random reflections

25 Days of Christmas Tags: Final Five

As it turns out there was a bonus day for Tracy McNeely's 25 Days of Christmas Tags challenge, so here are the last five. 

Day 22 was inspired by Channin Pelletier who created a series of tags with poinsettias. I recently purchased a 12x12 piece of Alexandra Renke patterned paper, and fussy cut one of the beautiful poinsettias. The sentiment was gold embossed and I added some gold Stickles to the center of the flower. The gold is not showing up well in any of these photos.

Tag: Paper Source; Stamp: Papertrey Ink "Signature Christmas"

Day 23 was inspired by Lisa Henke.

Dies: Papertrey Ink "Tag Sale #4," Hero Arts " Happy Holly Days," Concord & 9th "Mistletoe Card Frame;" Stamps: Hero Arts "Happy Holly Days;" Zig watercolor pens; Nuvo glitter pen on bow

Day 24 was inspired Kim Heggins. As in the bow above, the holly leaves were covered with a Nuvo glitter pen which is lovely IRL, but didn't photograph well.

Dies: Papertrey Ink "Tag Sale #4" and "Sending Joy;" Stamps: "Sending Joy;" Kaiser rhinestones

Day 25 was inspired by the shaker ornament created by Jessica Frost-Ballas.

Die: Simon Says "Stitched Circles," My Favorite Things "Stylish Snowflakes;" Impression Obsession "Shake It: Shaker Card Pouches;" sequins

And last, the bonus tag, a riff on Day 22 inspired by Tracy McNeely's wine bottle tag.

Papertrey Ink "Wine Bottle Tag," Alexandra Renke patterned paper, Papertrey Ink " Stylish Sentiments: Holiday" embossed in gold, gold Stickles

When I began this challenge I wasn't sure I'd be able to keep up, but I really enjoyed it, and enjoyed using so many of my holiday stamps, some of which were purchased many years ago. I thought about half of them would be used for the family gift exchange, but on Thanksgiving we wisely decided to drop the gift exchange since no one needs anything. To replace the fun of the gift exchange (which inevitably caused a great deal of laughter) we're going to go back to playing games after dinner. Now many of these tags will be turned into Christmas cards, as I have more than I need for gifts!

 

 

Ella Turns Four!

Ella celebrated with her friends earlier in the month, but on Saturday she was officially four years old, and the family gathered to celebrate with dinner. She requested a confetti cake, no frosting which she helped make earlier in the day.

In keeping with the theme of her party with her friends, I used her invitation as inspiration for her card, and a gift card holder.

I had all the necessary supplies for a space related card, having made Caleb one last year for his birthday.

I die cut a piece of True Black cardstock with a Simon Says "Star Stream" die and layered it on a top-folding card made from Bright Buttercup. Then I die cut a variety of planets, stars, and a rocket ship from scraps of bright cardstock, arranging them among the stars. 

Papertrey Ink's "Folded Pocket Tag" die arrived just a week or so ago, and worked perfectly for tucking in a gift card to Barnes & Noble. "You're a Star" is a Simon Says die, and the ribbon is from Paper Source. Ella and I have a lunch date with a trip to Barnes & Noble to follow, so the celebration isn't quite over.

I'm linking this up with the Seize the Birthday challenge: Tags.

Papertrey Ink November 2018 Blog Hop

This month's inspiration photo for the Papertrey Ink Blog Hop left lots of room for interpretation.

When I started thinking about a card for the hop, I laid out several stamp sets as possibilities. I ended up stamping and die cutting images from "Sending Joy" and "Forest Floor Winter" without any clear design in mind. Once I had a pile of images I started playing around with some arrangements. Looking at the photo, I also pulled out some of the Pure Poppy "Bitty Big" striped paper. At some point I looked at the packages, and remembered I'd just purchased a die for a stitched bow from My Favorite Things. I die cut it from Pure Poppy felt, and liked it so much I went with the idea of creating a kind package on the card. This process is really different for me, but I ended up with a card I like, and one very different from anything I'd thought of in the beginning. It's also a departure from my usual CAS designs.

