Belted Kingfisher

Belted Kingfisher

Thursday, December 17, 2020

Sparkle and Shine

 If you are ever in a hurry and need some quick Christmas cards, my cards today are just that.  And so easy to mass produce.  Everything today is from the Gina K Sparkle and Shine card kit.  I've never bought her kits before and for what was included in the kit was well worth the money. 

I have 4 cards to share, using images from 2 of the 3 stamps sets that are included in the kit.  These pictures seem a bit dark, lighting was terrible, dark and gloomy day, but they are so pretty in real life!

For my first one I embossed the ornament in gold, these are 3 stamps to this, the ornament, the hanger and then the bow.  I embossed the sentiment onto some white c/s, trimmed it out using a MFT flag end die, then added some gold sequins.





I'm using the Christmas tree for this one, again embossed in gold, and also embossed the sentiment in gold onto the same dark green c/s.  I sponged some distress ink rustic wilderness around the edges. Added some red rhinestones to finish off.

 


The next 2 cards are the same, except one is embossed in gold and one in silver.  I embossed the tapestry stamp twice, once from the top and the other from the bottom onto some SU Bermuda Bay c/s.  Once embossed I sponged the same ink around the edges for the embossed piece to darken it up.  The sentiment I used for this one is actually from Papertrey Ink  from the Beautiful Berries: Winter set. To finish this one off I added some gold pearls


same as above, but I used silver embossing powder some silver pearls to finish off.



Thank you for stopping by.  Keep well and be safe!

Pauline




Monday, December 14, 2020

Metallic poinsettia

 I'm back today to share another Christmas card.  This one is using Simon Says Stamps Center Cut Holiday Floral.  The center 'peace' is removable, so you could put a different sentiment if you wanted to.

First of all, sorry about how this picture isn't the best.  Yesterday was very gloomy and dark, so I had a really hard time photographing my cards.

I started by embossing the image onto some black cardstock using gold embossing powder.

To paint I am using something very old, not sure if they still sell these or not, but it is from USArtquest watercolour palette, this one is pearlescent and metallic.  Just spritz each little colour with some water, mix it up with your paintbrush and you are good to go.



Once everything was dry, which really doesn't take that long, I trimmed it down, layered it onto some brushed gold cardstock, then onto black for my card base.

I embossed the center again separately, then cut it out using a spellbinder circle die, added some black fun foam behind to pop it up.

To finish off I added some jewels from Studio Katia.

I think I am pretty much finished my Christmas cards for this year, just mailing out my last of them today, but I do have some more Christamas cards to share, and probably will continue to work on Christmas so I can get a head start on next years.

As always, I appreciate your visit! Have a wonderful day.

Pauline


Thursday, December 10, 2020

Refreshing Florals

 Hello everyone! I hope you are all doing well. I was going through my cards that I have not shared and I only have a couple left.  I really need to get on the bank wagon and get some 'new' cards produced, rather than re-make older ones.  But most times for my orders  people ask for ones that I have previously made, so don't want to bore you with those.

Anyhoo, a while back I found some water colour paper at Micheals (cheap price and cheap paper!).  Sometimes you just never know how the paper will work.  Well I  wasn't overly impressed by it.  It is rougher than normal, but quite heavy. I also found that the water colours DO NOT move on this... grrrr.

I started by smooshing the background, which I really liked. I stamped the floral vase from PB Refreshing set using black archival ink.


Painting the image was a struggle, as like I mentioned the paints soaked up so fast, it was difficult to make them blend, but I did my bet.

Once coloured, I cut it out using MFT cross stitch rectangle dies, then added a bit of splatter.

I used Nuvo clear glitter pen for the flowers, I took a close up for you to see the shimmer below.




For the sentiment I used one of Simon Says sentiment strips and foiled it using some rose gold foil.  It is so pretty in real. To finish I added some crystals.

Despite the struggle I had with painting this, I really like how it turned out.  I might have to persevere and make another as this one was sent out in one of my card orders. Sad thing is I don't even remember what inks I used to colour with.  Oh memory is a wonderful thing when it works!

I'm off until Tuesday now, my plan is to work on some new cards.  Thank you so much for visiting today.

Hugs and take care,

Pauline







Monday, December 7, 2020

Darling Deer

 Here we are approx 2.5 weeks until Christmas, can you believe it?  For a year that it has been, I must say the weeks have flown by rather quickly.  How are your Christmas cards coming along?  All done or still working at them? For me I have a couple more to make, along with a few birthday's that are coming up this month as well.

My cards for today, actually I made it a few years ago, but never sent it out to anyone, so thought I would remake a few more, which makes for a fast (or faster) card to mass produce.  They are all the same, just changed up the colours, washi tape, sentiment and a different reindeer.











Reindeer is by Tim Holtz - Sizzix  Darling Deer die set, I used washi tape and printed c/s by Alexandra Renke, Tag dies are from Sizzix - Fancy tags, I used a much older dies set from SB for the little tag I stamped the sentiment on, silk ribbon, the leafy holly sprigs are from Find It - Jeanine's Art frosty ornaments set. For the tags I used metallic shimmer paper as well as for my card bases.  Back ground paper is from my scrap basket.

