Saturday, December 29, 2012

Saying Thank You

If you're like me,
you've been busy making thank you cards for all your family and friends who presented you with a gift this Christmas. I have found it easiest to use pre-folded card bases with envelopes and one 6x6 paper pad with one group of matching embellishments.


Since these cards
have to fit in flat envelopes, I had to make them CAS, which is a real challenge for me... the woman who loves layers upon layers! With the blank cards being white, I chose kraft cardstock for all the mats since it seemed to go so well with most of the patterns that were in the My Mind's Eye Portobello Road paper pad. 


This is an old Lost & Found
collection and has some beautiful blue/green shades that I thought had a sort of wintery look.


Along with rhinestones,
pearls and ribbon, I cut snowflakes using my Alterations mini dies. I also used: Spellbinders Fleur De Lis Squares, Vintage Photo Distress Ink, Jet Black Archival Ink, Scrappy Cats Thank You Clear Stamp Set and May Arts Satin Snowflake trim. I have several more to show you all using this same combination of product. 
I hope you're all having 
a wonderful, relaxing weekend. We have tons of snow here (not really... just a few inches but I like to think big!) It's that heavy kind that likes to cling to the tree branches and make everything look so gorgeous... a true winter wonderland! Time to grab a cup of steaming coffee, pull up a chair and look out the window... a perfect Saturday!

Thanks for stopping by!
Linda

Friday, December 28, 2012

Grungy And Sweet

Todays journal page
is a result of inspiration I received from Zorana (remember the printables) and Anna Dabrowska (Live with Prima video). 


Well, my little page
in no way comes close to what these mega talented girls produce... but they surely inspire me to stretch myself and try something I normally wouldn't do.


Lots of stamping,
rub-ons, spray, molding paste, gesso, cheesecloth, paper scraps, masking tape, ribbon, lace, tags, pearls, a Prima clock, Chit Chat stickers, mini paper clips and flowers.


Thank you ladies,
for giving me a push to be adventurous!

I'm linking my page at:
Balzer Designs - Art Journal Every Day

I hope you all had
a joyous Christmas and are looking forward to new creativity in 2013!

Thanks for stopping by today!
Linda

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Merry Christmas

To all our dear friends & family!


We love you!
 Linda B & The Penmaker

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Quick Gift Wrapping Ideas

The Penmaker and I
are heading out for a days jaunt to Ikea in Pittsburgh, then our annual drive through Oglebay in Wheeling for the Winter Festival of Lights.


This year there are
seventy-eight light displays including the new amusement part themed Strong Man display added next to a Ferris Wheel and Carousel. There is also a new Leaping Frog display and an animated Volcano. Can't wait to see these!


This is the extravagant
Cinderella display that took two years to complete... one of my favorites.


The gorgeous Poinsettia 
Wreath and Candles display... this is breathtaking!


This is just a sampling
of the beautiful displays that decorate the 300 acres over the six mile drive we take through the resort. We've been making this trip for years, starting when our children were young. Such a fun and inspiring event! If you're in the area, the displays are up and lighted until January 6th, 2013.
I had a few small gifts
to wrap for some of our grandchildren that I had purchased after the bulk of the presents, and had already put away most of the papers, ribbons, etc. So I pulled out tissue, dies, jute and scrap papers from my card making stash, and did some quick creating.




 These are just some
ideas for you if you have a last minute package to wrap. Have fun and enjoy the season!

Thanks for stopping by today!
Linda

Friday, December 21, 2012

Happy Christmas

Zorana has the cutest
free printable for December here. When I downloaded it this morning, I immediately started work on a journal page using her darling bird trio. 


The background is a
blend of titanium white, cerulean blue and grey for the sky with parchment, titanium white and raw umber artist acrylics for the yard. The stars were made with Golden's molding paste and Crafter's Workshop Mini Punchinella stencil.


The houses were stamped
on paper from 7 Gypsies Lille 8x8 pad, fussy cut and glued to the page. The trim was "painted" in using Barn Door Distress Ink... the windows with Mustard Seed DI. The fence was done the same way using Vintage Photo DI. The Christmas greenery and bow are from my vintage stash.


The tree stamp and
the sentiment are from old sets from Sweet 'n Sassy. I used Jet Black Archival for them.


To complete the page,
 I edged it with Black Soot DI. May you have a Happy Christmas!

I'm linking my page at:
Balzer Designs - Art Journal Every Day

Thanks for stopping by today!
Linda

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Candy Canes And A Gingerbread Man

Unless an unforeseen
emergency arises, this will be my last Christmas gift card holder. Yes!... I love checking off items on my "to do list".


These sweet papers from
Graphic 45's Nutcracker Sweet collection are "Land of Sweets", "Holiday Magic" and "Endearing Sentiments".


I did lots of fussy
cutting with this one. I just adore these candy canes with the ribbon swirls.


I'm linking up at:
Jingle Belles - Anything Goes/Holiday
Make It Monday - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by today!
Linda

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Recycled Starbucks Sleeve

You know those sleeves
you get on your Starbucks cups? They are great to make into mini albums and (of course) gift card holders...


