Winter sky

Happy Halloween everyone! Hope your week is going well.  I've been working diligently on my card orders, and always looking for cards to make that are elegant, and easy to re-produce.

Today's cards are just that! I'm using Penny Black's 'Winter Sky' stamp, along with a die called Winter Snow script also from Penny Black.

For my first card I sponged the following Distress Oxide inks to make my background: Blueprint sketch, shaded lilac, tumbled glass, cracked pistachio, and evergreen bough.  Once the background was completed I stamped the winter sky using black versafine - I stamped it twice to fill the front of the card.

I then diluted some 'copic' opaque white ink and splattered the background.  I then spritzed the background using some micro pearl powder which was added to my mini spritzer. Added the Winter die cut along the bottom edge and stamped a sentiment from PB - Christmas Sentiments.  Added a little snowflake next to the sentiment. (only because I had a tiny black smudge and it bothered me, so covered it up!)

 

For my second card I used distress inks - ripe persimmon, broken china, tumbled glass & peeled paint.  I took the same steps as the first card except I sprayed it with Hero Arts Metallic Shimmer gold.

 

This is a close up view of the gold shimmer spray - so sparkley.

Hope you have a 'spooktacular' day! Thanks for stopping by.

Pauline

Forest Finds

 Hello! It's Friday tomorrow and the end of another week! This month is flying by so quickly don't you think? I'm back to share another Christmas image. I have had this digital image printed out for quite some time, and just finally got around to colouring it up.  This digital image is called 'Forest Finds' from Power Poppy.  When it was first released last winter I scooped it up right away.  I just love the way Marcella designed this.

Normally I used Primsacolour pencils to colour, but I wanted more vibrant colours than what prismas can offer.  So I pulled out my Copics and coloured this up.

I used an AliExpress die to cut it out, and then layered the image onto another piece of white c/s, otherwise the background paper shows through the holes around the edge and it distracts from the image.

Designer paper is by Bo Bunny - Altitude Collection. I finished off with some glittered enamel dots and Tim Holtz clear distress glitter. I also added a couple pieces of silver peel-offs where the striped paper meets the dark purple.

I am entering my card in Power Poppy's October Power & Spark: You say it's your birthday! The challenge is to use an image that represents the month you were born.  My birthday is in Dec, so I choose this 'winter' image for the challenge.


That's it for me, I've been working on more Christmas cards to share.   See you real soon.  Thanks for stopping by, I always appreciate your visits.

Pauline

Snowflake wishes

Hello there.  I'm back today to share another 'snowman/snowlady' card with you today. I finally finished my first card order, just need to put the liners inside and get these mailed off to the recipient.
Then need to start on my next orders.

Well the Autumn season is upon us, but some days it feels like Winter.  Our temperatures this past week and the coming couple of weeks between 45 - 50 (8-10C) as the high but early mornings are around freezing. Right now it is 34F or 1C and the winds are from the north which makes it feel even colder.  I love the fall with the cooler days and the change of colours, but not ready for these frigid temps! Brrrrrr..... LOL.

Okay lets get on with my card.  I'm using the snowman image from Purdy Stamps.  This is an oldie, but I bring them out every few years because they are just too darn cute not to use wouldn't you say?

I used prismacolour pencils and blended with gamsol.  I then sponged some clouds using MFT's cloud stencil and PTI aqua mist and a bit along bottom for a bit of colour in the snow.

For the papers I used MME - Sugar Plum.  To create the frame I used MFT stitched rectangle frames.
I decided to add some snowflakes under the top of the frame for some added detail - using Simon Says - snowflake border die.

To finish off I added some white flock on the pom-pom, TH distress glitter, and a little tag using Penny Black holiday snippets, then added a aqua silk bow.

I changed out my bird picture at the top.  This is an American Redstart - Female.  She was in our backyard for a few days and I was very persistent in capturing a photo of her.  It took I while but it happened!