To finish them all off I added some clear mini dots to each.

It's a short week for me this week, just working Mon, Tues & Wed, then off until Tuesday.  Still using up vacation days for this year.

Thank you for stopping by.  Have a wonderful day, stay safe, keep well!

Pauline



Wednesday, December 2, 2020

Happy Anniversary

I still have more Christmas cards to share, but thought I would break it up with a showing of an Anniversary card I made for my last order.

This was a very simple card, I should of made a few while I was at it, but as I was trying to get the order done, I just did one.

I started with a piece of peach pearlized metallic paper, I think it is made by Star Dream, I've had this and many other colours for years.




I stamped the floral design from Simon Says Stamps - Beautiful Flowers in versamark then embossed it in gold.

For the Happy Anniversary sentiment I used my Glimmer Hot Foil machine, the hot foiling dies from Spellbinders - set is called Elegant Occasion Sentiments, and gold foiled it onto some cream cardstock.  Once foiled, I used the matching die to cut it out.

I layered the image piece onto some cream cardstock, popped up the sentiment and added some gold and cream pearls. Card measures 6.25 x 4.5.

I was very pleased on how this turned out.

As always, I appreciate you stopping by.  Hope all is well with you.  Take care,

Pauline

Thursday, November 26, 2020

Sweet Baby x 3

 I know I should be working on Christmas cards, but trying to finish up a card order that has Christmas as well as other occasion cards including 3 generic baby cards.  Two of them I have made before, but I changed up the colours and the other one is brand new.

For my new card I used some Alexandra Renke washi tape and image for this card. So fun.  I also used a die from The Greetery - twisted crepe. Sentiment is from Papertrey Ink.  I also embossed the card base using Creative Expression 3-D Quilted Pillow EF. Added a couple of enamels dots and an enamel heart to finish.

 


My second card is one I have done before, just changed the papers and image, but layout is the same.  Bib die is from MFT, bunny image and dp  is from Papertrey Ink.  Added some enamel dots and ribbon to finish off.

 


 

My third card, is similar to one I made before except this time, I went to a more lighter tones on the balloons, kind of kept it more pastel than bold. Image is from Penny Black, stenciled the clouds using distress oxide tumbled glass, sentiment is from Papertrey Ink.  Finished this one off with some glitter on the balloons, and  an enamel heart.  I used copics to colour.

 


 This finishes up my one card order, a total of 27 cards, whew!!!

Wishing all my American friends a wonderful Thanksgiving.  I know it won't be the same as in past years, but hopefully you will be able to celebrate with family, whether it's over real time, zoom, or however you are able to keep a safe distance.  

Thank you for your visit today, Keep well everyone!

Pauline.

 

Monday, November 23, 2020

Snowflake Cascade

Hi there.  I'm back today to share a few more Christmas cards.  Today's stamp set that I'll be sharing is one I purchased during the Stamptember release by Simon Says Stamps in collaboration with Gina K. I missed out on Gina K's Stamptember release last year, so I made sure I grabbed it early this time around because when they are gone, they are gone!

One of the stamps in this set is a half snowflake, which allows you to adjust the space between each half when you stamp them in order to place a sentiment between.

My first card I embossed the snowflake in white ep, then sponged distress oxide peeled paint, then tumbled glass. I then sprayed the front of the card using Shimmer Craft spray - sparkle, and boy does it sparkle! I embossed the sentiment in white onto some navy cardstock, which was then popped up for a bit of dimension. This was then layered onto some navy c/s, then onto the card base which is a shimmer light blue.  I've had this for so long I don't even know who makes it or where I bought it.  To finish off I added some Prismatic Sky Pearls from Studio Katia. 




For my second card, I embossed the snowflake top and bottom along with the sentiment in white ep.  I then sponged distress oxide worn lipstick and a bit of candied apple.  I then splattered the card with bit of water then laid some paper towel to soak up the splatters.  I then embossed the ornament holder in silver and the bow in white.  I then sprayed the front with Shimmer craft spray. Iridescent bubbles- Studio Katia were added to the ornament.  I cut a couple of strips of silver mirror c/s and added to each side and then onto a white card base.



There are a few more stamps in this stamp set I want to use, not sure I'll get around to using them this year, if not for next year for sure.

I've been working on a lot of Christmas cards for my orders but they are already ones I have posted, hence the lack of postings over the last few weeks.  I do have some new ones to share, just need to take pictures.

I'm off on vacation this week, so I hope to get all my orders completed and mailed out to my friends, so they have time to mail them off.

I appreciate your visit today.  Whatever you are up to today, have a great one!

Pauline


Monday, November 16, 2020

Heartfelt Sympathy

Hello everyone,  Just a quick short post today.

Today's card was inspired by a card that Leslie made a while back.  I was asked by a friend for a couple of sympathy cards.  Since I already had the flower done a few weeks back,  I decided to use Leslie's idea for mine.



