Tutu-rific!

I had a wonderful weekend with my family skiing, but I will admit, I was very happy to get back to my stamp table! 

Card Positioning Systems is sponsored by My Favorite Things today and tomorrow so naturally, I was thrilled to be able to play along. (In linking this up,  realized that they featured Gina K Designs the other day, so you can bet I'll be giving this sketch a try again....)

Last week, this adorable set Paperdoll Sayings of sentiments for Isabelle Paperdoll was released, and I hadn't yet had a chance to play.  So, as soon as I saw this sketch, I knew this sweetie with the sentiment "tutu-rific" would be a perfect match.

Isabelle is stamped in Memento Ink, then colored with Copics, and given all over glimmer to her tutu with Shimmerz.  

I'm on a new "paper diet". I've got loads and loads of paper in my stash, on my desk etc etc.  I'm not buying any new paper for a while and having fun rifling through to see what I can come up with.  In this little card I've got two papers from Pink Paislee in here, and one scrap of Scenic Route.  Usually I stick to papers all from the same collection - but I've done a few cards lately mixing among brands and collections and its been fun, so I'm going to try to mix it up and see what I come up with. 

I've got a little paper diet disclaimer to announce.  I do have a little Stampin Up paper on order which will be here soon, and two pieces that I've already had held aside for me at my LSS.  But, aside from that I'm going to give this diet a try and see how good I can be with the existing paper in my collection. Which seriously, is a LOT.

I hope you'll come play along in the CPS fun this week!  

Snowmen with Shimmerz on a Snowy Snowy Day!

I've always loved Alli Miles work, and I've long been a favorite of the clean and simple cards that she makes from time to time using Nesties strictly for embossing.  You can see a recent example of what I mean on this post.  

So here I am, shamelessly emulating one of my Design Idols, and former Design Team buddies!  ((hugs Alli!))

This sweet little snowman is "Made of Snow" from Paper Trey Ink.  I adore that you can totally customize your snowman.  There are choices of scarves, choices of hats, and then various heads, bodies, faces etc so that you can completely design it however you'd like.  And, of course, since they are clear acrylic you get perfect placement every time.

I colored in the snowman's accessories with my B00 and B52 Copic markers, and added a shadow with my W1 marker.  Using my craft knife, I created an opening just large enough to thread through some of my striped Baja Breeze grosgrain ribbon from Stampin Up and then secured a bow.  I finished off the inside of the card with some scraps of Ski Slope designer paper.  I loved the sweet sentiment, but since I'd gone with a 4 1/4 square card, it was just too long for my design. So instead, I stamped it onto the envelopes - equally cute.  

I thought about using my B000 copic marker to color in a background for this sweet man of snow, but then had a true a-ha moment. Shimmerz!! I grabbed an aquapainter and I added a glistening coat of shine all over my Frosty's.  I just love that stuff, its mess free, quick drying and was just the right touch!  I'm frequently lugging my supplies upstairs to work where my hubster is watching TV, so being able to work without making a big old mess is ideal for me.  He's always laughing at me coating myself in glitter! 

Liquid applique was used to give some "puff" to the pom pom, hat brim and all the polka dots on the scarf.  I love that stuff, so fun!

We had a big road trip to celebrate Christmas with my in laws today, but a big snow in the northeast has precluded the trip.  Its so beautiful outside right now... and I love being all nestled up with a hot chocolate, and of course some stamps too!

Have a wonderful day!

Oh Joy for Pointsettas

I actually have been stamping my brains out lately, even if this little blog of mine doesn't show it.  

I've been working on a tutorial for My Favorite Things, getting my Christmas cards done, stamping a zillion birth announcements for my sister, working on a Secret Santa present, and filling up the Dirty Dozen gallery.   

But you didn't come here to read about all my secret assignments did you? You came to see some cards!

Yes, I've been on a rustic tear lately, and this beautiful paper collection from Cosmo Cricket called "Oh Joy" is just up my alley.  

This rich cranberry and cream patterned paper has been sitting on my messy desktop and I was excited to finally get to chop it all up!  I stamped the pointsetta image from Asela's set "Christmas Blessings" from Gina K Designs. 

I've actually got to get to the florist to pick up several pointsettas.  My mother has always decorated with them for Christmas, and I just love having lots and lots of them all around.  My little guy is, lets just say, a bit destructive, so I've been holding out on my cherished breakable decorations....  while he can certainly make a mess with potted plants, it isn't like he'd be shattering expensive collectables.  Say a prayer that instead my rug isn't covered in potting soil. 

I trimmed a few layers apart, and then colored it with my Copic Markers and assembled it back together with dimensionals.  Then I added my new Angel Wings Shimmerz to glisten it all up. I've got to say, I love this stuff, it goes on so easily, dries SUPER fast, and adds a nice glisten to my image.  

Finished it up with a little red button and some linen thread, sewed all the mats to my designer paper, and finished it off with my last scrap of ribbon from the Making Memories Rouge Collection.  And if you're wondering how I got that fun pierced circle, it is this fantastic piercing template from Gina K Designs.  

Hope you have a great day, another crazy one in the making for me......