use it for a long time now.  It seems that the day after Thanksgiving all of a sudden becomes Christmas and everything turns towards the Christmas theme.  Thanksgiving should be moved to the last day of November so December 1st starts the Christmas theme and it would seem right!!!  

I made my own multi-colored ink pad by adding ink drops on a baby wipe.  You can also use a paper towel but dampen it first or you will use a lot more ink than you need to.

Stamp on top of the baby wipe or paper towel and then stamp on your card stock.  I stamped a bunch of leaves all over my card stock after I had cut it out.  I should have waited to score it before I stamped though.  I could see the seam lines.  Once they were folded it didn't show as much, but it wasn't as solid as I would have liked it to be.  

You can do this tissue holder two ways.  It all depends on where your tissue is dispensed from.  The pattern here shows that you can also make the hole in the center.  I like this pattern, it's easy to follow and quick to put together. I get a lot of my plain tissues at The Dollar Tree.  You get 8 or 10 packs for you dollar. Such a deal.  And if selling them at a craft fair it makes for a nice profit margin!  These make great stocking stuffers too when you use the holiday theme ones!!  Though a leaf one may be nice for the guys stocking!!

Have fun with this!  And have a wonderful day!
updated 11-25-11  Oops, I forgot to include the link. It is now added and it will take you to the pattern.
And then later that day the link was once again added correctly!!!!  LOL

Thank you SO much for visiting on your holiday,
Wanda

Wednesday Sketch Challenge Four the Holidays

 Now isn't this an interesting sketch?  This is very much out of my element but it didn't stop me from playing!

I have been back to the gallery at SplitCoastStampers and am enjoying all the different takes on this layout.  That is the one thing I REALLY like about the Sketch Challenges.  There are so many different ways this layout is used.  I chose to do mine as a Christmas card.  I had found a card that had these adorable packages on them and I wanted to give it a try!  SO I got to play with one package and it worked out just fine!  

I did struggle a little with the circles.  I had to punch them out of scrap paper so I could figure out where to punch them on the card stock.  I didn't want to make a mistake so I was very careful as to where I placed those practice circles.  I traced them onto the card stock before I punched them.  I did make a mistake though.  I used the smaller punch on the white piece but it turned out ok.  I was able to punch over it with the larger punch.  Had I done that with the other piece I would have had to replace it entirely. 

What was kind of fun here was that I was able to use the piece of card stock that comes off the scalloped edge.  In doing this it reminded me of a fellow DIVA Juliann that had use that piece in a card swap.  I didn't look at it as being frugal, I looked at it as I needed a strip of card stock for the "ribbon" and that strip was perfect.  I did have to go digging in the recycling basket for it!!!  

This was a fun sketch and a little bit of a challenge for me.  It did take me out of my comfort zone a bit but it was good for me!!  You don't want to get too complacent when making cards, you will tend to keep repeating the same styles over and over!

If you have time give this sketch a try!  What else do you have to do on the day before Thanksgiving?  I have TONS of things to do. I have a little cleaning (just the bathroom and the kitchen table) and I plan to make my day a more relaxed one by writing down what needs to be done when so I can have breaks in between.  I'm working on a beaded bracelet and I would LOVE to finish it tomorrow.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Falling Leaves

I have wanted to make this card for a while now.  About 2 years to be exact.  I saw this on Sue's blog a long time ago and I saved the link so I could find it again and of course to give credit.  I do try to remember to do that when I'm pilfering card samples off the Internet!!!  And most of the time I remember!

I was glad I ran across this in my card sample folder on my computer.  I have hardly used this set and I'm guessing it won't be in the next catalog, just because it's been around for a few years.  I'll be putting that in my web store when it retires!

 This card was a very easy to make too.  All you need is a few colors of ink.  I used Always Artichoke, Cajun Craze and Chocolate Chip.  I think the one Sue had on her blog used Old Olive for the green.  I liked it but I wanted a darker green.  Grab some matching card stock and you are good to go!

I used the ribbon punch and added the tiniest strip of black card stock.  I think it was about 1/8" long.  And I added 3 of the new tiny brads.  I just love those little brads.  You have to click on the photo to see the brads closer.  I made two of these cards and I sent one off in the mail yesterday.  I''m trying to keep up with my card a week quest!  

This was a fun card to make and I LOVED it that it was a quick card too!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Bridal Shower Card

This card looks more pink than blush on here.  The card stock I used was Blushing Bride but the flash must have changed it a bit.  It's a lot darker than in real life.  Now I am ready for the next bridal shower on the 3rd!  I won't have to wake up with eyes as big as silver dollars and run down to my workroom without a few cups of coffee in me first!!!  I'm actually ready for this event!!! (A first time in a very long time!). 

