DeNami Christmas Blog Hop

Welcome to the Christmas Blog Hop. This is my first blog hop EVER!  So thanks for letting me join in on the fun.  You should have just arrived from Tenia Nelson's blog. If you got lost along the way, check back at the DeNami blog.

I have been diligently working on Christmas cards for the last month or so and was lucky enough to win some DeNami stamps in a blog candy give away just in time for this blog hop. Thanks again Michelle for the stamps!

This card took quite some time to make... not for the lack of inspiration from the stamps but because I had a fight with my sewing machine. I thought the Mojo Monday (MOJO164) sketch would be perfect for this card and it had some stitching shown. I have really been wanting to use my sewing machine because so many others have added such wonderful detail to their work with stitching and it was my Grandmother's. Every time I use it I think of her. Boy, I sure wish she was here to help me figure out what the heck was wrong today! I could not for the life of me get the zigzag stitch to work. Three hours later, after taking it apart, I manged to get this stitch to work. Good Enough!!!  Anyhow, I just love how this card turned out and hope you like it too!

The Stamps are from DeNami, of course! The paper is from TPC Studio Winter Blues- A Little Snow and Snowday.  The snow paper is from Colorbok- photographic paper book. All ink used were Cat's Eyes (not sure on the colors as they stack together and don't have the color written on them).  I got the fuzzy white scalloped ribbon by the yard at Archivers.  The cute snowflake is from Jolee's by You- Glitter Snowflakes.  The rhinestones are from Me and My Big Ideas. 

I hope you have enjoyed my card and my first ever blog hop.  If you're new to my blog, please consider becoming a follower. To continue on the blog hop, go to Beverly Montez's blog. Thanks again for hopping by!!!

My Other Passion

While I enjoy making cards and paper crafts I have one other passion that I recently decided to turn into a small business.... and that is Pilates.  I was certified through the Physical Mind Institute to teach mat pilates in October.  I have been practicing since 2001 and finally decided that it was time and tonight I am very happy to say that I taught my first class.  It was so much fun!  I really enjoyed the challenge of describing how each movement is done.  I really hope the people in my class had fun and get the results they desire.  Just thought I'd share another part of my life with all of you!

Oh Christmas Tree

You probably think all I make is Christmas Cards... Just trying to get a head start because I know we will need a lot.  I promise, come January I will be making other cards besides Christmas ones. Actually I will be making baby shower cards, because next year is the year of the baby :) I have 4 friends all due between January and May.

So, this simple little card I made For this weeks Sweet Sunday Sketch Challenge (SSSC91). 

The stamp is from Northwoods.  I used craft paper and BoBunny's Back to Backs- 12" Noel Stripe paper. The ink was Versacolor- black embossed with Ranger- black embossing powder. I colored in the image using Tombo watercolor markers.

I used Art Glitter- Fossil on some lights and some of the ornaments. The others I gave a little dimension with Inksentials- Glossy Accents and Hero Arts- pearls & gems. I also used Distress Stickles- rock candy on the snow.

Enjoy!!

'Lil Christmas Trees

Happy Halloween!!! Just one card before I start getting ready for the party I'm going to tonight. This cute Christmas Card I made for the Skipping Stones Design Challenge (SSD48).  I just love this sketch. I do a lot of square piecing in my scrap booking and was really inspired by this challenge. I'm also using this card to enter into the Wee Memories Simon Says Stamp Challenge (WMC29). It's a "free for all" week over there, so anything goes. Be sure to check it out!

Anyhow, heres the card...

The card is made of craft paper, and pieces are from Little Yellow Bicycle Christmas Delight- All Wrapped Up, Winter Whimsy, Starry Night, and 'Tis The Season Strip. Stamps are from Stampendous- Tiny Christmas Tag Set. I used cats eyes ink and embossed it with clear embossing powder from Stampendous. I cut out the scalloped border using my Pazzles Inspiration machine. The rhinestones are from Me and My Big Ideas.  And the ribbon is from my box of goodies :)

Enjoy!!

Snow Man Card

I made this card to enter into the Card Pattern Weekly Sketch Blog CP86 and Wee Memories  WMC27 challenges.  I just discovered these two blogs and am excited to start participating in their challeges.  They have great prizes too!!  