Stamp and die set by Altenew - Positive Vibe, and the inks were all by Altenew as well.

My embossed border along the left side was done using a border die from Creative Expressions  - Frames & Tags - Stella's Border.

Added a few mini pearls and Nuvo Glitter gloss on the flowers.

I am off today, so I decided to put up my Christmas Tree this morning.  So pretty, my colour theme is gold, copper and clear.

Well, I think I will work on some more cards this afternoon!

Have a wonderful day, and thanks again for stopping by.

My new picture in the banner - this is a yellow-rumped warbler taken in my backyard a couple of weeks ago.  With the weather still warm at that time (which is very unusual for end of Oct) this little guy was hanging around. He was very co-operative as I took his picture.

Pauline







Monday, November 9, 2020

Poinsettia 3D

 Hello everyone! Hope everyone had a good weekend.  I must say it does not feel like November, the temperatures have been in the 60's on thurs and friday, and yesterday, today and tomorrow in the 70's! I'm not complaining but just so unusual!

I have been falling behind in my Christmas card making, and I have a few orders to fill along with some everyday cards such as birthday, sympathy, anniversary, and baby cards, so I made myself work on some yesterday.  

This card was so easy to mass produce, I ended up making a total of 9.  All die cuts and some hot glimmer foiling.  The 3D poinsettia die is from Altenew.  Love all the details that is embedded when you die cut, just adds so much detail to the finished product.  The decorative border is by Papertrey Ink ( Ink to Paper) - Joy Frame die.

 One all the layers of the poinsettia were cut out - I used 100lb white cougar c/s, I added the following:

Sponged distress antique linen, then spritzed with Medieval Gold from Lindy's. I also added some gold splatters using the Brilliant Gold from my US Art Quest pearlescent and metallic tray. This set is about 10 years old, never goes bad, just spritz with water to activate. Used gold foiling for the sentiment.

 


 For this one I sponged distress victorian velvet and twisted citron, spritzed with the same gold, and used Rose gold for the foiling.



 I tried to get a close up of the gold spray, hope you can see it.  In real these are just beautiful, the spray shimmers perfectly.

 

 
 
For the blue one I used some Prima watercolour paper, and spritzed distress oxide inks in pistachio,  blueprint sketch and tumbled glass.  Once it was dry, I cut out the poinsettia, then splattered some Misty Lavender pearlescent from the same US Art quest tray.  Skybright foil was used on the sentiment.  When I made the second blue one, I did spray the poinsettia with some clear shimmer spray, but this one I left as is.


 

 This last one I sponged distress candied apples and scattered straw.  Sentiment was foiled in Red.


 Well, that's it for me for today.  I hope you enjoyed the variety of colourful poinsettias. Do you have a favourite?

Wishing you a wonderful day,

 Pauline

 

 

Monday, November 2, 2020

Glimmer Happy Holidays

Well here we are into November already! I can't believe how fast this year is going.  I thought I would pop on today to do a quick post as I have not posted in about a week.  I haven't had time to work on any cards, as work has been busy, long days, and when I'm done at night, I'm exhausted. Then on the weekend, it's getting caught up on all the stuff you should of done during the week, and well you know it's never ending.

I did happen to have one card that I have not shared yet.  I was hoping to make a few more with my Glimmer machine to post all at once, but have gotten around to it.  So here you have my one and only card left to share.

I bought the Spellbinders Glimmer machine a year ago and have not used it much.  When I saw that they had some new Christmas glimmer plates come out I bought a couple to give it a try.

Glimmer plates used on this card are:  Winter village, Yana's Christmas Sentiments, Christmas Organic Foliage and Christmas foliage background. 



Colours used for the foiling are:  Prism and Skybright

Paper : Simon Says Stamps  - Fog, Cougar 100 lb white

Not a lot of explaining on this as it was all done with the Glimmer Foiling Machine.

I thank you for your visit today. Have a wonderful day, keep well.

Pauline


Monday, October 26, 2020

Christmas baubles

 I hope everyone had a good weekend.  I think we have seen the last of our nice fall weather.  Friday it was close to 70F and yesterday it only reached 45F but felt like 39F with the wind.  Clocks go back an hour this coming weekend, which means shorter daylight days.  

About a month or so ago, I happened to come across a beautiful card, I believe it was on You Tube.  Once I watched the video I knew I needed the stencil.  So I order it and it came about 2 weeks later.

The stencil is from Sweet Poppy Stamps in the UK.  These are not your typical plastic stencils, these are steel, and the edges are sharp, so you have to be very careful when cleaning them as to not slice your fingers. I've made 6 of these so far, 2 of each of the designs below.

Distress Oxide inks were used for all 3.

My first card I used victorian velvet and aged mahogany.  Using a large round ink blending tool, lightly sponge on the ink through the stencil.  I then took the small poinsettia from Stampers Anonymous - Winter watercolour #CMS354" and stamp it using the aged mahogany ink.  The little sprays coming from the poinsettia I stamped in the same ink but stamped off once.  Sentiment was stamped in black versafine and is from Stampers Anonymous Deco Christmas CMS176. I added some TH distress glitter to the poinsettia and a gold rhinestone in the center.