I appreciate your visit today, I'll be back in a few days, see you then.

Pauline

Smells like Christmas

Hello friends!  Sorry I haven't posted in over a week, but I've been busy working on a card order, the one that is a repeat of last years cards that I already posted.  I finally just finished the last card last night for this order, but changed it up a bit so will post that one later.

But tonight I wanted to share a card that I made in between the card order that I am ecstatic about! I just love the way this one turned out.  As soon as this digital image was released from Sassy Cheryl's called "smells like christmas' I just had to have it. 

I resized the image along with the sentiment then coloured it using prismacolour pencils and blended with gamsol.  I then sponged some clouds using MFT cloud stencil.  I also sponged a bit of light blue along the ground just for a bit of shading/colour.  I was going to just add glitter for snow, but went through some of my dies and came across this fence from Penny Black.  I cut it out 3 times all from kraft cardstock, glued together and then sponged some distress gathered twigs.  I then took my white  gel pen and put some white highlights along the fence to resemble snow.  I added some glitter along the fence and ground area.

 I thought I was done but then decided I needed something up in the right corner.  Pulled out a couple of branch dies, decided on this one from Penny Black and cut it from some white glitter paper. 

I am just in love with this card, I don't even want to part with it! LOL.

Background paper is from StudioLight - Winter Feelings.

Okay, I'm off to work on another card.  See you back here soon.  Enjoy your day!

Pauline

Winter Cabin

Hello there!  What a busy week it has been, with the long Thanksgiving weekend that just passed, and after being off for a weeks vacation, then back to work on Tuesday I was totally exhausted by the time I got home from work on Tuesday! As they say, you need to go to work to get rest, because when your at home it's never ending.  On the bathroom reno side of things, slowly getting there.  So hopefully I have some spare time to get some more of my christmas cards done.

I'm also back teaching classes at our local stamp store The Paper Pickle.  I have a class tomorrow night, so I was busy cutting and preparing the papers for class tonight.  We will be making 2 cards which I have already previously posted - this (the orange one) and this one. I thought I best do a post as I knew I would have a chance to do it tomorrow night.

When I was in London (Ontario) a few weeks back I saw a card sample in the stamp store that I figured I could mass produce.  So bought the dies, came home and whipped a couple of these up.  I changed it up a bit because I don't like to copy someone elses' cards 100%.

I ended up making 2 cards, but I think there is so many more variations you could do with these dies. and they were fairly quick to make.

 

Both cards are using  Cottage Cutz die - Winter Cabin border, and the rounded square pierced die is from Nellie Snellen - Straight dotted square.

I started with a 4 6/8 square white card stock and cut the straight dotted square from that.  I then cut another piece of white measuring 4 7/8.  I sponged lightly some distress tumbled glass on the 4 7/8 piece and then used my MFT cloud stencil and added a bit more tumbled glass to make the clouds.

I then cut the winter cabin out and added TH distress glitter to the trees, ground and roof of the house. I glued this to the back of the opening, then adhered the front to the back.  This was then mounted onto a 5.5 x 5.5 white card base.

The bell die is from Amy Design - Christmas Bell Corner, and I cut this from some brushed gold ( I bought this from Micheals last winter), then adhered it to the corner. I added some gold glitter peel-offs to the bell dongles for a bit of sparkle.

For the 2nd card I used Impression Obsession fir branch and cut this from shiny silver c/s.  I cut one and then snipped off the longer branch to make it wider rather than longer.  I had some thin silver twine on my desk, so added a tiny bow to hold the ends together. I also added a peel-off sentiment and the bottom.

So there you have it, 2 quick and easy cards to mass produce. I'm still so far off from what I need, but need to work on my Christmas card orders first!

Thanks for stopping by, and have a fabulous week!