SO here's the scoop on this fun card:  the base of this card is Whisper White.  Inside I used some leftover pieces of the "Specialty Paper Bride" and a scrap piece of 28# copier paper.  On the front I used some more of the specialty paper, Whisper White and Blushing Bride and a piece of vellum.  

I got the tutorial for the gift holder at SplitCoastStampers.  It is a VERY easy tutorial to follow.  I did watch the video and then later just followed the step by step instructions.  I like and don't like videos at the same time. I like them if they save me time by having the items taped, punched, die cut, embossed, etc. ahead of time.  I think all of us know how to remove the sticky stuff off the back of the tape and we all know how to punch, die cut and even fold a card in half.  Those things should just be omited from the videos to save the view time.  I often fast forward through all that.  And many times I don't even bother watching the video if the instructions look detailed enough.  This video had a lot of watching the maker remove tape and fold and score paper.   Anyway, I got the inside all put together and then decorated the outside of my card.  I liked how it turned out and I think my daughter-in-law to be will too.  

In the instructions the gal has you cut off the flap of the little envelope that comes with the gift card.  My gift card didn't have an envelope so what I did was I took some heavier copier paper and I wrapped a strip around the gift card and taped it in the back.  I did leave a bit of room for the gift card to move back and forth a little.  I didn't want it so tight that the gift card wouldn't come out.  I didn't close up the bottom of the sleeve either.  The bottom of the sleeve touches the card stock and it wouldn't be going anywhere.  I only needed an opening on the top and the end result is, I had an opening on the top!!  

The card is a bit bulky but there is no way to avoid that.  And because it is bulky you won't be able to mail it without it costing you extra for the thickness and maybe extra for the weight of the card too, it's feels a bit heavy.  Fortunately for me I'll be hand delivering my card!!!

This is a very attractive way to display a gift card!  And I love how it is designed too!  If you have time, give this a try!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Bridal Shower Card

I woke up Saturday morning with eyes as big as silver dollars.  I remembered I needed to make a shower card for my daughter-in-law to be and the shower was in a few hours!  I had totally forgot I about the card.  

I went to SplitCoastStampers and found this one done by Susie B.  Once again I didn't have all of the same materials as she did but I went with what I had and it worked out just fine.  From the Cuttlebug embossing folder to the flower on the waistline.  My card is a bit different in other ways too.  I added the scalloped oval with the words done on my computer.  I added the layers on the inside of the card but the original one doesn't have any layers.  I added layers because I had found some nice words for the inside and I needed it printed out on the computer and since the card was already made I had to print on a piece of card stock and cut some layers and get it put inside the card.   The layers did show through the scalloped lace trim at the bottom of the dress but it did work out anyway.

I made the front of this card 3 times.  When it was time to put it through the embossing folder I would look at it and think about how to do it and then I would end up doing the embossing backwards!  The third time was a charm!!! I want to make another one so I can have it for a sample. It's such a sweet shower card.  It would also make a great wedding card but it does look more like a shower card. 

Anyway, the shower was a lot of fun and the candies I made the other day went over well. You can see those by clicking here. 

I have another shower to go to on the 3rd.  Her side of the family is putting it on and I need another card. SO I am going to be making that card this week so I don't have to wake up and fly down to my workroom to create.  I don't mind being in here but it's usually after a few cups of coffee!! LOL

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Serene Snowflakes Christmas Card

I saw a card that Chat at Me My Stamps and I blog and I just loved it so I HAD to make it.  (please note that her site contains music so you may want to be ready with your volume button and because of the music it takes a bit longer to load) So back to this beautiful card.  I didn't have the stamp set she used but I did find a snowflake in the "Serene Snowflakes" set that worked just fine.

I used satin ribbon instead of the grosgrain ribbon.  I didn't have the same "Merry Christmas" that Chat used but I did find one that fit.  Mine is from the "Four the Holidays" set.  I added a tiny rhinestone to the "i" in Christmas. If you squint you can see it!!! LOL  Just click on the photo and it will enlarge and you can see the details then.

When I made my version of this card I stamped the two snowflakes in the corners and then added the one in the center.  It seemed like the best way to do them.  

The colors here are very simple, Whisper White and Marina Mist.  I have to say that Marina Mist is one of my favorite colors and I've probably bought about 10 packs of it since the new catalog came out!!!  I think I have one full pack left.  I even used it on our Christmas cards this year!!  And now that I'm thinking about it, since I have them done I should print out the mailing labels so I can get them all finished up on Thanksgiving weekend and get them in the mail the following Monday!!  I have not been this early with my Christmas cards in years!! I LOVE it.  Though I shouldn't be bragging about it yet, I still have to sign them, add a letter to a few of them and get the labels and stamps on plus seal them up!!!  So they are not 100% ready to go but I'm hoping that Thanksgiving weekend it will all come together for me.  