Card below was sponged with iced spruce and wild honey.  Image I used is from Stampers Anonymous Holidays Drawings CMS284.  I added glitter to the snowy roof top and some along the ground.


My last card is using the same inks as the first, victorian velvet and aged mahogany.  The cardinal image is from a set from Flourishes and sentiment is from the same set. Glitter was added to the branches and berries.


All card fronts where adhered to a 5.5 x 4.25 card base. 

I would like to try making some and masking off the entire card except for the bauble part and spray with a fine glitter spray, for lots of shimmer.  

So glad you stopped by today.  Have a wonderful day!

Pauline

Monday, October 19, 2020

Slimline Christmas cards

 I sat down today to tackle making a slimline Christmas card, as this seems to be the rage now.  I ended up making 2.

I'm using Simon Says Stamps Slimline Scene Builder - Christmas set along with Pinkfresh Studio slimline stitched rectangles die set (there are 4 dies in this set - 2 are stitched and 2 plain).

Using my Misti, I applied distress inks onto the background stamp.  I threw the first couple in the garbage as I did not like how they were turning out.  I found the background looked too streaky and blotching.  So.... added the ink directly from the ink pad to the stamp, then used a dauber to tap it out and blend it and this seemed to work.

Inks I used were distress tumbled glass, broken china, stormy sky and chipped sapphire.  I used the same inks for both, but think on the second card I was a bit more lighter when applying the inks. Once the background was done, I stamped the small trees using stormy sky, then heat embossed the large tree in silver. I also embossed the sentiment in silver. I used Enchanted evening (PTI) and a scrap of lighter blue from my scrap bin for the layers on this one.



For my second card, the small trees were stamped in distress hickory smoke, then white embossed the large tree.  I also used the decoration stamp for the small trees and stamped them in stormy sky.



I cut out both backgrounds using the smallest die from the slimline set, then used the next size up for the next layer. Before adhering to the stitched layer, I sprayed both backgrounds using Imagine sheer shimmer craft spray in Sparkle. I tried to take a picture of all the shimmer but just couldn't capture it, but trust me, these are very sparkly.  I used SU Soft sky and Not Quite Navy for my layers on the 2nd card.

One everything was adhered I added some red jewels to the first tree, and kept the white tree plain.

I also embossed the sentiment onto some Almost Navy (SU) c/s using white embossing powder, trimmed to fit then added a small strip of  silver glitter paper along the bottom edge.

Which one is your favourite?  

I appreciate you stopping by today, enjoy the rest of your day!

Pauline

Monday, October 12, 2020

Nature's Decor - A Trio

 Good morning everyone, and Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian followers.  Celebrating Thanksgiving is very different this year as all the other holidays since Covid. We will not be getting together as a family, as most years my sister holds it at her house and we all bring a dish and spend the day there. Today is also our sons Mark's Birthday - the big 36! I can still remember when he was a baby, sometimes seems like yesterday, boy the years sure go by don't they!

Today's card is a set of 3.  Same image, I just changed up the dp and sentiment. A great card to mass produce!

Stamp is from Penny Black - Nature's Decor #30-608.  I stamped the image using black versafine, then added colour using copics.  I then embossed the bow in gold and silver and the last one.  Sentiments are stamped in black versafine as well.



Images were all cut using MFT - cross stitched rectangle die.  I then layered the image onto some gold or silver mirror c/s.




For the dp I used scraps from my scrap bin.  I also added some peel off's top and bottom of the dp piece before adhering to the card front. I added some fun foam behind the top layer for added dimension.





Must have glitter on Christmas cards, so I pulled out my bucket of Art Institute glitter, and add red to the first two cards and a bluish glitter to the last one.

So there you have it, 3 fairly quick Christmas cards.

I appreciate you stopping by today, I hope I have inspired you in some way.

I'm off until Oct 21, taking some much needed vacation days.  No plans, lots to do around the house, and hoping to squeeze in a card or two!  Take care everyone, hugs,

Pauline


Monday, October 5, 2020

Warm Christmas Wishes

Today, I have a cute Christmas card to share, but I must confess, I cased this card off of Memory Box website.  I fell in love with the wreath, snowman, well the whole thing.  Sometimes I find I need to Case when I loose my mojo!

I did change it somewhat but went with the general idea of the layout.

Very little stamping, almost all dies.


I started by sponging some distress oxide speckled egg onto some white cardstock, then used my snowflake stencil and added some clear glitter paste for the snowfall.

For the greenery I sponged various colours of green, brown, and a bit of yellow onto some white c/s, then a little spritz of water.  I then cut out the leaves.  For the brown wreath (circle) I cut from kraft then sponged some oxide frayed burlap and oxide ground espresso to darken it up.  The WARM letters were cut and then sponged with the espresso that I had left on my sponge.  Christmas wishes was stamped in black versafine onto some kraft. To dress up the berries I added red stickles, used scraps of paper for the snowman's hat, ear muffs, scarf and coloured his arms (twigs) using a dark brown copic marker.