I always save a few of
these to alter, and still had this one from last Christmas.


I gave it a spray of
LSG Scintillating Silver Glitz Spritz, then glued on a couple of rhinestone snowflakes. Added a few embellishments, an I Am Roses flower with some Alterations Mini Holly leaves and popped in a Starbucks card.


All set to give away!
I can just see the sweet recipients sipping their hot beverages... ahhhh... bliss!

I'm linking up at:
Make It Monday - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by today!
Linda

Monday, December 17, 2012

Gift Cards

I love when someone
gives me a gift card, and better yet... I LOVE to give them!


I need to have several 
holders made for Christmas, so I started this morning with this one. Why does something so simple take me so long? Over embellishing perhaps? 


I cut out this pocket
using Alterations Pocket Envelope die and Basic Grey Oxford "Lacrosse" paper. The image is cut from Echo Park's This & That Christmas "Holly Berries" backside. The stack of die cuts are... in order from the bottom... Spellbinders Large Classic Circles, Alterations Mini Tickets, Alterations Tattered Pinecone (made this into a rose) and Alterations Mini Holly. The two Cherry blossoms are I Am Roses, that I sprayed with LSG Scintillating Silver Glitz Spritz. The French Lace paper doily is from an Etsy shop, the satin snowflake is trim from May Arts and the rhinestone is by Teresa Collins.


The tag slips into the
pocket and holds the gift card with a glue dot.
I hope you are getting
all the last of your shopping, baking, etc, etc, etc finished. Wow... I still have a lot to do!!! 
Enjoy the fun and blessings of making something nice for those you love!

I'm linking up at:
Make It Monday - Anything Goes
Sunday Funday - Anything Goes

Thanks for stopping by!
Hugs!
Linda

Friday, December 14, 2012

A Little Stitchery

On Tuesday the
Penmaker and I took a trip to Berlin in the heart of Amish country. It's about a 25 minute drive on back roads mostly through farm lands. We love it! of course, I just had to run into one of my favorite shops... Country Craft Cupboard. I purchased some wool to make something special for Valentines Day, and they gave me a FREE pattern. I'll post it when I get it completed. For now, I want to show you some of the snowmen ornaments I've made for our tree.


I did a bunch of these
cute little guys with green, dark red and red with black flecks backgrounds. CCC does a lot of their own hand-dying and I absolutely adore their wools. It's usually hard for the Penmaker to pull me out of the back room where all the bolts of wool and floss are. To make matters worse, they sell smaller pieces and little squares of these gorgeous goodies which make it even more tempting to spend all the money in your purse. You can even fill a plastic bag full of wool scraps and pay by the pound... which I've done many times! Perfect snippets to have on hand.


Oh... and the lower
level is filled with rubber stamps, primitive type frames and needlework books. Ah... a crafters dream!
Now, back to work!

I'm linking my snowmen to:

Thanks for the visit!
Hugs!
Linda

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Jingle Bells

Today is the most
gorgeous day. Looking out the window you would think it was spring. So why am I inside? Ahhhh... the lady is still making Christmas cards... that's why!


By now you may have
grown tired of seeing cards I've created with My Mind's Eye "All Is Bright". The fact is, I'm still in love with these papers and am enjoying mixing them with my Christmas scraps from last year. It's been sort of a personal challenge to see how many different looks I can get with these few paper patterns and a chipboard sheet.


I used the "Joy" 
chipboard piece as the focal point, and paired it with this scrap of Graphic 45's "Christmas Emporium". The two buttons are MME "Follow Your Heart" and tied with ivory burlap string from May Arts. The roses are Recollections and I Am Roses. The die cut is Spellbinder's Floral Doily Motif.


The big tulle bloom
is by Prima. I dabbed on a little Tombow Mono Glue  and sprinkled on Twinklets Diamond Dust... both are from Consumer Crafts, where you can get 20% off their entire site thru today - 12/13/12.

I'm linking my card at:
Cupcake Craftroom - Christmas
Make It Monday - Anything Goes
Shopping Our Stash - Sentimentally Yours
Unique Crafters - Christmas

Thanks for the visit!
Hugs!
Linda

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Bulking It Out

As I'm addressing
my Christmas cards, I am finding that...
  1. I didn't make nearly enough cards for family and friends
  2. The ones I have made are hugely embellished with flowers, trims, etc.
  3. Saving money by making my own is out the window because I have to put them in padded envelopes and pay higher postage
  4. That #3 above really doesn't matter because I love making something pretty for those I love
That all said, I've
decided to try an idea that I've seen some of you doing... make mail/postage friendly, flat cards in quantity... a la Amy. Now, my four little cards in no way can compete to Amy's amazing stack of 80. This gal can crank out cards like nobodies business and they're gorgeous to boot! So much talent!!! Nevertheless, I must say I am as happy as a lark to have these four completed in such a short time, but I just realized that I forgot to do the insides. Yikes!... back to the old craft mat and paper cutter! 


