Happy New Year 2020

It's almost time to ring in the new year.  I wish you could really see how beautiful and sparkly this card is.  The light tent nor the natural light did it justice.  I'm planning on staying home tonight, watch movies and hang with my family.  Nothing too exciting but it makes me happy.

Stamp(s):  Simple Strips-Holiday (Taylored Expressions)
Ink(s):  Jet Black (Altenew)
Cardstock:  Gold Glitter Cardstock (The Paper Studio); Basic Black, Whisper White (Stampin' Up!)
Dies:  Mini Strips Die (Taylored Expressions);  Alphabet Dies (Cheapo Dies)
Other:  Silver Sequins (Taylored Expressions); Rhinestone Basic Jewels (Stampin' Up!)

Today I'm playing along with the Always Fun Challenges.  The theme was "New Year 2020".  For all the challenge details, click the image below. 

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha

Deepest Sympathy

With the joy of Christmas just past, it is hard to be brought back to earth with needing a sympathy card.  My daughter-in-law's uncle passed away on Christmas Day.  This is the card I made to send to her dad as it was his brother. 

Stamp(s):  Woven Heirlooms, Timeless Tropical (Stampin' Up!);
Simple Strips Background (Taylored Expressions)

Ink(s):  Jet Black (Altenew)

Colored Pencils:  Dark Green PC908, Grass Green PC909 (Prismacolor Colored Pencils)
Cardstock:  Gray Granite, Merry Merlot, Whisper White (Stampin' Up!)
Dies:  In The Tropics Dies (Stampin' Up!); Simple Strips Die (Taylored Expressions)
Other:  Raindrop Gems, Gamsol

I've entered my card into the following challenges:

Brown Sugar Challenge

Lavinia World Challenge

Cute Card Thursday

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha

Celebrate You

Making cards that are easy to mail are one of my favorite things to do.  I have several birthdays coming up in January and a clean and simple card to send is ideal.  This one if two simple die-cuts and two stamped words.  I love the crisp look of it.

Stamp(s):  Just Because (Stampin' Up!)
Ink(s):  Jet Black (Altenew)
Cardstock:  Crumb Cake, Whisper White (Stampin' Up!)
Dies:  Celebrate Die (Taylored Expressions)

My card was made for the Perfectly CAS challenge.  The theme was "celebrate".  For all the challenge details, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha

Feels Like Frost

The mountains are covered with snow and it looks like a winter wonderland out my window.  Of course the snow didn't make it down to the valley floor so I'm happy.  I love that most of the snow stays in the upper elevations.

The December challenge for the 52 Christmas Card Throwdown Challenge was to use any challenge from 2019.  I chose challenge Sketch 52cct-February 2019.  You'll find the links below. 

Stamp(s):  Christmas Gleaming (Stampin' Up!)
Ink(s):  Night of Navy (Stampin' Up!)
Cardstock:  Night of Navy, Seaside Spray, Whisper White (Stampin' Up!)
Patterned Paper:  Feels Like Frost Designer Series Paper (Stampin' Up!)
Other:  Icy Sparkle Crystals (Studio Katia)

I'm entering my card in the 52 Christmas Card Throwdown Challenge.  Click the images to check out all the details of the challenge. 

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha

Merry Christmas

Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #348

It's time for a new sketch from the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge.  Today I have my final Christmas card of the season.  All that I need are made and await a written note, an envelope and a stamp.  It will be a fun afternoon of getting them ready for the mail.

I used the same Holiday Florals stamp set along with the Pine Clipping Die.  This time I used Real Red, Old Olive, Mossy Meadow, Soft Sea Foam, Pear Pizzazz and Soft Suede for the colors.  I cut the circle from the front of the card base and added the pine boughs to the inside of the card so they show throw the opening. 

Stamp(s): Holiday Florals (Taylored Expressions)
Ink(s):  Real Red, Old Olive, Mossy Meadow, Soft Suede (Stampin' Up!)
Cardstock:  Old Olive, Mossy Meadow, Soft Sea Foam, Whisper White (Stampin' Up!)
Dies:  Holiday Florals, Pine Clippings (Taylored Expressions); Standard Circles (Spellbinders)
Other:  Iridescent Gems; Orange Wink of Stella Brush (Zig)

This is how I arranged the pine clippings on the inside of the card.  I was going to put them around the circle opening but thought they would hold up better placed on the actual card.

For all of our challenge details and to share your project, visit the Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge by clicking the image below.  We’d love to have you join us.  You have until Sunday, December 29th at 8:39 p.m. Pacific Standard Time to link up your project.

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha

Tis The Season

Okay, Okay!  I know I said I had all my Christmas cards made but you know how it is when you get a new stamp set and just can't wait to play with it.  Bright Lights Background is another stamp that has a large rubber background stamp and photopolymer stamps for filling in those cool lights.  It makes creating a background so easy.  I love them.