Below are the dies I used to create this:

Memory Box - Precious snowflakes, Harvest Double Arch, Stylish Frame Trio, Poetic Uppercase Alphabet, Snowman Circle collage, and MB clear stamp set - Merry and Bright Mistletoe (for the christmas wishes sentiment).

I'm so glad you stopped by for a visit today.  I've been working on some more Christmas cards, so I'll be back shortly.

Have a wonderful day!

Pauline

Monday, September 28, 2020

Winter Landscapes

 Hello friends, hope you all had a great weekend! This weekend was beautiful weather wise.  Mid 70's lots of sun and warmth and very breezy on Sunday.  Today looks like the last day of this warmer weather as tomorrow for the 2 weeks temperatures in the upper 60's.  But then again it is fall!

Sorry I never posted in a while, last week was just crazy busy at work since I had Monday and Tuesday off, trying to play catch up the rest of the week.  I'm still working on my Christmas card stash, so today I'm back to share a couple more with you.

I'm using Memory Box Single Pine Landscape Frame. Love making these types of cards the die cut does it all for you.  Just a little bit of ink blending, stenciling, embossing and a sentiment!

Both cards were done the same I just changed the oxide inks I used for the background.

Oxide inks used for this one:  Speckled egg, Stormy Sky and a bit of Blue Print Sketch. A light blend of each, the used the snowflake stencil from The Greetery and applied Stormy Sky through the stencil.

I embossed the card base using a snowflake embossing folder.

I cut two frames and glued together for some stability, then stamped the sentiment.  I then put this piece into my splatter box and sprayed it with Imagine Sheer Shimmer craft spray Sparkle, and boy is it sparkly.  I tried to get a picture of it, but my camera just wouldn't pick it up, but it's there.




Second card done same way except I used these oxide inks: speckled egg and tumbled glass.



I plan on making more of these, some with a winter pinkish sky, some with a bit of yellow.  These do work up fast once you get going on them.

So happy you stopped by today.  Keep well, enjoy your day!

Pauline


Friday, September 18, 2020

Healing Bouquet

Today is such a beautiful fall day, not only do I have the day off, but temperatures are 59F as I write this post, sun is shining, breezy, couldn't ask for a more perfect day!  Had to visit the dentist this morning as a piece of my side molar tooth broke off last week. M outh is still slightly frozen, you know it's really hard to drink a coffee with a frozen mouth!  Spent some time outside after my appt doing some weeding, I noticed leaves are starting to change.  I love this time of year!

When I saw that Power Poppy released a couple of new digi images a couple of weeks ago, I had to scoop them up.  This is one of them called Healing Bouquet.  But I decided to use it for a birthday card.



I used my Poloychromos and gamsol for colouring.  I then cut it out using an MFT scallop rectangle die, then layered it onto some soft pink, in real it matches the lotus blossom colour.

I added glitter and pearls rhinestones to finish this off.

I'm using up some more of my vacation days so I'm off until Wed! whoot whoot!!!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Keep safe stay healthy.  

Pauline



Monday, September 14, 2020

In the forest

 Hello everyone and Happy Monday.  I hope you all had a good weekend.  You can sure tell the fall is upon us, days are shorter, nights are cooler, and day time temps in the lower to mid 70's, just perfect, my kind of weather.

With that said I have a couple more Christmas cards to share.

Stamps user are both from Impression Obsession: # L13829 (forest) & E13830 (deer)

I started by stamping the forest in a soft grey ink.  To tell you the truth I had so many grey inks on my desk trying a variety as some were too dark, some too much on the brown tones and some too light.  I honestly don't remember which brand I used.

I then punched a circle die for the moon from a post-it note and adhered to where I wanted the moon.  I then sponged some distress oxide blueprint sketch very softly, as I can always build up the intensity but you can't take it away.

Once I got it to my liking, I stamped the deer in black versafine ink, I think I stamped twice using my misti to get a good impression.



Next came the snowbanks.  I used The Greetery die set called Drifting die, there are 2 dies in the set, so cut both, then placed them to make them fit.  I then stamped the sentiment, and added some glitter along the snow drift stitched lines and as well as in the trees.


My second card is done exactly the same as the first except I tore the edges of the snow drift and sponged ink on them. This card was created by seeing a sample at my craft store in London, called Stamp Art, so I give them credit for the inspiration.


So there you have it, 2 more to add to my stash for this year.

I appreciate your visit today, have a wonderful day! 

I also want to say my thoughts and prayers are with everyone out west who are dealing with the forest fires. Such devastation and despair.  Hugs to all,

Pauline

Tuesday, September 8, 2020

Wintery scene

 I hope everyone had a nice long weekend!  I ended up having Friday off as well as yesterday, so it was a nice long weekend for me.  Weather was good for the most part, much cooler temperatures.  We did some bird photography, as fall migration is underway.  Did some yard work as you know weeding never stops, and even made a couple of cards yesterday.