I used pre-made card
blanks with envelopes from Consumer Crafts to save more time. These I've teamed up with My Mind's Eye "All Is Bright" collection, Core'dinations Kraft cardstock, Vintage Photo Distress Ink, jute ribbon, and Prima Say It In Crystals. The Spellbinder's die is Labels One.


The image is my favorite
for this winter. You've seen this one numerous times in my posts... from Artistic Outpost "Midwinter". It's stamped in Jet Black Archival and glimmered up a bit with Glossy Accents and Twinklets Diamond Dust.
Today the plan is to
get some more addressing done, make a tag or two, wrap gifts... then make coffee and put my feet up. Want to join me? We could even sample a cookie or two!

Thanks for stopping by!
Hugs!
Linda

Monday, December 10, 2012

Christmas Cheer


First... a huge
Thank You to sweet Audrey for the surprise I received in the mail over the weekend!


When I saw this on
her blog here... I had know idea it was for me. I can tell you... I was SOooo thrilled when I opened the package...


and this beautiful
card came with it. Thank you so very much, dear Audrey... and you said it all... blogging buddies are the best!!!

Second... another card 
made by using up bits and bobs along with the beautiful My Mind's Eye All Is Bright collection.


I cut the Christmas 
Cheer border strip from one of the last scraps of my Graphics 45 Christmas Emporium. The jingle bell is from Consumer Crafts, the Shabby Wrinkled seam binding is from Prairie Bird Boutique and the red burlap string is May Arts.


The red sheer trim
is from May Arts, the pearl trim... Comsumer Crafts, the French Lace paper doily... Henny TJ's Boutique, and the red rhinestones are TPC Studio.


The MME chipboard piece 
was a little too red for my liking, so I did a bit of coloring and shading on it with Aged Mahogany Distress Ink and some edging with Antique Linen.

Thank you for dropping by today!
Hugs!
Linda

Friday, December 7, 2012

Peace

Thankfully I have another
Christmas card finished. The inspiration for this came from my friend, Tracy, who is one of the most talented, sweetest ladies I've meet since I've started blogging. Here is her tag that gave me the idea for my card...


I again used the
My Mind's Eye All Is Bright Christmas collection along with Recollections Kraft cardstock. I'm still not sure if I made the frames right, but I like the result.


My image is from the
Artistic Outpost Midwinter stamp set stamped in Jet Black Archival and embellished with Twinklets Diamond Dust (as were the Kraft frames) and edged with Antique Linen Distress Ink. The flowers are all from I Am Roses that were misted with Lindy's Stamp Gang Creme Brulee Cream Starburst Spray. The Shabby Wrinkled Seam Binding bow is topped with a Teresa Collins brad. The greenery was cut from Alterations Mini Holly and Tattered Pinecone dies. The clear rhinestone is by TPC Studio.


I'm linking my card to:
Crafting For All Seasons - Use Flowers
Fussy and Fancy - I Love Christmas
Great Impressions - Anything Goes
Jingle Belles - Anything Goes/Holiday
Ladybug Crafts - Christmas/Winter
Make It Monday - Anything Goes
Papertake Weekly - Anything Goes
The Cupcake Craftroom - Anything Goes/Christmas
Top Tip Tuesday - Christmas
Unique Crafters - Christmas

Thanks for stopping by today!
Hugs!
Linda

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Oh Holy Night

Hi dear friends...
I'm back to making cards today (and am hoping I made enough tags). That dynamic duo over at Jingle Belles, Lauren and Stephanie, are giving us one last opportunity to show off our Christmas cards and I wanted to join in on the fun. They're also giving us a chance to win a fabulous prize...


... and you have until Friday, December 21st.
Link up Here.

So... I have one ready to enter...


All from My Mind's Eye
All Is Bright collection with white and Pomegranate cardstock.


A French Lace paper 
doily from Hennytj's Boutique and Artisan Chipboard stars from Pink Paislee. These beautiful flowers are from I Am Roses. The "greens" were cut with Alterations Mini Holly and Tattered Pinecone dies. The rhinestones are by TPC Studio.


I want to take a minute
 to thank you all for the encouraging comments you've been leaving... I so appreciate them and your kindness! You girls are the best!

Thanks for the visit!
Hugs!
Linda

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

My Merry Christmas Mini


Last November I purchased
this journal kit from Tim Holtz Etsy shop...


 and it has had a home on a shelf in my craft room ever since. This Christmas season I promised myself I would put this thing together and actually fill in the pages. 
Hey, hey... I've started...


The kit, of course, didn't come
with any of the inks, so I got to chose whatever colors I wanted from my stash... which is quite extensive (I LOVE Ranger inks!!!)


Some of the handware
that came with the kit had the bronze finish, so I carried that color on to the knob and alphas using Rub 'n Buff.


I also put on a bronze
corner piece from my stash to make mine more of an original.


Now to decorate the 
pages and then actually do some journaling. Yikes... that's the hard part!!!

Thanks for stopping by!
Hugs!
Linda
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