This was a very quick and easy card to make.  I just wish there was something else to use for the ribbon bow so it wouldn't cost extra to mail.  Though I will probably make a few to add to Christmas gifts since I LOVE the card so and want to make sure a few of my friends and family get to see it. 

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Beautiful Fall Card

I totally did a CASE on this card from Linda at Linda's Stampin Loft.  I think it was the leaves that really attracted me the most to this card.  Though the whole card itself is beautiful I am SO drawn to the leaves.  I love fall almost as much as I LOVE winter!  

Two days ago I made a card for the Wednesday Sketch Challenge and I used those leaves.  Though when I posted the card I couldn't remember where I found them.  I know there is this "history" thing on my computer to backtrack my steps but I can't find it on here!  And I obviously don't use it or I would know where it is!!!

I did make a couple of changes to the card only because I didn't have the same items.  My leaves are a bit different, I think her punch was a Martha Stewart one that punches the leaves and embosses the veins in at the same time.  I didn't know what set was used for the inside of the embossed frame and I couldn't find the flower that she used.  Oh and I didn't have the black checkered ribbon either.  The wording stamp background that I used came from the Flores suaves set.  I'm not sure if it's in the catalog or not.  I bought it last year but it's not in English so I'm doubting it's in the catalog.  I just thought it was a pretty set.  I don't remember where the flower came from but to put it on the card I stamped the whole thing in Old Olive and then I stamped it on another piece of card stock using More Mustard.  Then I sponged it with Cajun Craze and finally I cut each flower out and taped them in place over the green stamped images.  

I also love the three layers of punched borders.  I never thought of layering that many before and it sure does give it a nice look.  I wish I could remember all the wonderful little aspects of cards and use each one on card creation and see what I get. But alas, once I am done with this one it will be put in a drawer and I won't see it for a long time again or unless a stamper takes it out to make it.  It will be forgotten and so with the fun little aspects that I loved in it from the beginning!!!

I am still pleased with how my card came out and the gals stamping last night really liked it.  Though the card of the night was the stocking one that I did a CASE on a couple of weeks ago using the Stitched Stocking stamp set and punch.  How easy it is to make that card!  I helped Sharon make 30 of them.  No, she didn't get them all done last night, but we did get all the pieces cut out so she could assemble the rest of them at home!  I was happy to help her! 

Anyway, back to this card.  I just thought it was SO pretty that I had to make it.  I want to play with this layout on a Christmas card and see what images I can find to fit the idea that is floating around in my head!!!  Wish me luck on that one!!! LOL

I am now off to the bead shop for the girls night out!  I LOVE the third Friday of the month!  Beading and chatting with friends and fellow beaders and getting to meet and know new beaders/friends too! It's so much fun and a great way to finish up some of those beading projects that just sit around!  I will be working on the necklace I am thinking I want to wear to the wedding in January!  Wish me luck on that one too!!! LOL

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Candy Gift Basket Weekend Project

This coming Saturday is the bridal shower (one of them) for my daughter-in-law to be.  I bought a bunch of candies and stamped 3 sheets of labels in fall colors.  I did make belly bands for around the candies.  It makes the candies easier to unwrap and if you were to put these in some type of packaging to sell at craft fairs you would need to use the belly bands in accordance with the Hershey company's compliance policy.  Even though I am not selling these I did use the belly band just for the convenience of unwrapping them. It didn't take long at all to wrap up almost 100 candies.  I had bought some Bliss candies too and wrapped them but they weren't as easy to wrap as the Nuggets were.  Though the label did fit around the Bliss candies it was a little wider and Bliss are more domed an all 4 sides so it made label gap on two sides.  

Anyway, I got these all wrapped and I put them in a basket so they were ready to go to the shower.  But the basket needed something more so I looked in my stash of ribbons and found this fun fall ribbon and added it to the top of the basket.  It was just what the handle needed!!!  You can click on the photo for a closer view of the basket and candies.  

Here is a tip for you when stamping on labels (other than the belly band compliance thing).  Labels have a different surface than the Whisper White card stock so the image is not always how you would like it to be.  I got better image prints when I huffed on the stamp before I lined it up on the label.  I was much happier with the end result.  

I think they will be a big hit at the shower!  In the Holiday set there is one for Thanksgiving so I may make a few for next week! Gosh, can you believe that a week from today is Thanksgiving???  Where is the time going?

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Wednesday Sketch Challenge Fall Card

This is the card I made for this weeks Sketch Challenge over at SplitCoastStampers.  Now this sketch was right up my alley because of all the layers it has! I SO love layers and this one had my name on it!!!  

