December 30, 2015

You are My Neigbor

Cute images from Dollar Doodles are key components of my western-themed cards.  I added simple sentiments to these cheerful images.
A second card . . .
Challenges:

December 29, 2015

Can You Case It #100: Clean and Simple Card

CYCI#100





Entry for Can You Case It #100 Sketch Challenge - Clean and Simple, yet eye-catching.


Another take on the sketch - turned sideways.
And one more
The flip flops were a freebie from Miss Kate Cuttables.

December 28, 2015

Papercrafting the Southwest: Flip Flops

Quick and easy and fun!




The flip flops are from Miss Kate Cuttables.  Okay, they weren't quick - but once they were assembled, the cards took little time.

December 27, 2015

Western Hoot - or Boot?

I used one of my favorite collections to create these fun cards.  Paper Studio's "Hoot Hoot" collection is filled with fun, bright colors.  I added some fun cowboy boots for a western theme.



December 26, 2015

Christmas Layout

Papercrafting Challenge: Magazine Mondays - Week 127! - Papercrafting Challenge: Magazine Mondays – Week 127 Inspiration Piece (image source: Anthology Magazine):
It's the day after Christmas, and - of course, I have a layout to share.  My inspiration came from Papercrafters Corner's challenge #127.  I was inspired by the dreamy ornaments in the picture - adding some simple, but glittering ornaments on my layout.  Many people wonder about my choice of colors - but my grandson's entire photo album is red, black, and neutral colors.  My selection of the black diamond-patterned background is inspired by the black starred background in the challenge inspiration.

December 25, 2015

Bright and Full Moon

Last night was all about the full moon.  Inspired by the full moon, I've created a card pack all about the full moon and coyotes.  These were very easy to create using an .svg called Howling Moon (Frontier.net).  They're simple cards - but I hope they will make the recipients smile.  It's about desert life - simple as that.




December 23, 2015

Simple Globeframe

When giving a handcrafted gift, personalization is a must for me.  I fell in love with globecraft frames years ago - and although they are harder to find now, I can never turn away from using one as a special gift.

In this project, I used seasonal papers and gems to create a custom frame for my friend.  Each Christmas since my friend's grandson was born, I've made her a globeframe with his picture.  This year, I've strayed away from the Christmas theme to Halloween - here Sylas is opening Grandma's Halloween treat package.


I've made this frame a bit interactive by gluing gems back to back and enclosing them in the frame to make a shaker frame.

To see previous globeframes made for Vickie, visit these posts:
Here are links to the frames made the past three years (don't know what happened to my first frame).

Nacho Average Challenge #173



Hello!  Welcome to my post for the Nacho Average Challanges #173.  I was stunned to see a challenge that fits into my the type of cards I'm already making - with all the pieces literally just setting on my craft table!   Here's Nacho's sketch . . .



and here's my take on the sketch.

Here is a second card with the sketch turned upside down.

December 22, 2015

Sami Holiday + Stars

Hello!  Today I am joining Sami Stamps in their Challenge #32.  I have a CAS card - as I am STILL working on Christmas cards.  I'm using Sami Stamps digital Valentine Rose Feathers.  I embellished with glitter stars for Challenge #404 at Cute Card Thursday - their theme is "stars."


December 21, 2015

Last-Minute Christmas Cards meet Kaisercraft

Yes - four days before Christmas and I'm still making Christmas cards!  So these last few cards have to be quick and simple - and that they are!  I'm blending Kaisercraft's Pollen paper, simply-cut letters on my eClips, and a free vintage clip art Santa (The Graphics Fairy) - all worthy of sending to cousins and neighbors.

December 20, 2015

Simple Card

Still working on Christmas cards - don't have a lot of extra time and am trying to use up my paper stash.  No problem!  Here a simple fabulous design that does the job!



December 18, 2015

Sunshine

Hi, Friends!

Hope you have had a good week! Today I am sharing a card featuring Tim Holtz's Snowflake Rosette Die, along with a favorite technique of mine!  The first time I needed a denim pocket, I couldn't find any denim paper!  I found a perfect substitute....took an old pair of jeans, cut a swatch, inked it up with blue ink, and used the fabric as a stamp. I scanned that (so I would always have a denim swatch handy).  Using Photoshop, I added a yellow pocket shape on top of the denim. 


I created the really cute sentiment using Word - and adhered it to the front of the card.  I finished this card off with a Prima flower and a "sun" rosette (rather than a snowflake)!  This card was made for a local SALSA swap with a "pocket" theme.

The swap also includes tags - this month's tag theme is "New Beginnings."  Here is my tag.

December 16, 2015

Loving Scraps this Christmas!

Thanks so much for joining me this season so see my many Christmas cards (should be close to 160 this year if I finish my list).  Aren't Christmas cards fun?  I am now enjoying them that I'm on the downswing - about ten more to go.  I have a simple beauty for you today.  