Although I'm in need of birthday cards, I still am trying to focus on Christmas as well.  I need to start stock piling, as I always get a few standing orders from friends, so it would be nice this year to be a bit ahead of the game.

Today's card is using stamps and dies from The Greetery.  Now I've had this set almost a year now and just getting around to using it, isn't that awful?  The sets I used are: Christmas Eve &  Fir & Foliage No 2,   and the stencils are Frosty Flakes & Pathway.



All the inks I used are distress oxide ins.  I stamped the church - which is a multi stamp set, then cut it out with the matching die.  There is some trees that come with this set, so I stamped one of them off to the right, the other two I had stamped and die cut a while ago, so used a few of them in behind the church.  One I had everything in place where I wanted it, I used my pathway stencil (again this is a 2-step design if you want it to be), and created my path.  I then added the cobblestone stencil over top of my lightly sponged pathway and sponged in the cobblestones. I then dusted the sky with a light blue ink then used the frosty flakes stencil to add some snowflakes.  There is also a die to cut out the windows of the church if you desired, but I just left it as is.

I used one of the sentiments that come with the Christmas Eve set and stamped using black versafine

To finish off I used my quickie glue pen and TH distress rock glitter for some sparkle.

I'm so glad you stopped by today.  Have a wonderful day, 

Pauline


Friday, September 4, 2020

Slim line Happy Birthday

 Well, I'm down to may last card that I haven't shared with you yet.  I guess I better get busy making cards this weekend. 

The big rage right now is slim line cards, so I decided to make one.  I had lots of leftover Pinwheels I decided they would work well on this type of card.  The pinwheels stamps and die cuts are by The Greetery.

 


 Once I had an idea of how I wanted them laid out on the card, I used distress oxide inks in the same colour family and sponged lightly onto some white c/s.  Spritzed the background with Sheer shimmer craft spray- love the shimmer.

I adhered the pinwheels across the card some flat some popped up, then stamped my sentiment using black versafine ink.

Added some sequins and stars to finish this off.

 I'm off till Tuesday, looking forward to a nice long weekend.  Hoping to get out and do some bird photography as fall migration has started.  Bill and I went out last Sunday morning and saw quite a few.  Haven't had a chance to work on any pictures yet, but when I do I will share.

Enjoy your weekend, keep well, hugs,

Pauline


Monday, August 31, 2020

Warm wishes

Here we are the last day of August already! Where did the summer go? With less than 4 months till Christmas I thought I better get at it, as I only a few done. 

My card today features everything from The Greetery - dies and sentiments.



The pine one die cuts several pieces and they all interlock together. Very cleaver idea! Pine ones were cut from Kraft c/s, and the pine boughs and leaves were cut from white c/s and the everything was sponged used distress oxide inks.

The bow is cut from gold mirror c/s .I sponged some evergreen bough distress ink every so lightly on the white layer for a bit of colour before I adhered the pine cone and boughs down.

I then added some chunky glitter for sparkle as well as some tiny gold balls.

Paper is from Studio Light, and I used Kraft c/s for the base.

Dies I used from the Greetery are: Nordic Frames, Inside & out berry branch & Bontanicuts Pine Bough dies.

I appreciate you visit today.  Have a great day!

Pauline


Friday, August 28, 2020

Dear Friend

Well here we are at the end of another week! It's hard to believe next week is September. It's a raining day here to day, been raining most of the night. 

For my card today I'm using a stamp from  Penny Black  - At Grace.



I started by putting my stamp in my Misti, adding distress oxide inks directly to the rubber using a finger dauber, this way you get into those time spots.  I stamped it and didn't like it, so I inked it up again, and this time I stamped it off lightly onto a piece of copy paper, then added a new piece of white c/s back into my Misti and stamped, and it was perfect.  the first time it was too dark, but second impression just perfect.  I then added details but using fabre castell polychromos pencils. Love it!

I stamped the Dear Friend using black versafine.  This is from Ink to Paper (Papertrey Ink) Framing Floral set.  Love the big font and the two different scrips.

Trimmed the image to be a bit narrower, then  added a thin layer of black cardstock down the right and thin added some designer paper along the edge.  

Finished up with some twine and some pearls from Studio Katia . I added a bit of glitter to the flowers as well.

Well that's it for me folks.  Thank you for stopping by today, and have yourself a fantastic weekend! Hugs to all,

Pauline

Monday, August 24, 2020

HO HO HO

Hi everyone!  I figured I better start on my Christmas cards, as last year I left it too late, and well you know how that goes, burning the midnight oil trying to get them done.  When I saw that Lily of the Valley had 60% off sale last week, I hopped over the their Etsy store and grabbed a couple of images.

This was one of them. HO HO HO! So simple and I love it.  