I surfed the net to find some fall words and I came up with these.  I liked what I read and it just seemed to fit with the leaves.  I had the leaves already done for a different card.  That "different" card is a fun one and I am going to make it but I have to find out where I got it from.  I closed the website and now I can't find it.  UGH!!  I took the leaves I had made and used them in the #3b,c,d panels.  When I saw the sketch I was torn between snowflakes there or the leaves.  Since I had the leaves done I ran with them.  Besides there were only 2 samples in the gallery for this sketch and both had snowflakes in those panels.  SO I figured I should do something else instead.  I glanced over at the leaves and decided I should go with them and make that card another time.  Another time when I can give the designer the credit she is due.

I loved these words and used my computer to print them out on Very Vanilla card stock.  The decorative papers are from the Cloud 9 Design pack.  I have a bunch of those decorative paper pads and very seldom use them. 

The leaves are from a Martha Stewart punch.  The gal who made the original card (that I can't find yet) had 3 leaves on it and these leaves had veins in them.  The punch she used must have punched and dry embossed the veins at the same time.  Well, I didn't have that punch so I punched out the leaves and then took my stylus and "drew" on some veins.  Then I sponged the edges of the leaves.  The Old Olive leaves were sponged using Always Artichoke and the More Mustard leaf was sponged with Cajun Craze.  And that was it for ink on my card.  This is a rare occasion that I didn't use any stamps and very little ink!  It was a nice change but I don't think I will do it too often, it was a bit out of my comfort zone!!!  But occasionally and for a sketch works for me!

This was a very fun card to make too and it didn't take all that long!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Pennant Parade Christmas Card

Here is another Pennant Parade card for the pack I am making for my sister.  She let me borrow her stamp set and I'm making some cards for her to thank her.  I have one more to make but first I have to blog surf for it or maybe come up with an original one!  Imagine that! LOL

I saw the card that Chat at "Me My Stamps and I" had on her blog and I thought I would copy it.  I didn't have the same word stamp as she did so I used what I had. In doing that I wasn't able to CASE her card.  SO I changed it a bit.  I turned it on the side and I spread the trees out a bit more.  I didn't have the big ribbon that she had used either so I didn't add any.  I had punched out a piece of the Real Red card stock using the Ribbon Punch but while I was putting the card together I forgot to add it behind the image.  It's a little plain but I know my sister is going to love it!

Everything was punched out cut out on here but none of it took long at all.  This was a fun card to make and I am adding it to the clear box of cards for my sister.  I'll show you the box when I'm all done with these cards.  Off to surf for another card using this set or to get inspired to create my own.  I am SO loving the CASE thing lately!!  It's giving my brain a break!

Thank you ever so much for visiting today,
Wanda

Masculine Birthday CASE Card

I was blog surfing and wound up at Inkspired Treasures run by Connie B.  I saw this card and there was something about it that just called my name.  She has a color challenge every week but I don't do them.  I have too many other things going on and I can only do the Wednesday Sketch Challenge over at SplitCoastStamers. I would love to do other challenges but I just can't at this time. As fun as they look I have to tell myself no!  

I didn't play along with this challenge.  I  just copied Connie's card, sort of.  Well, mostly!  I used the colored decorative papers that I had and I also turned the card upside down.  With the stripes and polka dots it just looked funny the other way.  Turning it worked and I liked the outcome.  And because the ribbon is a knot and not a bow I can use this for a masculine birthday card!! These really are great colors for a guy card!

*CASE = Copy And Study Everything

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Field Flowers Birthday Cards

Field Flowers has to be one of my most favorite flower stamps.  I needed to make two birthday cards.  Hubby's twin sisters had a birthday this month!  Making cards for them is easy because I just make two at the same time.  All the supplies are sitting out, that makes the card making quick.  My sister's have different birthdays so I usually make them different cards.  We even buy his sister's the same gifts too!

These cards were fun to make.  I LOVE two step stamping.  I did use my Stamp-a-ma-jig for these cards.  I wanted to get the outline image on exactly where it is suppose to be.  I didn't want to just guess, though sometimes that makes a very pretty and different card too!

I saw this image used on SplitCoastStampers and the colors the gal used were Riding Hood Red and Calypso Coral.  I didn't think the two would go together very well until I saw it for myself.  The Riding Hood Red was used as the outline part of the flower which made the coral color glow a little!  

The base of this card is white with a layer of Calypso Coral on top of that.  Then the stamped white panel was added on top of that. 

The stem of the flower was done in Always Artichoke.  A green I thought would be too dark.  I usually head for the Garden Green or Wild Wasabi.  I do like how the artichoke looks with these colors.

These cards were not only fun to make but easy too!  

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Tags Till Christmas

I totally forgot I had this set.  And I also forgot what a fun set it is!! I LOVE making Christmas tags and I need to start making some now so I'm not bogged down making them as I need them next month when I will be on top of my gift wrapping!!  I wish!  LOL

When I was looking for the tree cards for my sister I found this card by the same card maker Pdncurrier on SplitCoastStampers.  There was just something about this card that made me want to make it.  I don't know if it was the snowman (because I just LOVE snowmen) or if it's the white on white look that I just love too!  Though I was thinking about changing the white ring around the snowman image with a Night of Navy one.  What do you think?  Other than that question about the card I just love it.  