Stamp(s):  Bright Lights Background, Simple Strips-Christmas (Taylored Expressions)
Ink(s):  Lovely Lipstick, Blueberry Bushel, Pineapple Punch, Call Me Clover (Stampin' Up!); Jet Black (Altenew)
Cardstock:  Whisper White (Stampin' Up!)
Dies:  Simple Strips Die (Taylored Expressions)
Other:  Iridescent Gems, Spectrum Noir Sparkle Pen

I'm thinking this would make an awesome thank you card, too.  You know you just have to send those thank you cards for all the great gifts you get, right!

I've played along with the following challenges:

Just Us Girls Challenge

Christmas Kickstart Challenge

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha

Rest & Relax

With all my Christmas cards done and in the mail, I had the chance to play with a new Timeless Tropical stamp and die set.  It's a new set coming out next month and I have to say I love it.  I'm looking forward to making a whole lot of these pretty flowers.

The challenge at The Flower Challenge is to use a die and I actually used several from this set.  The background is made from die-cuts.  I even used the pineapple top in the background behind the flower.  I was actually just playing around and thought it looked pretty so made it into a card.  I know just the person who needs this.

Stamp(s):  Timeless Tropical (Stampin' Up!)
Ink(s):  Jet Black (Altenew)

Watercolor Pencils:  Pumpkin Pie, Old Olive, Daffodil Delight (Stampin' Up!)
Cardstock:  Pumpkin Pie, Mango Melody, Old Olive, Whisper White (Stampin' Up!); Mixed Media Paper (Strathmore)
Dies:  In The Tropics Dies (Stampin' Up!)
Other:  Icy Sparkle Crystals (Studio Katia)

This is such a pretty flower that I plan to make many more in a whole lot of colors.  I think I'm going to go with blue for the next one.

I'm playing along with The Flower Challenge.  For all the challenge details, click the image below.

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha

WWC252 - Marsha's Special 3-Week "Anything Goes" Challenge

Hello and welcome to the next installment of the Watercooler Wednesday Challenge.  This week I'm hosting our last challenge of the year.  It's a Special  3-Week "Anything Goes" challenge to finish up this year and welcome in the new.    We’d love to have you join us and share your creation.

For this card, I tried a new fold technique.  I came across it while doing a wee bit of inspiration browsing.  Dawn has a great tutorial for a box card.  You can find her tutorial HERE.  

What I love about this card, is that it has room for a small gift.  A gift card will fit as would a handkerchief or necklace or a pair of earrings.

Stamp Set: Very Versailles (Stampin' Up!)

Ink: Gorgeous Grape (Stampin' Up!)

Cardstock: Purple Posy, Gorgeous Grape (Stampin' Up!)

Patterned Paper:  Perennial Essence Designer Series Paper (Stampin' Up!)
Dies:  Happy Birthday Die (Sizzix); Stitched Shapes Dies (Stampin' Up!)

Other: 5/8" Polka Dot Tulle Ribbon, Linen Thread, Pearl Basic Jewels (Stampin' Up!)

For all of our challenge details and to share your project, visit the Watercooler Wednesday Challenge by clicking the image below.  We’d love to have you join us.  You have until Monday, January 6th at 4:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time to link up your project.

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha

With Love at Christmastime

You know, I thought I had all of the Christmas cards made I needed and here I am sharing another one.  I love this big poinsettia.

I already had the poinsettia stamp so I took my Taylored Expressions Blender Brushes and blended Cherry Pop ink all over it.  I added some Gold Embossing Powder to the center and, having forgotten to use my anti-static brush, the powder got all over the flower.  I decided to leave it and heat embossed it.  I like the way it added some texture to the flower.  I did fussy cut the poinsettia and popped it up with foam tape.  For the finishing touch, I added a few Iridescent Gems.

Stamp(s):  Big Blooms:  Poinsettia, Shiplap Background, Simple Strips:  Christmas (Taylored Expressions)
Ink(s):  Cherry Pop, Earl Grey (Taylored Expressions); Jet Black (Altenew)
Cardstock:  Whisper White (Stampin' Up!)
Patterned Paper:  Lily Impressions Designer Series Paper (Stampin' Up!)
Dies:  Simple Strips Die (Taylored Expressions)
Other:  Gold Embossing Powder (Ranger); Iridescent Gems

I'm entering my pretty poinsettia in the following challenges: 

Day of the Month Card Club Challenge

The Sisterhood of Crafters

 

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha

WWC251 - Dawn's "All About Occasions" Challenge

Hello and welcome to the next installment of the Watercooler Wednesday Challenge.  This week Dawn is hosting our "All About Occasions" challenge.  We’d love to have you join us and share your creation.

 

Stamp Set: Flower (Stampin' Up!); Simple Strips-Friendship (Taylored Expressions)

Ink: Jet Black (Altenew); Oreo (Taylored Expressions)

Cardstock: Whisper White, Bermuda Bay (Stampin' Up!)

Dies: Frame in Frame 2 Cutting Plate (Taylored Expressions)

Other: Weathered Embossing Folder (Taylored Expressions)

For all of our challenge details and to share your project, visit the Watercooler Wednesday Challenge by clicking the image below.  We’d love to have you join us.  You have until Monday, December 16th at 4:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time to link up your project.

Thanks for stopping by,

Marsha