A Birthday Card turns into a Christmas Card

This week, while we were waiting for the Blizzard clean up, a friend came over to make cards.  She is a beginner, so I was helping her, and in the meanwhile, I used some of the scraps that were laying out.  This is what I came up with.

It was simple, took just a few minutes, and I was very happy with it because I could use this card for any recipient.  

My friend then said, "Hey, you should turn that into a Christmas card. You could even write J-O-Y on the boxes.  It would be cute! "

So I did it.

And it is cute!

Honestly, the very best thing, other than this fun memory with my friend, is that these cards are totally flat for mailing.  That is a priority for me for Christmas cards so that the postage does not add up.

Supplies:

Gina K Designs Happy Birthday to You stamp set

Versafine Onyx Black ink

Crate Paper Party Day 6x6 paper pad

American Crafts Wish List 6x6 Paper pad

Versamark ink

Recollections White detail embossing powder

Hero Arts Merry Christmas sentiment stamp

Distress ink to sponge some of the packages

These projects will be entered into the following challenges:

SimonSaysStamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes!

Rudolph Days - January 2016

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I really appreciate it!

Valentine Tag Card

It is unusual for me to post twice in one day, but I have been trying to do more challenges this year, plus it is Winterfest, a week full of stamping challenges, over at Artsy Inkers.

Here is a Valentine I made this afternoon.

I used some Perfect Pearls to alter the background paper.  Of course, a photo cannot capture exactly how fun this looks, since it changes in the light.  I then made a tag and used a chalkboard effect.  This was fun to make!

Supplies:

Gina K Designs Birthday Blessings Stamp set

Perfect Medium

Red Perfect Pearls

Versamark Ink

White embossing powder

Avery Elle Silver Fox pigment ink

Pebbles Yours Truly 6x6 Paper pad

Cork Sticker from the Target Dollar Spot

This project will be entered into the following challenges:

Winterfest 2016 Three in One

SimonSaysStamp Monday Challenge - Love is in the Air + Use Red

StampTV - Tag, You're It!

Lawn Fawn - Year Four Card

I combined a challenge to make your own patterned paper with a challenge to use critters on the card.  This is what I came up with.

I did all my stamping on watercolor paper.  The background was done coloring with water-based markers, blending out with a lighter marker. The coloring for the focal image was done with markers, blending out with a water brush.  

Supplies:

Lawn Fawn Year Four stamp set

Versafine Onyx black ink

Tombow Water based markers

Canson watercolor paper

This project will be entered into the following challenges:

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Create with Critters

Winterfest 2016 - Stamp Your Ground (Artsy Inters Stamping Community)

Paper Piecing with Art Impressions Watercolor

The challenge at the Art Impressions blog right now is paper piecing.  I love paper piecing, but the only AI stamps I have are from their watercolor series.  I pulled them all out to see what I could do, and I did come up with something that I think is cute.  I also combined this with the ModSquad Love is in the Air challenge, since I definitely need inspiration to make enough Valentines.

(Please click on the photos if you want to see more detail.)

I started with a background that I gave a blue watercolor wash.  When that was dry, I stamped the flowers, watering can and grass with Tombow Markers.  Instead of pulling the color out with a brush, like the traditional AI watercolor method, I instead pulled the color out with a lighter colored marker. It was a different, but cute look!

I then paper pieced the watering can.  Before glueing it down, I did sponge some color around the edge to give some nice shadows.  

The glitter hearts were applied to the edge with glossy accents. I wish this was an original idea but I recently saw it on the Unity Facebook page, and I will try to find a link.  I think it is a great way to use more chunky glitter!

Supplies:

Art Impressions watercolor series stamps

Tombow Water Based makers

Canson Watercolor paper

Paplin's basics heart die cut

Pebbles Yours Truly 6x6 Patterned paper pack

Sweet Forever Mini Heart Spangles

This project will be entered into the following challenge:

Art Impressions Paper Piecing Party Challenge

ModSquad Challenge Blog Love is in the Air

Gina K Designs Spring Blessings

I plan on using this card for a Valentine.  I hope you can see the detail better in the following photo.  I created the focal point by first doing a watercolor wash on watercolor paper using Koi pan watercolors.  I then stamped over this and colored direct to paper with Tombow markers.  I added glitter to much of the image. 

Supplies:

Gina K Designs Spring Blessings Stamp set

Versafine Ink

Tombow water-based markers

Quickie Glue pen

Recollections Extra Fine Glitter - Glitz

Card base is a very old one from an Anna Griffin Cardmaking set

Gina K Birthday Blessings with Kaleidacolor Ink

I only have one Kaleidacolor ink pad, and it is fun to work with!  You get such pretty results with little effort.  It was fun to make this card and refreshing not to make a Christmas card or project.  It was fun to add "just a pinch" of sequins.  They are all in style right now, but I have almost never used them before.

Supplies:

Gina K Birthday Blessings stamp set

Kaleidacolor Berry Blaze Ink pad

Versafine Onyx Black ink pad

Neenah 80 pound Classic Crest Cardstock

Sequins from my stash

This project will be submitted to the following challenge(s):

ModSquad: Anything But a Christmas card

Simon Says Stamp Monday: Just a Pinch

Gift Tag - Power Poppy Short Stacks

I decided to stamp out some more Power Poppy images and was inspired by their Go for the Gold challenge and the Gifts from the Heart challenge, and the Simon Says Stamp Tag it challenge.

I colored the image with Derwent Inktense watercolor pencils.  I enjoyed adding the gold accents with a gel pen.  I need a bit more practice, but this will make a great gift tag.  I think it could be used for Christmas since it is versions of red and green.  

Supplies:

Power Poppy - Short Stacks stamp set

Versafine Onyx Black ink

Derwent Inktense pencils

Watercolor paper

Gold gel pen

Ribbons from my stash

This project will be entered into the following challenges:

Power Poppy Time to Rewind
Simon Says Stamp - Wednesday - Tag It!