This card is a shaker card!  I used the new shaker frames for the backing.  It makes doing shaker cards go a lot quicker, well for the round ones anyway.  I hope they come out with square ones too!  It's not like I can't make them myself but when they are all cut out for you so perfectly it's just neater and easier to use!  I get so spoiled by some things!!!  I like nice and I like easy when it comes to making cards!

On this card I do like the three jingle bells and the white Baker's Twine.  It gave it a nice touch!  

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Pennant Parade Christmas Trees

I found this fun card on SplitCoastStampers.  It was made by Pdncurrier.  I was hunting for some cards made using the tree stamps and the punch for my sister.  Well, I wasn't actually finding them for her, I was trying to find some samples to make so I can give them to her.  She bought this set and left it here for me to play with.  I haven't played with it much until now.  I did make one other card with it a while back and I just left the set on my work counter and piled it high with other papers and junk!  While going through some of that stuff I ran across her stamp set and thought I should find some wonderful samples out there that are easy enough for her to make.  I ran across this card and had to copy it. 

The base of this card is done using Garden Green card stock. On top of that is a layer of Cherry Cobbler cut 3-1/8" x 4-1/4".  On top of that is a piece of decorative paper from the Frostwood Lodge pack.  It was cut at 3" x 4-1/4".  

The trees were stamped using Garden Green ink and punched out. The center tree has a scalloped triangle punch behind it.  And yes, all of the trunks were cut out by hand.  Too bad there wasn't a punch made for them!  The wording came with the set and I used the Word Window punch in it.  The "ribbon" behind it is just a piece of Chocolate Chip card stock cut 1/2" wide and 4" long.  The center piece where the words are was added using Dimensionals and that piece measures 2" x 1/2".  The Cherry Cobbler piece was added on with Dimensionals and so was the center tree.  And when you are all done just add a rhinestone to the top of the tree and it's all done!

Isn't it great?  SO easy to do.  A little time consuming cutting the tree pots out but they weren't that bad.  The card took less than 20 minutes to make and that was from starting out without any measurements!  The next one will go a lot faster!  I think my sister will be pleased with this gem! I want to put them in one of those plastic card holders with 3 more cards and the envelopes, decorated of course! *winks at Ann!*

This would also make a great Stamp-A-Stack card.  I have a few other cards that work well for Stamp-A-Stacks, just click on the link to see them.  I don't have many labeled as such but there are a few in that category now.  You can check the other 600+ cards I have and I'm sure you will find some that will work well for not only the Stamp-A-Stack but for your Make N Take.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

And the Winner Is.....

I have been waiting a LONG time to use this picture!  I thought it was so darn cute and very appropriate for this post!  When Sponge Bob first came out it was a show I never watched.  Mostly because we didn't have any little kids in the house at the time!  So when I would catch cute things like this going around the net or hear funny things about him I called him Square Bob Sponge Pants because that is what I thought his name was.  One of my girlfriends just cracked up when she heard me say it that way.  I remember giving her a funny look because I didn't think I said anything wrong. I didn't lisp and I didn't spit when I said it, I just didn't understand what was so funny.  Then she told me.  But the damage was already done, I could never say his name right.  Even as I began typing this paragraph I started typing Square instead of Sponge!!!  Old habits die hard!!

Ok, enough prattling.  You want to know who the winner is.  I used the Random Number Generator (you can find a link to it on the side bar on the right of my blog, just scroll WAY down) and the number that came up was #20.  And the winner of the blog candy is Athena and here is what her comment was:

5 years! That's a lot of blogging! Congratulations. What keeps me stamping - I have all these ideas that swim around in my head and every now and then I have to give in and let them out. There are so many fun and intriguing stamps out there that it's hard NOT to create! Your inspiration doesn't hurt either! Thanks Wanda!    Athena :0))

I thank you all for playing along.  It's great to hear where you get your inspiration.  Sometimes I find myself web surfing and passing up lots of great cards and projects because I'm just not motivated to do them.  The inspiration is there but some days I just lack motivation.  Lately I have been on a different mission.  I have been looking for cards made using certain stamp sets and running with that.  I need to change up the "theme" of my hunting to give myself a bit of variety and a different direction to move in.  Whatever works, right?  

Ok, back to the Blog Candy.  Athena, please email me with your snail mail information before Monday the 14th.  I will be going to the post office on Tuesday and getting the package sent off to you!  