I decided to center the "package" in the open frame from the "Bold Borders: Yuletide" die which was cut from white and layered on a white card base. The "Bitty Big" papers fit in the middle space, and then it was just a case of arranging the rest of the elements. I had planned to use the JOY from "Sending Joy," but it was too large. I ended up die cutting this smaller joy from Pinefeather to balance the green from the branches. The die is from an older W plus 9 set, "Hand Lettered Holiday." I added the blue berries to incorporate that color from the inspiration photo.

Using some Stabilo pens I added some dimension to the pine boughs and the berries. It's hard to see here, but the red berries have a coating of Nuvo shimmer on them. I'm curious to see how others have used this inspiration piece. You can check it out right here, as well.

Headin' Home

I've always loved the images of little red cars (or trucks) with a Christmas tree on top. Last year, I acquired two different versions of the little car with a tree. When I saw the AAA Cards Challenge "On the Move," I knew I wanted to play along. Then The Card Concept showed up with a great photo challenge with a pillow with, you guessed it, a little red car with a Christmas tree on top. Then I saw the CAS(e) This Sketch this week, and I thought I could turn the sketch on its side, and come up with a CAS card for all three challenges.

So here it is---a card for three challenges, so unusual for me.

Simon Says "Fog" cardbase, PTI True Black and Weathervane, and a strip of bright yellow from the scrap bin. The stamps are from a tiny Hero Arts set by Kelly Purkey, and the card was bumped out with dimensional tape on a Simon Says "Stitched Circle" die cut. The little car was colored with Copic markers.

Pretty quick and easy, but fun!

CAS Watercolour Challenge

The CAS Watercolour Challenge has been on my to-do list since the day they posted it. It took me until the very last day of the challenge to get the card made.

I wanted the Essentials by Ellen "Mondo Holly" from the moment I saw it, but waited until there was a sale. I knew it was just waiting to be watercolored. 

I got out my Daniel Smith watercolors for this since I wanted to mix the right greens and reds. They are lovely watercolors, and I should keep them on my desk! 

Fussy cutting the holly on watercolor paper took awhile, but it's such a large image, that seemed like the best alternative. Once that was done, I looked around for a base, and found the Papertrey Ink "Scallop Stackers-Small" which I had never used before. I layered it onto a Pure Poppy top-folded card, after stamping the sentiment which is from the same stamp set.

Last, I added some Nuvo shimmer to the berries, and a few Rainstones from Papertrey Ink. I think this might be the first Christmas card I've completed, although I have multiple in the works. I don't need nearly as many this year, as we had photo cards printed for family and friends who know our family. They came yesterday, and I am really pleased with them.

 

25 Days of Christmas Tags: Part 4

There are only four more days left in Tracey McNeely's 25 Days of Christmas Tags challenge. I haven't lost my enthusiasm for the project. It's been a lot of fun to see what products I had that would work for a given inspiration piece. 

We were at the gym early this morning, but after that I had no place I needed to go for the rest of the day. It's such an unusual and lovely circumstance, but there might be another day like it before the long holiday weekend is over. First off the bat, I got the tag done for today, so here are the tags for Days 18-21.

Day 18: Inspired by Tracey McNeeley:

Dies: Simon Says "Stitched Dress-up Tag," Spellbinders "Large Circles;" Stamps: Papertrey Ink "Christmas Cuts Sentiments;" Patterned paper: MME "Comfort and Joy"

Day 19: Inspired by Teri Anderson:

Die: Simon Says "Stitched Dress-up Tag;" Stamps: My Favorite Things "Llama Days," Hero Arts "Color Layering Poinsettias;" rhinestone stars

Day 20: Inspired by Larissa Heskett. I loved the mistletoe image used by a variety of designers on Day 20. Not finding my only mistletoe stamp the first round, I ended up using a piece of patterned paper by Pink Fresh Studio. This is one of those tags that looks a LOT better IRL than in the photograph. There's a blue cast to the photo, and the dimension of the Nuvo drops doesn't show up well either. It's actually one of my favorite tags of the project. 

