Happy Christmas

I usually mass produce Christmas cards, and it becomes a chore. So this year I think I'll just create some cards and see how many I can make before panic sets in and I have to resort to Plan B - the assembly line.

This card came together just as envisioned, beginning with the Musical Score stamp by Stampendous. LOVE this stamp. I have other music background stamps, but the small scale of this one makes my heart go pitter pat. The holly branch is from Impression Obsession, and I colored it with Copics. The sentiment from My Sentiments Exactly is stamped in VersaMagic Spanish Olive on white card stock, clear embossed and popped up on a Stampin' UP! ornament punched from Cherry Cobbler (my new favorite red). A little red Copic Spica sparkle on the holly berries to complete the look. Part of me toys with adding more red bling in the bottom left corner to complete the visual design triangle, but it just didn't feel "right" to me - maybe later . . .

Thank you for your visit today.

Hugs,

Colleen

Additions to CAS Card Set and a Tip

 

Here are some additional cards for my gift set (see previous post), and again clean and simple is the design. Copic coloring of Stampin' UP! sets "Fruit Stand" and "Sun Ripened" (both retired) and sentiments from Papertrey Ink.

And now for my Tip of the Day. For those little smudges of ink that find their way on a finished card, try erasing as much of the smudge as possible (I use Sanford Magic Rub), then giving it a light scuffing with a sanding block - sanding first in one direction, then the other. Or, if it's more than a smudge, try using the very tip of your craft knife to lightly scrape the offending blob and then smooth the surface with afore mentioned sanding block. This has worked for me numerous times and worth a try. Here's another idea. Where you suddenly have a mysterious black dot on your base card, add to the dot and make it a design feature (see example in pear card). I created a triangle of dot groups to disguise one little black dot that was annoying me. I used a Copic Black Multiliner. What do you think? I like the look.

Thank you so much for stopping by today.

Hugs,

Colleen

Card Set CAS

As promised in yesterday's post, here is a set of cards I made recently. I cannot remember the name of the Stampin' UP! set I used, but I know it is long retired. If anyone really needs the name, I'm happy to look it up in some past catalogs, so just email me.

I'm still working on adding to this set  . . .  I like to give at least six cards . . . and I'll post those when I finish.

Thank you for stopping by. And a big THANK YOU to those who have become "Followers" of my blog. It really helps me be a better blogger. 

Hugs,

Colleen

Alayna is 7!

A very special young lady turned 7(!) on Monday, and this is the card I made for her. Depending on what day you ask this girly-girl, pink is (sometimes) her favorite color. The first time I saw layered scallops on a card, I knew I wanted to replicate that idea for Alayna's birthday card. It's so her.

I used pop dots between the scallop layers, and the sentiment is a rub-on. I cut the number freehand from a lightweight coaster.

Thank you for stopping by. I'm still fighting a sinus infection that just won't give up, but I have been creating some card sets that I'll share tomorrow.

Hugs,

Colleen

Welcome Madelyn Rose

My niece, Ashley, and her husband are expecting their first child in November. There was a baby shower Sunday, and I made this card to go with the gift. Inspired by my girlfriend, Carol, I added a "pinafore" type layer from dotted vellum and secured it with ribbon. The dress began from the Sizzix Baby Onsie, but I only used it as a pattern for the top of the dress and then used a Spellbinders Mega Scalloped Oval nestie to create the hemline. No pattern for the pinafore . . . just a series of trials and errors, but I'm pleased with the result and, more importantly, so was Ashley. The little rose bud on the bow was added for her middle name, and just polished off the card . . . imho.

Thank you for stopping by today.

Hugs,

Colleen

Look Who's Turning 4 - Peyton!

Sometimes a card comes together just as envisioned. Other times, like with this card, it evolves. And what started out in my head as a very girly card, ended up gender neutral leaning toward boyish. Hey, there is a pink balloon in the bunch . . . Anyway, after investing so much time in the process, I opted to send it on its way - not completely satisfied with the final product, but realizing it will serve its purpose. Hey, I can't be Julie Ebersole or Susan Raihala everyday, right?

The balloon is an old  (1995!) stamp from CC Rubber Stamps with a matching punch from Punch Bunch. Sentiment is from Impress Rubber Stamps, and for information on the fabulous background stamp see this post.

Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs,

Colleen

Masculine Card

Feeling a little under the weather today, literally.  Louisville has gone from daily high temperatures in the upper 90's to frost advisories tonight, and it's creating havoc with my sinuses. So a simple card it is... This beautiful stamp is from Inkadinkado, and I just stamped it and highlighted a few areas with Copics. Sometimes that's all that's needed. Then again, tomorrow I may look at this card and feel differently. . .

I appreciate the visit today.

Hugs,

Colleen