The paper is from TPC Studio Winter Blues- A little snow and Snowday.  The snow paper is from Colorbok- photographic paper book.  Ink is Versacolor black and embossing powder is Ranger- Black.  The stamp is from Northwoods and sentiment is from Stampendous- Tiny Christmas Tag Set.  I colored the image with Tombo water color markers. The twine is from American Crafts.  The button I inherited from my Grandmother in her sewing kit.

Enjoy!!

Scappy Saturday Challenge

Be sure to check out the Wee Memories Scrappy Saturday Challenges yet... Look like lots of fun and great prizes.  Click on this link tomorrow to see what's happening!!!

Flourishes Sketch Challenge

I was looking at one of my favorite blogs and came across a sketch challenge. The sketch is Flourishes FLLCOCT10.  I don't have any of Flourishes stamps yet but am hoping to win some as I love all their sets. But this sketch worked perfectly for one of my new Northwoods stamps. 

I used paper from K & Company- classic K McKenna mat pad and The Paper Company- white & gold dots.  I cut out the border with my Pazzles Inspiration.  The angel stamp is from Northwoods, and the sentiment and holly leaves are from Stampendous- tiny Christmas tag set.  Ink used was Versacolor-black and Versamark.  I used Ranger- black and Stampendous- opaque gold embossing powders.  I water colored the image using Tombo Markers- 879, 533, 055, 703, 098, N45, 249 & 847.  The glitter is from Art Glitter- fossil.   The ribbon is from my stash.  Enjoy!!

My Best Friend's Wedding

So today is my best childhood friend's wedding.  Dana and I were inseparable from the time we were three years old... and now I am so excited to be able to spend the day with her.  I of course made her a wedding card.  I used the Mojo Monday Sketch (MOJO159) for the layout.  She chose beautiful fall colors for her wedding which I incorporated into the card.  The paper is from the Paper Company- white and gold dots, and purple and brown cardstock from my Bazzill's Preppie pad.  I used Versamark ink embossed with Stampendous opaque gold embossing powder.  Embelishments are from Hero Arts- pearls and gems.  The stamps are from Stampabilities- paisley background and Inkadinkado- wedding/marriage set.  

I used a mask of the bride and groom and stamped over it with the paisley background.

The swirl I cut out using my Pazzles Inspiration.  

So now I'm off to celebrate this beautiful 80 degree October day with one of the most special people in my life!  Enjoy!!!

Chickadee SSS

I was rested and ready to go after my much needed nap and some dinner... So I thought I would partake in this weeks Sweet Sunday Sketch (SSS 86).

I used another of my new Northwoods stamps for this pretty little card. The paper I used was craft and stamped with my pine bough and pine cone stamps from Northwoods. The embossed paper was from the package of scraps from Hobby Lobby. Ink used was versacolor Black, Archival ink-library green, and a couple of the little catseye inks I have on the pine bough and pine cone. The chickadee stamp was embossed using Ranger fine black embossing powder. I water colored the chickadee stamp with Tombo markers (909, 879, N45, 249, 533 & 055). Glitter was from Art Glitter- fossil and Stickles- rock candy. And the bow, is from my box of random ribbons of unknown origin :)

Have a great night!

Mojo Reindeer

Hello again... Wow, has it been a busy weekend!!! Husband's cousin's wedding on Friday night and my childhood best friend's bachelorette party last night, whew am I tired. But before all the craziness hit I received all the Northwoods stamps I ordered on Friday and was anxious to start making some Christmas cards. So, here is my first one. YAY!!

I used the MOJO Monday (MOJO 156) sketch for the layout. The paper I used was from the Paper Company-pine, and Daisy D's Paper-mistletoe stripe winter blue, the red paper is from a package of scraps I bought at Hobby Lobby, and craft paper. The Reindeer, pine bough, and pine cone stamps were all from Northwoods and the sentiment inside the card was from Serendipity Stamps. Ink was versacolor black, catseye and versamark. The glitter is from Art Glitter- Fawn. The bow was from my bucket of random ribbons. I did the water coloring with Tombo markers colors 879, 055,& 847. Here's a close up of the reindeer.

Ok, I'm off to take a much needed nap. Enjoy!