Pauline

Bountiful Bouquet

I can't believe it is the weekend already.  We have been on vacation this week, so rather than go away somewhere we decided to stay home and tackle some much need work around the house. We decided to tackle the bathroom, we put a new floor down, fresh paint job, new fixtures etc. It's a lot of work and we are still not done yet, getting there though.  I haven't had  time to stamp, but I did manage to save this one that I coloured a couple of weeks ago when Marcella introduced this beautiful digi image called Bountiful Bouquet. What a gorgeous fall arrangement Marcella has created!

 

I coloured this image using Caran D'ache pencils.  I then cut the mage out using MFT scallop die.  I was going to add some shading in and around the flowers but decided to just ground the pot with some shading along the bottom.

Paper is by Authentique - Thankful.  I added some burgundy ribbon and to make the bow settle into the card I took some great advice from a dear friend Leslie, who suggests to punch a hole in the top layer, this way the knot from the bow will inset a bit which makes it for easier mailing. 

I added some Art Institute bronze glitter to the centers of the daisies.  Using a white gel pen I added some white dots to the persimmons for some added interest.  I left off a sentiment so it can be used for various occasions.

Well it's bed time for me, it's been a long day.  It's almost 10, and lots to do tomorrow.  I'm behind in commenting on the blogs I follow.  I haven't forgotten you, I will get there eventually, just haven't had the time this week.

Enjoy your weekend, and Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian followers!

Hugs,

Pauline

Cherry blossom notecards

Good morning.  I have a couple of quick and easy cards to share with you today.  I've made a couple of these types a few months back.  Basically it is using die cuts and washi tape.  Sound pretty easy? - let me show you.

Sometimes you just need some blank note cards on hand, so these can be used for a variety of occasions as I have left off the sentiment.


I'm using Alexandra Renke washi tape for both of these cards. For the cardstock I'm using, white, MFT grout gray, and some pattern paper from Alexandra Renke.  For the dies on the first crad I used Simon Says stitched circle, and Altenew fine framed circle dies.

When I first saw this paper I was drawn to it because of the bird images. So pretty!  Dies for this one I used PTI Tag Sale #12 die, Altenew fine framed circle, and spellbinder circle to cut the image. I also cut a flourish from vellum to adhere at the top of the tag die behind the bow.

To finish off I added some sequins for a bit of bling.

I'm off this coming week, so I do hope to get a bit of stamping done, but..... we are painting our bathroom and putting down new flooring, plus have to get some birding time in as well.  See you again real soon.  Have a fabulous day, and thanks for stopping by!

Pauline

Jolly snowman Mr. Purdy

Hello all!  Can you believe that it is 3 months until Christmas?  This year is flying by fast.  I've been trying to work on some Christmas cards for myself, but I had a friend order in February, 14 of my Christmas cards I made for last year.  I've been slowing working away at them, I have 5 more to go.
I won't be sharing these with you as I have already posted them last year.  It's just a matter of remaking them all.  Although, I had to do a couple of Mr. Purdy snowman cards, so made this one a bit different, so thought I would share.

Image is coloured with prismacolour pencils. Used a circle die to cut him out then layered onto a small scallop circle.  Paper is from Echo Park - I Love winter.  For the bottom fancy cut paper I used Penny Black die called Border Edgers.  Love the look of this, adds a bit of interest don't you think? Also along the top edge of the stripped paper, I added a white peel-off to finish off the edge.  I have so much of peel-offs, I seldom use them.

To finish off I added some TH distress glitter to his hat, along the branches and along the ground.

Okay, back to working on some more cards.  See you again real soon.

As I'm writing this post, we are in the middle of a nasty thunderstorm.  There are tornado warnings out again for our area, really scary stuff!  Heavy rains through the night until early morning.  Might need the canoe to get to work tomorrow! ha ha, just kidding, but there is a lot of water already and it only started 15 min ago!

Pauline

Chinese Lanterns

I had a chance to do some stamping this week, so decided on a fall image.  It didn't feel much like fall weather here this week, with temperatures in the upper 90's, but a cold front moved through this afternoon, so tonight and the weekend are much cooler (high 60's - low 70's- love this weather).  I haven't done much in the line of 'colouring' an image, so decided to pull out Power Poppy's Sunny Harvest set.  I'm using the "chinese lanterns" from this set.