Thank you all for playing along.  I will have my usual New Year's Day Blog Candy coming up!  You have to have something to start the New Year off with!  And if you live in the upper mid-west like I do (though I feel Minnesota is really the upper middle of the USA!!!), you will want something to play with while you are snowed in with 8 hours (if you are lucky) of daylight!  I'm not complaining there, I do like the short daylight hours in the winter.  I LOVE turning my lamp on in the living room at 4:30.  It has a warm cozy feel to it.  You know you still have a long evening ahead of you.  In the summer it's not such a warm cozy feeling.  For one thing the air conditioner is probably running and it's more than likely late in the evening.  You don't have those few hours to settle in.  It's dark and it's late and soon it's (suppose) to be bedtime!  I actually saw snow today.  It wasn't flakes, it was those little pellet kind and there weren't very many of them.  I am waiting for a nice wet snow to make a snowman that will last the rest of the winter!! 

WOW, I rambled!!! LOL

Thank you SO much for stopping by today,
Wanda 

Beautiful Season Wednesday Sketch Challenge

 You know me and layers!!!  This Sketch Challenge had my name written all over it!  I LOVE layers, LOTS of layers and this sketch delivered that!

First I stamped the bird and the holly.  The bird is from Beautiful Season and the holly is from Bells & Boughs.  I stamped the bird twice.  I needed to cut one out.  I used black StazOn ink for the bird and the holly.  I set them aside and cut my card stock.

My card stock is from the Cloud 9 Designer pack.  This pack is called Harvest Holiday.  I had gotten it a while back.  It was probably in August when the fall stuff was just starting to hit the shelves.  This pack covers Halloween, Thanksgiving/Fall and Christmas.  It's got lots of fun beautiful papers in it.  If you are a Stampin' Up! demonstrator I'm sure you can find some other papers to substitute for these.

I cut out one bird and I set the other one in my oval Nestability and cut it out on my Big Kick.  I also cut a scallop out with the Nestabilities too.  The Holly leaves from the Bells & Boughs set were cut out and set in place using Dimensionals.  The bird was also set in place using Dimensionals.  I colored the images before I cut them out.  I used markers and a blender pen to do my coloring.  I wanted to keep the color light enough on the bird and that was the best way to achieve that. 

This was a fun sketch to play with.  I'm not sure I would do it again anytime soon though.  As much as I LOVE the Nestabilities, I don't like getting them out to use them.  I much prefer punches.  

Oh, I almost forgot.  The words are from the Four the Holidays set.  I just love the font on here. 

This card has such a warm feel to it.  It makes me want to start setting some Christmas things out around the house!!!  But I won't, I can wait at least a couple more weeks to do that.  We usually don't decorate until the day after Thanksgiving (at the earliest).  

If you have time, give this sketch a try!  And so what if it has a lot of layers.  That is why it's called a challenge.  You need to step outside your comfort zone now and then and try something new.  Challenge yourself to do at least one of these sketches a month!  Soon you will find that you are hooked!!

Don't forget to leave a comment for the blog candy drawing.  Just click here to be taken to that post.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

On Your Birthday in Black & White

UGH!  I didn't think I was going to have a photo for my blog tonight!  I usually resize them before I put them on the blog so they don't take up so much space.  Blogger does have a limit to how much space you can have for free!  Anyway, to resize my photos I usually just email them to myself.  Microsoft Outlook asks what size I want to send it, I pick the size and off it goes.  I open the email and slide the photo into a file on my desktop and I'm ready to begin the post!  But tonight the email program decided to just hang there and hang there and hang there.  It was SO frozen that it didn't even want to restart either!!  A big UGH on that one!  So I did the soft boot thing and got the Task Manager to come up and I closed the program from there.  And as you can see I have a photo for this post!!! 

This card was not only fun but easy to make too.  I used the designer Neutrals paper on a layer of Basic Black card stock.  I tied a ribbon around it and taped it in place.  I did use the Red Line or Sticky Strip tape (they are exactly the same product, just different names).  I don't think the double sided tape runners were strong enough to hold that much fabric down.  SO I get it all taped in place and then decided I wanted to put the circle and scallop under it!!! Another UGH for this post!!!

After I got the words stamped on the circle I layered them on top of the scallop.  I added some tape to the back and slid it under the ribbon layer.  I added a few rhinestones and it was done.  See, I told you it was easy!!

If you need a fun, quick and yet pretty card, this layout is the way to go!

Don't forget about the blog candy!!  And as usual, I have been adding to the blog candy!  Those of you who have won blog candy from me in the past know they get more fun stuff than what is posted!!!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,

Wanda

Gently Falling Thanksgiving Card

When I stamped the leaf from the "Gently Falling" set I stamped three of them.  I never usually get them right the first time.  I stamped three of them using VersaMark and heat embossed them with gold embossing powder. 