New Northwoods Stamps

Hey there... I took a Northwoods stamp class at my favorite stamp shop, the Cottage Stamper. Anyhow, I'm trying out the stamps and water colors and having a really good time with glitter. So here they are, hope you enjoy!

All the stamps are from Northwoods and I used VersaColor black ink and Super fine black embossing powder from Ranger. The watercolors are from Tombo #s: 055, 098, 879, 249,847, 606, 533, N45, & 703. The Glitter is Fossil Art Glitter and also glitter I got from winning Kelli's table scraps Blog Candy.

I did this card using the Mojo Monday Sketch (MOJO155). The paper is Bazzil Grape Jelley and several pieces from my Heidi Grace card stock pad.

Mojo Wedding Card

Well, I've been on a month long hiatus from posting... We have been unable to sell our townhouse for 3 years, so last year we decided to rent it out. Bad idea. After 1 year our tenants managed to destroy our little pottery barn townhouse and it's taken a month to get it back to the point where we can sell it. So, needless to say I've been a little busy and all my creative juices have been sucked dry. But, we've been going to so many weddings this summer that I've used up all of my cards that I've been stockpiling. So I made this one before the wedding we went to yesterday. The couple's wedding colors were black, white and red and I used the Mojo Monday (MOJO152) sketch for the layout.

Paper is from The Paper Company (geranium), the Paper Studio, and Nocturne. Stamps are from the Inkadinkado (wedding/marriage set). Ink is versa mark with black embossing powder. The ribbon is from my box of goodies.

Here's a close up of the image. Still learning how to emboss so not quite full coverage on the tuxedo.

Thanks for visiting!

New Tools

So I got my Pazzles embossing tool and my pen tool in the mail today... Very exciting! I also had to get a heat gun and embossing powder after I was introduced to the wonderful world of embossing at the class I took at the Cottage Stamper last week. I had a 40% off coupon and a 15% off your entire purchase at Micheal's, so I bought an embosser, embossing powder and a stamp or two. I made this card using all my new fun tools. The lay out is from this week's Sweet Sunday Sketch SSSC75. All of the paper is from a card-stock pack I've had for a very long time. The stamp is from Micheal's (it was $1). Ink was versamark frost and embossing powder was clear and black. I embossed the background with my PI and paper pieced the pie w/ my PI. I also wrote the sentiment with my PI as well. Although, I think I need some better pens for that. Oh and the little steam coming off the pie is actually from the Taylored Expression's Boys will be Boys set (I colored the steam from the coffee mug w/ a stamp marker). Anyhow, I'll shut up so you can all check out the card.

I made a minor mistake by centering the first set of cherries and didn't leave enough room for the ones on the left, oopsie.

Cutie

I've continued to experiment with my new Pazzles Inspiration (PI) causing me to continue to miss challenge deadlines... This layout is from last weeks Sweet Sunday Sketch SSSC74. I cut everything out using the PI. Paper used was plain ivory card stock and paper from the K & Company Bailey Mat Pad. Stamps are both from American Crafts Brand, blues skies set. Ink is from color box. Adhesive gems are from K & Company.


Different layout, same supplies... This is for the Mojo Monday Sketch challenge MOJO144.



Enjoy, comments appreciated.

Pazzles... Oooh-la-la

So, I was late submitting my Mojo Monday card because my WONDERFUL husband surprised me with a Pazzles Inspiration Cutter (How awesome is he?!?!) and I spent hours playing with it... So once I finally finished my card it was too late, oh well. I'm too excited to be bummed about missing the deadline. So here it is. It is a bachelorette party card for the numerous bachelorette parties I have coming up. The layout is from the Mojo Monday Sketch MOJO143. Notice the background behind the card? It's my new favorite toy!


I actually made the cut file for the corset. Here's a close up of it.


I will have to post the details later as all my stuff is in the other room and it's getting late. I'm pretty terrible about posting the details, sorry :)

Mojo Monday Birdie Birthday Card

My friend Michelle's birthday is next month... This cute little card is for her. I used the Mojo Monday sketch for the layout (MOJO142). I used cream colored card stock for the card and seafoam green for the background. I used Cosmo Paisley and Cosmo Dots from The Paper Studio. Stamps used were Birdie Banner by My Sentiments exactly and Celebrate by Stampology. I used Chestnut, Cranberry, and Leaf colored Stamp Markers from American Crafts to ink the stamp. The ribbon is from my box of fun (i.e. can't remember where it came from). I used clear rock candy Stickles on a couple of the birds, but managed to stick my finger in it before it dried, oops :)



Here is a close up of the image.