Here's a closer look--the color is more correct and the Nuvo drops show up a bit better.

Dies: Papertrey Ink "Folded Pocket Die" (one layer trimmed off) & "Skinny Mini Banners;" Patterned paper: Pink Fresh Studio "Oh, Joy;" Stamp: Essentials by Ellen "Mondo Holly"

Day 21: Inspired by Elena Roussakis:

Dies: Papertrey Ink "Tag Sale #4," My Favorite Things "Chill Wishes;" Stamp: MFT "Chill Wishes;" Simon Says "Falling Snow" stencil; embossing paste, Copic markers

If you are celebrating the US Thanksgiving holiday tomorrow, I hope the day is blessed with good friends and family. 

 

  

Seize the Birthday: Clean and Simple

I have a last minute entry for the current Seize the Birthday challenge which is Clean and Simple---just my thing!

It's using an old, but goodie, Papertrey Ink die "One Liners: Happy." I die cut the banner several times to get the different colors for the greeting. Before adhering it to my white card base, I added some scored lines at the top for texture. Then I stamped the sentiment from another oldie, but goodie: "Birthday Bash Sentiments."

All that was needed then were three little matte enamel dots. 

Off to get an anniversary card made that needs to go in the mail today!

 

 

25 Days of Christmas Tags: Part 3

I got caught up yesterday with the latest set of tags for Tracey McNeely's 25 Days of Christmas Tags challenge. It's continuing to be a lot of fun, and although I like some of these tags better than others, I would have never made any of them if not for the challenge.

I didn't lay them out in quite the right order, because I didn't make them in the right order. I made Day 13 before Day 12, and that's how they were arranged for the photo. Nonetheless, I'll start with Day 12 which was inspired by Melody Rupple. I like her square tags better than the one I came up with, but I'm guessing this one will look OK on the right package. It doesn't show in the photo, but there is Rock Candy Glitter on the branches of the main tag.

Dies: PTI: "Shape Shifters Square 3," Simon Says "Holiday Ornaments," W+9 "Hand Lettered Holiday" & "Woodland Basics;" Stamp: "Holiday Ornaments;" Patterned paper: American Craft

Day 13: Inspired by Latisha Yoast

Dies: PTI "Tag Sale #1," MFT "Deer Love;" Stamp: W+9 "Woodland Wreaths;" Patterned Paper: Lawn Fawn "Into the Woods;" white gel pen

Day 14: Inspired by Ardyth Percy-Robb. This was one of the most beautiful tags that's been posted on the challenge. I had no idea if I could come up with anything that I liked. In the end, I'm pretty happy with it, although it will never rival Ardyth's. 

Dies: PTI "Bookmark," Pinkfresh Studio "Botanical Branch;" Stamp: PTI "Rustic Wreath; pearls, silk ribbon

Day 15: Inspired by Monica Taylor:

I was hoping a tag would show up that would give me the opportunity to use a new die by Essentials by Ellen, "Prize Stag." Here's a better look at it. I know just who's name is going on the back of this one for the gift exchange on Thursday.

Premade tag, December Daily kit sentiment, Spellbinders "Label 4" die

Day 16: Inspired by Kelly Griglione. I've always love this set by My Favorite Things, so I was happy  to have a chance to use it again. This one will definitely go on one of the grandchildren's gifts.

Dies: PTI "Tag Sale #1," MFT "Polar Bear Pals;" Stamps: "Polar Bear Pals," Simon Says "Merry & Bright;" Cardstock: Paper Source; patterned paper: MME "Comfort & Joy"

Day 17: Inspired by Kim Heggins. This one might be my favorite of the bunch, although it really is prettier IRL.

Dies: PTI "Tag Sale #5," Simon Says "Kate Snowflake;" glitter tape, Simon Says "Sparkle and Shine" sequins

I'm entering the Day 17 tag in the Inspired By: Classy Christmas challenge. I focused on the colors (blue, gold, and white) of the beautiful photo for this challenge.

