Pine Cone Christmas Card 2015

Today is the final result of my 40 Christmas cards that I send to family and friends. Looking back I see changes that I should have made.  Not quite satisfied but to late now to make changes. 

Each year I tire easily when making so many cards of the same.  To me it gets a little redundant and boring.  However, I take a bit of self satisfaction at the end process.  

Here is a peek at the inside verse I chose and made on my computer program.  No stamp needed for the inside verse.  I also computer generate my husband and my name to the inside bottom  and it helps it look a little a bit more professional like they were sent out for printing. 

This year friends and family will be receiving them a little early so I can concentrate on other holiday chores.   As the holiday season is soon approaching I hope your getting all your Christmas cards and plans started?

Merry Christmas love to all!

Pine Cone Christmas....

As promised here is a preview of my Christmas cards I've been working on for this years season.  My hubby surprised me with this shot for you.   Not really a very flattering shot of me, is it?  You also get a sneak peak at my crafting table here where I work in our office. 

This year I choose to make my Christmas cards similar to the post I posted last Dec. 9th, 2014.   Last year I bought this pine cone stamp and made a preliminary card in Dec. 9th post to see if I liked it the pine cone stamp? I made a few changes to this card rather than the one I made last year.   Obviously I did like the stamp because I made 40 of the same kind of cards with it to send on to family and friends for this holiday season.  40 cards is still not enough to send to each person I would like to but the expense is truly great as you probably already know.  The postage alone is a heavy duty.  Not to mention the supplies and die cut expenses.  I'm sure each person that receives them really has no idea.... as to the time, expense and work involved each year?  Unless you're a fellow stamper, then you would understand what I'm talking about?

I work on them a little at a time, as time permits trying not to be overwhelmed with doing to many at one time.    Sometime I leave them on the desk for days until I can get back into the realm of crafting. 

This picture shows you a few changes that I used as I bought the pine cone die cut to pop up and a Merry Christmas die cut and found a  larger pine cone at JoAnn's Fabrics earlier this year.  I had Christmas card thoughts in mind when I purchased the two different die cuts.  I used white Acrylic Paint and a small paint brush and dabbed on snowflakes to give it a more realistic Christmas time look to it. 

Next week I'll show you a close up of this card.  So...hope you return for the final preview?  

As The Ocean Churns....

As the old saying goes....She's back!   Sorry for another delay here folks.  Life is so hectic.  

I sent this off to my dear girlfriend for her birthday and wanted an ocean themed card.  This is what I came up with.  The glittered background represents the feeling of the suns rays reflecting off the ocean water into the air.  The ocean waves churning up sea shells to the shore.  

Yes....those are a few real (very tiny) star fish and a couple real shells.  No...I didn't find them, they found me in the craft store.  LOL!  

I received word from my girlfriend and she was pleasantly tickled with this card.  It gave her a sense of a feeling at the beach.  

All for today and wishing you all a happy snappy day.  My next post may bring a peek into the Christmas season that is not far from us all.  I've been working on my Christmas cards that I send to family and friends.  I got a very late start on them this year, so I'm rushing to get them ready.  

Apologizes!!!!

I do apologize!  I know it's been ages since my last post.  Please do forgive me.  Life sometimes takes us in directions that we don't have control over?  Mine has been hectic with out going into my personal life.  However, today I felt inspired to share this pretty little card. 

It was my girlfriends birthday last month so I sent this one off to her in a hurry.  I made it sometime ago for her.  The background was sprayed with my Mica powders to make a pretty colored background rather than plain paper.  I tried to show you a close up here?

I used one of my favorite stamp set from Stampin Up and added a pretty flower, a bow and used this pretty die cut that I have to finish it off with a corner square bling brad. 

Till next time.... I do hope your are enjoying fall weather and the beautiful colored leaves.  

Hugs...to all!  

StampFest 2015....

Yes....once again this year I traveled for the  June 27-28, 2015 StampFest in Lakeland Fl.  I enjoy buying new items for my collection and love the fun of seeing new techniques and watching Tim Holtz once again, as he worked.  Here are a few pictures I snapped for you.   I also took a video of him working however, I cannot figure out how to transfer the video from my phone to my laptop.  So these will have to do?

Thanks for stopping and hopefully I'll get a new card posted for you to view from my collection sometime soon?  

Double Hearts and Doily....

Hello girls!  Time for another....

I made this lovely card and used my Stampin' Up stamp for the background called "Hello Doily".  A favorite for many.  The butterfly is a little crocked in the picture but I will be sure to straighten out before sending it to someone.   

I used my tiny snowflake punch and used a larger on while placing some stamped pink flowers and another snowflake on top of it.  I think by adding the snowflakes to the flowers it helped add a different touch and special textured look here.  Personally I liked the effect.  Remember...by clicking on each picture it should blow up the picture for you to view better.  

I had fun making this card and will probably give it to my daughter for her birthday.  Shh....lets hope she doesn't peek in today on my blog to spoil it for herself?  I'm taking a chance here.  I thought it was to pretty to wait to share it. 

Summer Winds....

I wanted to show you this picture so you could see how pretty the glitter paper I used in the background of this card..... really glitters!  Finally my camera picked it up well.  

This is a older card I made way back in Oct of last year and do not remember who I sent it to?  I usually keep track of what card I send to who so that I don't repetitiously put the same computer generated verse inside the next card I send to that person.

Here is a close up of my homemade pansy's that I made with my rose die cut.  If you click here it will take you to my past tutorial on how these were made from a Spellbinders Rose Die Cut?

I added the sweet butterfly and noticed in this picture one little area I forgot to knock out the perforated edge.  

Well , summer is certainly taken hold where I live with hot high temps and humid air.  I hope the summer weather is treating you all well , wherever you live?

Happy News....

So I know it's been a while and thought it was time to start a new post for those of you who have asked where I've been.  Sorry it's taken so long to get back to blog land.

I have happy news to share with you and made this quick card to send off to my son Ryan and and his new bride to be.  We have a wedding in the making and are just thrilled with my son's choice.  They seems perfect for one another while their personality complements each other.    We love her dearly (Beth) and look forward to a wedding sometime next spring?  In the mean time I made this quick card to congratulate them both.   She received it today and was tickled.

I embossed the heart with white embossing powder and cut them out free hand which shows up much more nicely in real time.  I placed white glitter paper behind the embossed front to help give it a little more wedding glam.  Added a quick organza bow and a plastic engagement ring that I had among my stash.  I tailored a computer verse just for them.  

I love weddings so I'm looking forward to the future event and having Beth as our new Daughter-In-Law and look forward to many years of fun and love with Beth as a family member.  I couldn't ask for anything better!

Thanks for dropping by and hope to hear from you all?

I'll Be Back shortly....

In case you've been wondering where I've been, I'll let you in on a little secret.  Im recuperating from surgery.  So don't give up.... I hope to be back in a few more weeks and need a bit more rest?   So hang in there and check back a little later.   I miss you all!