Enjoy... Comments appreciated :)

Sweet Sunday Sketch

I discovered a new stamping store today... And I'm really excited. They have tons of awesome stamps, supplies, etc. They also hav lots of card making classes, and after looking at the beautiful cards they had of display, I WILL be taking one of their classes. The store is called Cottage Stampers. It's in St. Charles, IL. Anyhow, God forbid I go to a store and not buy a new stamp. This is the card I made with it using the SSSC72:


More details to come....

Father's Day

I made this card for my father-in-law... I used the layout from the The Sweet Stop SSS57 and I just realized it was the previous weeks sketch, oops. I still had fun making it. He's big into reading the paper so the stamps from the Taylored Expression boys will be boys set were perfect. The inside of the card says, "you're the best Dad ever!" Super cute!!


I used plan black card stock for the card, and paper from the paper studio, Heidi Grace & nocturne. Ink is basic black from Stamp'n Up! I colored in the stamp using EK Success colored pencils. Ribbon and brads, not sure where they're from, my bits and pieces box I guess... Enjoy!

Rainy Memorial Day

I woke this morning to my dogs barking at the thunder... and it has continued to be crappy all day. Not such a bad thing when I've got so much to do, my sister-in-law's grad school graduation picture frame, father's day cards, and my honeymoon scrapbook. Finished the pictures and background for the frame (all I need is the frame) and one of the father's day cards. I used the Sweet Sunday Sketch layout SSSC71. My Dad is very handy so the Taylored Expressions Boys will be Boys stamp set was perfect. Here's the finished product:


I used plain ivory card stock as the background. I cut out an oval using craft paper and used a pair of provo craft pinking shears around the edge. The paper was part of a set that came with my honeymoon scrapbook (paper boutique). The stamps and sentiments are from the Taylored Expression's boys will be boys set. I stamped "kick back and relax" on the interior of the card. The ink is basic black by stampn up. I colored in the stamp using American Crafts stamp markers. My silver gel pen stopped working so I had to break out some old school paint pens to color in the remote and tools, easier said than done. I think it turned out pretty good.

Now I'm off to work on my never ending honeymoon scrapbook... I'll be sure to post a pic of the graduation gift when I get a frame.

Wedding Card

I made this card for my cousin's wedding next week. I used the Sweet Sunday SSSC70 sketch challenge for the layout. The colors of her wedding are terracotta and green.

Details:
Paper:K&Company McKenna Mat Pad
Ink:Cats Eye
Emblies: Prima Marketing, Inc. Siip Swirls and fimo lt brown & Calcutta Minis Seashell, Hero Arts Pearls & Gems




Details

Bachelorette

My cousin is getting married in two weeks. Her bachelorette party was last Saturday. Her MOH told us to each bring a pair of undies to give her... and she was to guess who they were from. So undies were my inspiration for this card.


Details: TBD

Grads

We have 5 graduation parties to go to this year. I don't have a lot of money to buy stamps, etc. so I bought one grad cap stamp and several pieces of black and white paper and made 5 different cards. Here they are:


This was my first try and it is very simple. I actually had to make the 2010 out of some old 2007 paper that I never got around to using for new years '07. I know, pretty sad. Anyhow, I made a 1 out of a larger 0 from the paper.



A little more complex...

I have since added a red rhinestone on the cap for some color.




This one is my favorite.

Details: TBD

Intro to card making

This summer my husband, Dave, and I have 10 weddings and 5 graduation parties to go to. Recently I looked at the back of a hallmark greeting card and saw that it was $5.00. Ridiculous! A good friend of mine, Colleen, makes cards for tons of occasions and I have bought some from her in the past. I was a little strapped on time, so I decided to make my own mother's day cards for my mom and Dave's mom... and the obsession began. I used some of my scrap booking supplies and made both. Unfortunately I didn't take pictures of them because I didn't think I would be so into making them. Shortly after I made a bridal shower card for my cousin. They were super cute and my family loved them.