I used copics for colouring and no shading, just plain ole colouring, quick and simple.  I cut the image out with a MFT stitched rectangle die, then layered a piece of  black c/s behind 2 of the corners.  I also used Memory Box  Snowflake Breeze die, cut from white c/s, and layered behind the image.  The red layer is cut from The Greetery Postal Frame die.  

For finishing touches, I added lots of glitter.

A sweet Christmas card which I will make several of.

I appreciate you stopping by today.  Keep well....hugs,

Pauline

Tuesday, August 11, 2020

Bontanical Notes

 I'm back today to share a card I did a few weeks ago.  I'm using Penny Black's Bontancial Notes. I've had this stamp for a while I think it's 3-4 yrs old, maybe older. I found this already stamped off in my basket waiting to be coloured.



I used copic markers to colour, then cut it out using Spellbinders Square die. I then sponged some distress ink around the edges.  I looks really green in the photo but in real it's not that vibrant.  Layered this onto some star dream yellow/gold paper (love the shimmer of this star dream c/s).  I then layered it onto some dark purple star dream c/s, then on to my card base.

For finishing touches I added some shimmer to the butterfly using my Nuvo clear glitter pen, and then I added some Prills to the center of the flower.

That's it for me for today.  Thanks for stopping, have a wonderful day!

Pauline

Friday, August 7, 2020

Sunflower Daisy day!

Can you believe it is  Friday already, boy does time fly! Good thing for me as I'm off for a nice 4 day weekend.

Today's card is using Altenew Sunflower Daisy stamp set and matching die. This is one of those multiple step stamping sets which I love.


I started by stenciling a background using Simon Says Stamps Square Dance stencil and Frayed Leaf Altenew ink.. I used MFT stitched rounded corner rectangle die to cut this out. I splattered the background by using my SU platter tool along with a Tombow marker.  Sentiment is from PTI and  was stamped using black versafine.

All the stamping of flowers and leaves were done using a variety of Altenew Inks, then everything was die cut.

I added a couple of strips of washi tape in behind my top layer, popped the top layer up with some craft foam, added the flowers and leafs,  some dollar store glittery rhinestones, and some Art Institute glitter for the centers of the daisy's. 

I appreciate you stopping by today, have yourself a wonderful weekend.  Hugs,

Pauline


Monday, August 3, 2020

Brilliant Butterfly


Hello! I'm finally back, last week has been  busy but I did manage to work on some cards. I finally got around to taking pictures of them yesterday.

My card today is one of my favourites.  I'm using MFT Dandelion Greenery and Brilliant Butterlies, I'm in love with both sets.  Love the whimsical feeling to the butterflies, and there are a variety of shapes and sizes, and for the greenery, I"m just a sucker for such things, so basically anything nature related I love.




I started off by stamping the greenery using PTI  spring moss, simply chartreuse and a bit of hawaiian shores, then stamped a few times and filled in where needed.  I used the tiny floral stamp and stamped using first and second generation stamping here and there.

For the butterfly, I used my distress inks - I actually only used the ink that was on the daubers, so not quite sure of the exact colours, but if guessing I would think worn lipstick pick raspberry and mustard seed.  I then over stamped it with the black wing overlay. So pretty isn't it? Can you see that bit of script in the background?.  I used a Magenta Company script stamped, add some spring moss very lightly to the stamp then took a rag and removed some of the ink in places then stamped very lightly, I just wanted a very loosely stamped script for a bit of interest.

The sentiment I from Simon Says Stamps - Tiny words, stamped in black versafine (using my misti). To finish off I added some tiny bubblegum pearls and iridescent butterflies, both from Studio Katia. Also added some clear glitter using my Nuvo clear glitter pen to the coloured portion of the butterfly.

MFT stitched rectangle to cut out the image, and background paper is from Memory Box.

So glad you stopped by today.  I"m off today as this is Canada's Civic Holiday, I"m hoping to get a bit more stamping done.

Have yourself a fabulous day! 💗

Pauline


Friday, July 24, 2020

Hello


A few weeks ago we took a drive to London (ON) and I stopped at my favourite stamp store - Stamp Art. If you live in the area and looking for a great stamp store, this is it.  Nancy carries a wide variety of many companies and will be glad to order something for you if you don't see it in her store.  I literally could spend a couple of hours in her store, just so much to see and she is always very helpful at showing you 'what's new'.

So with the 'what's new', one of the many things  I came home with was this beautiful die from Studio Light. I went through some of my backgrounds I made and came across this vibrant one. 



I think I used distress oxide sprays onto some watercolour paper.  I cut it using an MFT scallop die, cut out the floral from white c/s twice and glued together.  I also cut a 'hello' from black c/s twice and layered.  The hello die is from creative expressions.

To finish off I added some sequins and pearls and used my Nuvo clear glitter pen for sparkle on the flowers.

I love that dies make the card making process much quicker.  What did we ever do before dies were available??

Thanks for stopping in today.  Have a wonderful weekend!

Pauline

Monday, July 20, 2020

From the archives


Hello everyone, hope you had an enjoyable weekend!  Yesterday we got some much need rain (thunder showers) to give some relief from this terrible heat wave we've been having. It will still be in the mid 90's for most of this coming week, and then back up to about 110 on Saturday!