The gold-glittered mulberry paper is paper I bought when I first began scrapping 11 years ago.  I knew eventually I would find the perfect use for it.  The poinsettia is one of many I have leftover from a scrapbooking class I taught at an assisted-living home years ago.  Today - a four-minute project...what a treat!

December 12, 2015

Poinsettia Die Cut

I've been working on making trendy, dimensional cards without buying all new materials.  For this card, I'm using a poinsettia from my stash I have leftover from classes years ago.   I've taken this a step further by using scraps for the background.  It's fun when I can incorporate items from my stash to make lovely cards. 

December 11, 2015

Work of Heart

Wish you could see this page with my grandson's pictures - you know how the pics can make a page stand out from all the others.  Everything about this chicken noodle soup clip art I added just added pizzaz to the final layout.

December 10, 2015

Christmas out West

I thought this cowboy hat was gorgeous.  I recolored it in Christmas red - and added a bit of holly on the brim.  I love how the colors pop right off the page.  A simple Christmas card  to enter the Eureka Stamps Challenge #170.

Quick-and-Easy Scrapbook Layout

I am excited to have settled for another quick-and-easy layout.  Using just a basic background - no matting on pictures - and a couple leftover poinsettias from other projects - this is the quickest layout ever.  I actually expected to be disappointed - but I ended up liking the final result (after finding the poinsettias to add).  I'm on a roll for creating more time to relax, indulge myself, and unwind before the hectic last-minute tasks of the holiday creep up on me.


December 9, 2015

Fun in White

Inspired by this fun image I found by Herrera Designs, I decided to make some of my Christmas cardmaking easy - printed the image on white cardstock and folded in half.  The result:  several hours away from my craft table to pamper myself.  I just think the simplicity is plain fun! Kind of wish I thought of this idea 129 cards ago!

December 8, 2015

Making Last-Minute Christmas Cards

Running late getting Christmas cards made this year.  Last night's makes were these simple CAS cards.


December 7, 2015

Canyon Route

Hey, Everyone!  In the holiday spirit?  Well, I'm taking a break from Christmas cards to join Kraft+ in their latest challenge - Kraft + Travel + Maps.


On this layout, I used patterned kraft paper - which really helps give it an earthy look.  To add to my layout, I used train-themed stickers and clip art.  I used a map of the Grand Canyon tour we took.

December 6, 2015

Creative Invitation for Santa

Get ready for your visit from Santa today!  I love this gorgeous, whimsical image of Santa from the Graphics Fairy - my inspiration came from Coronet Publications with there many samples of Santa's Magic Key.  Use your imagination to help Santa be able to come into your home!

December 4, 2015

The Great Christmas Card Marathon

Okay - how many of you are still working on your holiday cards?  I am!  I am!  I love this time of year - even though I'm working feverishly to remember all my friends and relatives with handcrafted cards.  You, too?  So here is one my makes from yesterday.

December 3, 2015

Rustic Winter Challenge

Hello, Everybody!  Welcome to my blog - and my entry for Verve Stamps Inspiration Challenge - Rustic Winter.

I love this inspiration - and the concept of rustic winter.  The colors in the inspiration picture are special - and the idea of deer feeding in the woods is a wonderful way to celebrate winter - not to mention Christmas!


What stood out to me in the inspiration picture were the colors - white, brown, and aqua - and the deer and snowflakes.  While my deer are not so "rustic," I love the mixture of craft paper and mixture of colors - including the gold and silver.

Join in the fun at Verve Stamps.

House of Cards Challenge

Well, Christmas is near.  EEK!!  I "only" have about 60 cards yet to make.  Yes, yes - I am freaking out!  This past year of full retirement has flown by!

But I do love this time of year!!  Most of my shopping is completed (thank you, Amazon!)  And by evening I continue work on my cards.  One of today's card is inspired by House of Cards challenge.  Here is the photo inspiration.

. . . and my take on it.

Anything Goes Challenge with Craft-Dee Bowz

Join in the fun every month at Craft-Dee BowZ for a challenge (CDB32) that includes a handmade bow.  I wanted to do something quick and simple.


The paper - Puppy Dogs' Tails by Graphic 45 and Berry Watercolor by Simple Stories - are scraps from my grandson's scrapbook.  The image is left over from a paper pack by DCWV.  What do you think?  My card was inspired by an ad in an old Papercrafts (2006) magazine.  


My second card, also inspired by the Papercrafts ad, was made with scraps from DCWV.



I enjoy challenges - even simple ones such as "using a bow."  Remember, the Craft-Dee BowZ challenge runs through December 31 - so make sure you visit Craft-Dee BowZ every day for fabulous inspiration!  

Get a Jumpstart on Winter

Happy December, Scrappers!  I have a new goodie for you today!  A fellow scrapper from a local group was cleaning house and gave me three shaped mini albums - I made a little birthday gift for my daughter-in-law that was Oh, so fun!