I used Daffodil Delight, More Mustard and Pumpkin Pie in pads for the colors.  I took a sponge dauber and just added the colors beginning with the lightest.  I covered the whole leaf with the Daffodil Delight.  I then added the More Mustard and along the main veins I added Pumpkin Pie.  That was it, as simple as that.  I did this before I cut the leaf out.  I didn't want the sponges to catch on the leaf tips or on the stem and bending them.  I had colored all three of the leaves at the same time and each one looks different.  I still have one left and I am thinking of using it on a Weekend Project.  I added a link on the weekend project words so you can see all of them I have on my blog.  There's over 170 of them!!!  There's enough projects there to keep you busy for a few days!!!  And I'm sure there is something in there that will spark your interest and creativity!

Ok, back to my card.  The words came from the "Falling Leaves" set.  I forgot what a little gem that set is!

This was a very fun and fairly quick card to make.  All in all it was under 20 minutes from start to finish (not including all the decision making as to what colors to use!! I think that is one of the most difficult parts of card making.  But once I get the colors I want to use then the rest is easy!

This card is going out in my weekly card mailing!  One of my friends will be receiving this card sometime this week.  I have been faithful about sending out a card a week!  Now our family Christmas card won't count in the card a week, that is a totally different thing!!  SO, someone may get two cards from me in one week, our family Christmas card and a friendly hello card from me!  I am really enjoying sending out these cards.  It may take me a couple of years to get through all my friends!!  I may have to increase it to two a week!! LOL

Don't forget to leave your comment on yesterday's post for the Blog Candy to celebrate my 5 years of blogging!

Thank you every so much for visiting my blog today,
Wanda

It's Blog Candy Time

I began this blog this day in 2006!  That sounds SO long ago now.  I have been posting every day since then.  Though I think I may have missed a day once a year but for the most part I post every day and I still love it.

So to celebrate my 5 years of blogging I am giving this stamp set to the winner of the drawing.  

To have a chance at winning this you will need to leave a comment to this post.  In your comment, tell me what keeps you motivated to stamp?  I will draw a name on Thursday November 10th.

Thank You SO much for being faithful followers of my blog.  I have enjoyed posting to it and will continue for some time to come!

Please comment to this post only and it is open to USA and Canadian residents only.

Good luck to you all, 

Wanda

Stitched Stockings Christmas Card

Isn't this card sweet?  I saw it on one of Terri's sample boards at her last Technique Tuesday class.  I was there to help out and assist her.  I had such a great time and it was wonderful to see all the great stamping gals!

I didn't use the same size scallop or circle punches but the ones I did use worked out just fine.  Also there was the new waffled ribbon used on the card but I didn't buy any of that but I did use the ribbon punch and it worked out just fine. And my words were a different font but it still looks fine.  I like the card this was and the original way too, though this one is not that far from the original!  I do not know who made this card so if you do, could you please let me know so I can give that person credit? I would appreciate it very much!

I showed the photo of the card I took to my daughter-in-law to be and she loved it.  She wants to make it for their Christmas card this year.  I am sure I will be helping her with some of the components.  Actually, I already have.  I had punched out some circles for her.  I had dry embossed a 1/4 sheet and I only needed 3 circles so there was still space on the piece so I used it up.  I have a few circles ready, a ribbon strip and a couple of stockings too!!  It would be nice to have all the components all done for her so we can just stick everything together and make it a quick Christmas card assemblage day!  This time of the year anything we can get done quickly is wonderful!! I will save the stamping for her. I want her to feel like she is doing something personal on the cards!

Thank you every so much for visiting today,
Wanda

Card Buffet Quality Christmas Card!

I had gotten an Archiver's magazine/brochure in the mail the other day and as I was looking through it my eye caught this one card sample.  I LOVED the layout and as I was looking at it I thought I could use Stampin' Up! supplies to make one similar.  

The original card had used some bakers twine and it was tied across the card like I did with the Real Red ribbon and their ornament was up a bit higher on the card and had that twine attached to it as well.

I did have the twine but I didn't think it worked well with my decorative paper so I used the ribbon instead.  

This is a remarkably easy and quick card to make.  The embossing took about the longest and we all know embossing just one image like this doesn't take long at all.  That gives you an idea as to how quick and easy this card is to make.  It would be a great card for a swap or a Card Buffet!

I am adding this to my pile of Christmas cards I will be packaging up this year since I am all done with our Christmas cards.  All but signing them, addressing them and sending them out.  I am done making them!!  