After reading Leslie Miller's post a few weeks back about UFO (unfinished objects), I decided to take a look in my basket to see what I had and if there was anything I could salvage.  Low and behold I came across this embossed Thistle.  You will never guess how long I have had this? Are you ready? I'm going to say at least 10 yrs! Back in 2009 or 2010 our local stamp store had Fred B Mullet come teach us a class.  We did fish, leaves, flowers just to name a few.  Looks like I had embossed this with a couple of different embossing powders but that was as far as I got with it.

So pulled out some papers and put it all together.


I dusted the edges around the thistles with some antique linen just to soften the white down somewhat.The card base and the frame around the thistles is a deep purple/gold metallic cardstock. It is a very rich colour.  Designer paper is from Memory Box. 

To finish I added some coloured pearls.

I appreciate you stopping by today.  Have a wonderful day!

Pauline






Wednesday, July 15, 2020

Watercoloured Hydrangea


Don't you find this summer is flying by, I mean here we are already in the middle of July! Maybe it's  because I'm super busy with a new job I started at work end of June.  Lots of long days, so much to learn, but I love it. Change is always good! Still working from home which I really don't mind, I just miss seeing everyone, although we can still chat through Skype and Microsoft Team - technology is a wonderful thing!

Any way, lets get on with my card.  I had this coloured almost a month now, so thought  I best share it with you.

This is a Paint-a-flower from Altenew, it's a monthly club stamp set.  Price is great and you can opt out of a month if it something you really don't want which is always nice.

To start I white embossed the hydrangea onto  some Canson 140lb water colour paper.  I then pulled out my Altenew Brush Markers - spring garden set and watercoloured away. I covered the hydrangea once done and splattered some blue and purple inks.





I kind of visioned another layout but in the end this is what I ended up with!  I used some Papertrey Ink paper for the bottom part, added some silk ribbon  and some tiny colour pearls to finish this off.  Also added Nuvo clear glitter pen to the hydrangea for some shimmer.

Thanks for stopping by, have a fabulous day!

Pauline

Friday, July 10, 2020

Sunrise


Well it's going to be another scorcher of a day.  It's been hot and dry here you would think we were living in the desert! This past week temperatures felt like 40C (104F), with no end over the next couple of weeks, other than Monday it's suppose to drop down to 32C (90) but that's it. 

June was a busy month for the need of masculine birthday cards.  Today I have one to share with you.

I'm using a stamp from Magenta.  There is no name on the package, sorry.  I stamped this onto some water colour canson 140lb  paper using black ink.  I then sponged on some distress oxide inks.





Trimmed the image down slightly to fit behind my black frame cut from MFT stitched square frames.  The blades of grass are from Impression Obsession, cut from green c/s, then sponged a bit of green ink.

Paper is from MME - dilly dally.   Added a sentiment and a couple of enamel dots.

An after thought, I think next time I would use white c/s rather than water colour.  It was hard to get a really good impression of the crane as the paper has a bit of texture to it.

Well that's it for me today.  Have a wonderful weekend.  Keep well, stay cool!

Hugs,
Pauline

Monday, July 6, 2020

Colourful pinwheels


Hello everyone and Happy Monday! Hope you had a good weekend.  It has been so hot here in SW Ontario, ( as a matter of fact for most of Ontario)  and looks like it will continue into next week.  As much as I love to be outdoors, the heat is just unbearable with the humidex making it feel over 100F.  So what better place to be but in my craft room!

For my card today, I'm using stamps, stencils and dies from The Greetery, The Pinwheel Party Stencils, Pinwheels Party Die, and Birthday Blooms stamps set.




I started with the stencils.  There are 4 stencils to this set, Set A - has 2 stencils and Set B has two stencils along with three individual single stencils varying in size from large, med, and small.

I used distress oxide inks, and I didn't keep track, just too many inks and I just played and had fun.  I created a couple of backgrounds and then I die cut several of each size and used the stencils to colour.  I have lots of extras for future cards.

Once I created my pinwheels using both Set A & B stencils, Betsy has also created a stencil to cover your pinwheels so you can add some ink blending below the stenciled pinwheels - you can see where I added the blue ink. 

I die cut the background shadow fro white c/s  for the "YOU", and then I stamped the "YOU using black versafine ink.  I lined up very carefully the 'let's celebrate' and also stamped with black versafine. 

I cut the streamers and ink blended using oxide inks. I also stamped some little stars here and there using oxide fossilized amber.

I then put all the layers together, popping up two of the single pinwheels for dimension. 

Then the fun part, I added bling and lots of it, I mean how could you not, it's a celebration! I also added some wink of stella for some shimmer.

This was a lot of fun making this.  Just love those pinwheels.  I can't wait to try a Christmas card using some holiday colours!

I am also entering this into the Inspired by Challenge

So glad you stopped by today.  Have a wonderful day!

Pauline