I haven't had a chance today to look at the Day 18 tags, but should be able to keep up this week since my schedule is no where near as busy as it's been the last several. Having a holiday really clears it out. Good thing, since the list of things to do grows longer daily. I'm really ready to decorate for Christmas despite the fact that Thanksgiving is as early as it can be. 

 

 

Take Three Thursday

For this week's Take Three Thursday, I thought I'd share the three purchases we made at the Regal Nurseries in Virgil, Ontario on Friday. We got our first significant snow yesterday (with more on the way tonight!) Although I'm definitely not ready for snow, and there are still LOTS of leaves on some of our trees, I have to admit, the yard looked beautiful covered in the fresh snow. So I pulled on some boots and went out to take these photos.

Tracy spotted this lawn ornament, and we both love it. The bell rings when the wind blows, and there's a red pinecone (covered in snow) to the right of the bell. We've already seen birds perch on the top of the letter J next to the cardinal. 

Actually Tracy gets credit for all three purchases. He took me back to see a variety of bird feeders. We liked this one because it has an "arts and craft" look to it that goes with the light on the front of our house, our porch railings, and a wrought-iron hook we purchased this summer that's also in the front yard.

Although we both liked this feeder we couldn't figure out what kind of bird seed would work since there is no cylinder inside the feeder. Turns out there are suet balls, and we just didn't know about them. We have another suet holder that holds a block of suet and had never looked beyond those.  They look pretty cute in there. 

Turns out the birds like all the feeders. There are now four in front of the kitchen window. Come summer, we'll move some of them to the patio, but we'd never see the birds there in the winter.  

25 Days of Christmas Tags: Part 2

I'm back with tags for Days 7-11 for Tracey McNeeleys "25 Days of Christmas Tags." Going out of town definitely got me behind, but I managed to catch up over the weekend, before falling behind again this week due to a crazy schedule. Here's a look at all the tags together.

Each day Tracey posts a group of tags from which you can choose one as an inspiration piece. Some days are much easier than others, not because there aren't beautiful tags to choose from each day, but because you might not have any stamp or die that seems to fit the bill. That was true for Day 7. Nearly all the tags were created with beautiful and intricate dies of Christmas ornaments. I own not a single stand-alone ornament die. But I was inspired by the neutral color and beautiful gold of Desiree Kuemmerle's ornament. 

Ivory shimmer and gold mirror cardstock; "Winterland Tree" die by Memory Box, Papertrey Ink's "Stitched Tag;" banner sentiment from a past December Daily kit.

Here's a better look at the shimmer and gold:

Day 8: Inspired by Beverly Brown.

Cardstock: vellum, glitter paper; Patterned paper:My Minds Eye "Comfort and Joy" ; Dies:Papertrey Ink "Tag Sale #6- and W+9 "Hand Lettered Holiday"

Day 9: Inspired by Carol Maynes. I ended up making two tags on Day 9. When I stamped the trees the first time, I didn't place them high enough, so the cute polar bear covered too much of the trees. Didn't want the tag to go to waste so I colored it with Copics for a more modern look.

Both tags: Papertrey Ink "Tag Sale #10;" Neenah cardstock; Copic markers
Tag 1: Papertrey Ink "Warmest Wishes" and Hero Arts "Happy Holly Days"
Tag 2: Papertrey Ink: Warmest Wishes

Day 10- Inspired by Joyce Mehlberg. Once again I didn't have any stamps that were much like the cute images on the tags for Day 10. Joyce's tags featured houses so I turned to an old favorite from Papertrey Ink - "Winter Hills." I was also inspired by the window in one of Joyce's tags.

Dies: Papertrey Ink "Tag Sale #10;" Stamps: PTI "Winter Hills" and Simon Says "Merry and Bright."

Here's a closer look at the dimension.

Day 11: Inspired by Kelly Griglione

Premade tag; Stamps: Papertrey Ink "Spruce & Sprigs;" Dies: "Spruce & Sprigs" and Papertrey Ink "Bold Borders: Flurries;" washi tape, red glitter paper, Wink of Stella glitter pen

One of the best things about this challenge is using so many of the Christmas stamp sets and dies I've accumulated over the many years I've been stamping. Off to work on the next few days of tags!