Be sure to stop back and check out the fun Blog Candy I will have here in a few days!!!  I LOVE celebrating!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

It's a Wrap Give Thanks Candies

The It's a Wrap Holidays and the It's a Wrap sets are so fun to play with.  I will be making some for the bridal shower later this month for my daughter-in-law to be.  YIKES!  The wedding will be here sooner than I think.  The holidays are coming up so fast and it will be Christmas in no time and 2 weeks after that is the wedding.  I also want to make these candies for the Groom's Dinner.  We are having that the week before the wedding.  It was too difficult to work in the rehearsal dinner because of the location and time so we decided to have a Groom's Dinner the week before.  This way we can all have time to relax and visit with everyone and enjoy the time instead of feeling rushed to get home and take care of the last minute things before the wedding the next day.  SO much less stress this way!  We just checked out the party room the other night to see what we need to decorate it up a bit.  The room is just splendid the way it is but I will be adding a few small centerpieces to a couple of the round tables in there.  It will be lovely!  It will be easy.  And it will be a relaxing time!  I look forward to sitting in front of the fireplace and enjoying the evening!

Anyway, back to my candies.  I wanted to see if the Hershey Miniatures would work for these and they do.  There is more of the candy wrapper showing on the sides but it does work.  For this pack I used the dark chocolate candies.  I liked the color of the wrapper that showed.  It just seemed to blend in with the other colors used.  I did make a belly band for the wrappers.  I cut the belly band about the same width as the mailing label and I cut it about a 1/2" longer.  I wrapped the belly band around the candy and then the stamped label. I made sure I was able to get it to wrap around just right so the label held it all together without having to use tape or glue. It's hard to explain how I did it but once you see the belly band wrapped around the candy, you will know where to start the label.  

This was a very fun little project and I have a special gal in mind for it!  I do think the front needs a little something more to dress it up. I tried using a Spectrum Pad for this but I wasn't able to get enough color cut out on here.  I had rolled several of these on card stock and then picked the best one.  And by that I mean the best stamped image, not so much the color.  I may add some ribbon or maybe on of those other leaves I have in waiting from yesterdays post!!

One thing I did do was I added a piece of card stock to the back of the candies, inside the bag. This made the candies stay in place better and gave some stiffness to the whole bag.  Plus it gave it a more professional look. And I also stamped the Stampin' Up! copyright on the back just in case I decide to make a bunch of them and sell them at the craft fair this weekend.  But if I do that the front will need a bit more finesse!  

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Gently Falling Wednesday Sketch Challenge

 Yup, I'm using the Gently Falling and Hand-Penned Holidays sets again.  And no, they weren't just sitting out so I grabbed them. I had actually cleaned the ink off the rubber and put them back on the shelf!!

But I did actually think of cannibalizing the last card for the leaf!!  Kind of an icky term isn't it?  I learned it from Sara a fellow stamper and blogger.  You can check her blog out here.  I did end up stamping another leaf. I stamped 3 of them to be exact and I colored all three of them but I only cut one out.  I'll save the remaining two for another time.  What do you want to bet I use the Hand-Penned Holidays set with it again?  LOL

The decorative paper is from a small 6.5" x 4.5" paper stack by DCWV that I had gotten a while back at Joann's called "The High School" MatStack.  I have several of these MatStacks and most of them are not even open.  What's up with that?  It's time to use these papers.  For you Stampin' Up! demonstrators you can just substitute some designer series paper in place of the paper I used and your card will be entirely made of Stampin' Up! materials.  I looked for some fall colored Stampin' Up! paper for that #2 panel but I didn't have any so I thought it was time to play with the papers I have.  

I did add some Dimensionals to the leaf. I wanted it raised up on the card, especially since I wanted some of that leaf to be offset over the white part of the card.  

I added some brads to the corner and I called it done!  I will be using this card to send out to someone on my friends list.  The weekly card I send out. I have a lot of friends and it's going to take a LOT of weeks to get to the end of my list!!  

If you have time I highly recommend you play with this sketch.  And if you don't like to play along you can head on over to SplitCoastStampers and see what others have done with this layout. I just love seeing other peoples take on the sketch!

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda

Gently Falling Thanksgiving Card

I LOVE November and I LOVE making cards like this.  And these couldn't have come at a better time.  I'm still sending out my card a week to friends to let them know I am thinking of them and these cards are perfect for me to send!!!  

I had a lot of fun making this card.  I LOVE sponging and I have to say it's probably one of my most favorite techniques to do.  Sponging on the edges is fine but sponging in the color/colors is the best!  And it's very effective too.  Sponging in these leaves makes them look almost real.  This leaf has to be my favorite from the Gently Falling set.  I use it all the time!! Though there is a love/hate relationship with this image.  I'm not a big fan of cutting it out but once I am done I am back to loving the leaf again!!! LOL  

The Give Thanks is from the Hand-Penned Holidays set.  I have used it a couple of times and think it's such a lovely font.  

I don't remember what the background embossing folder is called but I love the way it goes with the stripes in the decorative paper.  It takes away from the flat look of a simple white background.  I LOVE it that I can still use the white but it's a bit more dressed up now!  Such fun and a nice technique!

This is a great card for a swap or a stamp a stack because it really doesn't take that long to make.

Thank you SO much for visiting today,
Wanda