Using Prisma colour pencils to colour.  I then used an oval die to cut out the image, left the die in place and sponged PTI green parakeet ink around the image.  Next I took MFT stitched oval frame and cut it using some rusty coloured cardstock. 

Designer paper is  from Memory Box. From the scraps of designer paper I cut some leaves using MFT Fab Foliage dies.  Added a twine bow to adhere the leaves together.

To finish off I added some TH distress glitter.

Hope you enjoying your weekend.  See you again real soon.

Pauline

Leftovers

Hello everyone!  The other night I was trying to get my creative juices flowing.  Went on Pinterest, checked out Feedly, blogs, etc, but I continued to be in a rut!! So, I looked on my desk and saw a small pile of cut dies and papers etc and decided to go through it and see what I had.

I happened to have this bird below along with the brown frame and paper all bundled together but nothing was finished.  I believe I was going to make this for Father's Day, but changed my mind and came up with something different. So figured I might as well finish it.  I never have too many 'masculine' cards made ahead.

The background paper is from Bo Bunny - Trail Mix. 
Brown c/s frame is using MFT Stitched square frame
Image of bird is from some designer paper from SU - and just cut out the bird to fit behind the frame.

Added some twine where the two dp meet. It still needed something.  I didn't want to add sequins or enamel dots, so pulled out TH Wildflowers # 2 Thinlets and cut a couple of the stems using metallic bronze c/s.  I wasn't sure at first if I liked the stems, but the more I look at it, I do.

It was a quick card, but another little unfinished project completed!

Thanks for your visit, enjoy your day!

Pauline

Dainty whispers

Hello!  I'm back today to share another Penny Black image. 

I started by applying distress oxide inks to some canson watercolour paper, using twisted citron, cracked pistachio, peakcock feathers & blueprint sketch.

I then stamped the image - dainty whispers, using memento black.  I was sure to put this in my Misti as I was afraid I might not get a good impression first time around, so this way I can re-stamp the image,

Next, I took a wet paintbrush and dotted each flower blossom to remove the oxide ink.  It only takes a few seconds and you can see the ink lifting.  You can dab it with some paper towel to soak it up.

For the corner leafy branch, I used a Penny Black stencil and some blueprint sketch oxide ink. I just love how it fills in the corner and completes the card.

along the bottom I used a Memory Box die cut - Valencia Border.

I added some TH distress glitter on each of the flower petals.

This worked up fast, a good card to mass produce if need be.  Well looks like I'll be back to working 12 hour days again next week, so won't have any time for carding.  I'm trying to squeeze in as much stamping as I can these week nights, and looks like I'll be working this saturday as well.

I do have a couple of cards ready for posting, just need to take some pictures.

See you back here real soon, thanks for your visit.

Pauline

Happy new home

It is sure starting to feel like fall here.  After a week of 100 degree weather, the next week will be much cooler.  Right now at 9 am it is only 61F (compared to  95 yesterday) - reaching up to the 70's this afternoon.  My kind of weather for sure!

I had a request from a co-worker for a 'new home' card.  So what exactly kind of card would you make? I had a funky house image but she wasn't fussy on that, so I told her to leave it with me and I would come up with something.

Plants are always a nice gift for a new home owner, so pulled out this set from MFT , with matching flower pot die, and here is the end result:

I first cut my background white c/s using MFT scallop pierced die.  I then figured where I would place the flower pots, then pulled out a Memory Box stencil and stenciled a bit of a background using antique distress ink.  Plants and pots were stamped and coloured with copics. Then cut the pots out using the matching die, but free hand cut the plants (as I did not have the dies for these).

Happy New Home was embossed on a piece of black c/s, using white embossing powder.  I then trimmed off the edges to the desired length and width, then angled on end.  I glued this down first, then figured out how to arrange the planters.  The middle one is popped up.

To finish off I added some enamel dots.

(BTW - she loved the card :) )

Supplies:
Stamps - MFT - sweet succulents & die, PTI - Keep it simple - home stamp set, Tucked in- New - home stamp set
Die - MFT - scallop stitched rectangle
Copics - G40, G43, G46, YG03, YG21, YG23, YG25, E15, E17, E19, E43, E44, E47, E81, E84, E87, BG34, V05, RV06, RV08, RV21
Misc - white embossing powder, enamel dots, antique distress ink, Memory box stencil

Have a wonderful weekend, enjoy!

Pauline

Birds #3

Hello all, and happy Labour Day! It's nice to have an extra long weekend isn't it?  And back to school starts tomorrow as well.  I know in the US a lot of schools have already started their school year in August.

Well it's been quite a day so far.  I was doing a load of laundry and my drier died! :(.  So good thing I have clothes lines. It's over 100 again today, so with that heat it dried them pretty quickly along with the bit of breeze.  Then about 5 min ago winds picked up and the sky darkened, thunder and lightening,  and then the heavens opened up - torrential downpour and strong winds.  When the weather gets this hot it's always a trigger for Tornadoes! (I did manage to grab the clothes before all this started.) The heavy winds also tore off our Gazebo top ( canvas), ripped the 2 corners and away it went!

Well lets get back to why you are really here - too see some more of our photographs.  These were taken around our area over the last couple of weekends. Enjoy the show.  (for larger image please click the picture).

 

 I was at the kitchen sink and just happened to look out the back kitchen window and saw this guy sitting looking for his dinner! Bill was able to capture some pictures of him.  He wasn't successful in his catch so off he flew after about 10 min.  We get these guys a lot especially fall and winter. 

I hope you enjoyed the pictures.  I'm sure I'll have more to come soon.
Have a great day!

Pauline

Bejewled x 2

A quick post tonight to share a couple of Penny Black cards.  This image is called Bejewled.
I'm a bit behind in posting as I have been working lots of overtime over the last 4 weeks, which leaves no time for stamping. These 2 cards I finished back in July.

Using my Misti, white cardstock and Memento inks.  As these were done a while ago I did not keep track of the colours I used. After I was done with the stamping, I sponged some inks for the background.

I didn't want to stamp a sentiment on the front, but felt it needed something.  I pulled out my container of pre-cut dies cuts and came across this swirly one and thought it looked interesting along the bottom.  This die is from Memory Box - Valencia border.

I kept it fairly simple, I didn't even add wink of stella for a bit of sparkle!

Since I had my Misti out and stamp inside, I decided to to another card using the same stamp but different colours. Again I used Memento inks.

 
I cut out the image using a die from MFT.  Leaving the die in place I sponged some inks for the background.
For this one, I stamped 'Hi there' in black versafine and then added some white chiffon ribbon tied on a diagonal along the bottom portion.

I love how these turned out.  Once you get going on these types of brushstoke stamps and your Misti, they work up pretty quick.

I hope to get back to stamping soon, O/T should wrap up this week, and with the long weekend ahead, I hope to get into my craft room.  Thanks for being patient and continuing to follow.  I will have some more bird pictures in my next post, so stay tuned.

Have a wonderful day!

Pauline

Summer birds #2

I don't have a card to share today, but I do have some more of our birding photographs.  These were taken over the past few weekends. Most of these are Bill's photo's, to tell the difference between mine and Bill's, if you look at the bottom right hand corner of each photo, if my name is first, then I took it, if Bill's is first then he took it! Fall migration is starting to happen, as we are seeing more birds each weekend moving through the area and heading south for the winter. 

So sit back and enjoy the show! (click each to enlarge).

 

I have a few more pictures, but for some reason they wouldn't upload.  I will have Bill take a look and do another post next week.  I hope you enjoyed these.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Pauline