Wishing you Joy and Peace

Wishing you Joy and Peace on this wonderful Christmas Day 

 Those who know me well know I have a Zillion allergies.  Poinsettias are one of them!  So, I do not usually have them in my home, but enjoy seeing them, hence I can color them and enjoy without sneezing!

 This image is called Holiday Poinsettia by Polka Dot Orchard.  It is a Digital image and they were printed and cut out individually using the Scan and Cut. 

  Tissue paper was wadded and placed on a sticky sheet, then inked over using red and metallic silver. 

Poinsettias were arranged around the center sentiment. A little Metallic silver for 'pop'.

Challenges: TBA

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly

A Merry and Blessed Christmas!

 #Jesus is the Reason for the Season.  This is where my Heart is today!!!  

Have a Wonderful Day!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly

December catch up!

We have been traveling a bit, so today, I wanted to take some time and catch up on some blog catch up!  I have been keeping up with Instagram, and post all cards to Splitcoaststampers as well. 

 Here are a few cards I have made recently:

 I made this for an Ugly Sweater CAS challenge. The background is a SSS stencil, the stamps from Your Next Stamp.

This was made for a Gold Star family (Have a son killed in action) and who had a house fire.  The family was recipients of cards from the Teapot Tuesday challenge at SCS.

The eagle image is from Coronado Stamps, and the pledge is Stampabilities. 

  

Finally, for a color challenge at SCS, I used Copic reinkers (colors to coordinate with the colors of the challenge) on glossy cardstock. I added an image from an image swap group I am in-colored using Wink of Stella and Copics. I added the torn music from the DP sent to us.  A few music notes finishes it off!

I hope there is Peace and Joy in your home as we all prepare for the birth of our Lord!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly

Jan's Digital Stamps Mid-month

Jan's Digital Stamps has a monthly challenge- we hope you will join us!  The DT is posting cards for a mid month blast!  I used a fun pre-colored image and made a Birthday card!

 I wanted use fall colors and just love this image!  

The Die is Memory Box and the 3D EF is SSS. 

The challenge Blog at Jan's is located HERE

Challenges: TBA

Thanks for stopping by! 

Shelly

Catching up

I have been running around and not keeping up on the blog!  I thought I'd add a few cards I have made this month:

 I have a friend or two that does not find joy in the Christmas Season : )  Fun card for them!  This image is by Polkadot Orchard- a digital image. 

This was for a No Stamps challenge- and I used a new die I bought at Hobby Lobby- Sizzix by Ranger/TH inspired.  The green layer has 5 layers of greens!  

A great Thanksgiving image and card.  I colored it using Copic markers. 

Challenges: TBA

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly

Jan's Digital Stamps- Winter Wishes

 New Release from Jan's and I had to go with the cardinal images!

 I so love birds- and Cardinals are a favorite!  This image from Jan's Digital Stamps is precolored. I die cut the border and it is stacked 3 times. I used Distress ink on the top layer . It is added to the DP and the holly added that were cut out using the Scan N Cut, also precolored by Jan. . 

We have a monthly challenge that is always Anything Goes- I hope you will come and join us! 

Challenges: TBA

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly

ATC or LTC using carved stamps

 I have joined the letterboxing community- and joined in a couple of ATC/LTC swaps recently.

 ATC= Artist Trading card  , LTC = Letterbox Trading card. Letterboxing is a fun challenge- like a scavenger hunt and the prize at the end is an image using the rubber stamp in the letterbox you find.  Info here- www.atlasquest.com

 

For the Flinstones swap, I carved Fred Bowling and names it Yabba Dabba Doo!  

The image is colored using Copics and on the background- Distress inks and stenciling used. The bowling ball and 3 pins are raised using dimensionals. The sentiment is computer generated. 

Here is the group of LTC's aka ATC's I made:

and Little Blue Dress for the Tulle swap. I carved the dress, fussy cut it out, colored using Copics and added the Tulle overskirt, and the gems and bow. The background is Distress inks, a stencil and a stamped text.

 

 My friend Sharon aka Foxy Stamper  posted a Scrapbook page about letterboxing, and I was curious and went all in!  It was not the first time she had posted about it, it simply caught my interest at that moment : )  

 I spent a couple of weeks in Colorado and enjoyed visiting my DS, DIL and GS.  My hubby left after a week and my DD1 and DD2 joined in the fun the 2nd weekend there.  I love the Colorado National Monument- the hiking is nice and the scenery beautiful!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly

Happy Birthday

 My friend has rec'd her Birthday card, so I will post it here.  

  I started with the prompt from the Alpha challenge at SCS V=Vellum. The vellum was die cut using a Memory Box stitched rectangle die.  I used a Stencil on the BG and added the vellum over that. The Memory Box fish were cut using stash Mixed Media pieces I had on hand, I used another Memory box circles die behind the fish. 

  I bet people with Fall Birthdays get cards from others with fall themes and Fall colors.  My friend lives near the Pacific Ocean and they have higher temps there still, so why not an ocean themed card!  

I keep the inside blank so she will be able to use it again if she so wishes!

Hope you enjoyed my ocean adventure today!

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly

Hey Ghoul! Polkadot Orchard Mid Month

I am posting a fun new Halloween digital image from PolkaDot Orchard today! 

This set is called Hey Ghoul.  I used Distress Inks on the background, and also stenciled using a stencil from Polka Dot Orchard.   I used a stencil called Kaleidoscope   using Distress inks, a black Copic marker and a shimmery texture paste. The green was added using Copic markers. I added sequins for accent. 

We have a new challenge on the Friends of Polka Dot Orchard Facebook page- hope you will come join us!

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly

I got into a fun cardmaking adventure making a Mixed Media card for Halloween.  I know who I will send this to- a loved one that enjoys celebrating Halloween. 

The image from Polkadot orchard is colored using Copics, I trimmed it and popped it up on the base panel. The sentiment-that comes with the set- I printed twice and cut out a few of the words and popped them up on the panel. 

I used Distress Oxide Inks on this cards background. I added a shimmery paste using a PolkaDot Orchard stencil.  I added Black splatters and also used a dk gray marker through the stencil . 

Challenges TBA

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly

A sweet October card

 I was in a Goodwill shop today, looking for white sheets to make (tomato cage) ghosts : )  and I found a great stamp set!  I bought the grab bag and donated the rest of the bag back...just wanted this one and one other HM stamp- both for $2.00. I came home (to our rental vacation airbnb) and I had to ink it up right away!

 The image is Stampabilities Tweet Treats for All. The sentiment is a digi from PolkaDot Orchard. I added Uni-ball white Signo paint pen on the leaves and the cheecks of the wizard- for an Alphabet challenge U=Uni-ball.  I colored the image using Copic markers.  I added color to the background cardstock using Distress inks. 

Challenges: 

House Mouse and Friends Monday Challenge- Fall or Anything goes

Critter Crazy challenges : AG with a critter

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly

Jan's Digital Stamps Mid-month Challenge

Jan has some beautiful releases this month, and I enjoyed creating this card using one of them.  

 This set is called Winter Snowbirds , and I know anyone that knows me is aware of how much I love birds!  The greenery is printed and was cut using the Scan n Cut- you can find winter greenery in a few of Jan's sets. The bows on my wreath are from the new set Banners and Bows. 

 Janes sets come in black/white and also Pre-colored.  I love to color, but Jan's coloring is so beautiful, I tend to use those images.  OR, I print out both, and use her shading as a guide to color the images myself. 

 I am out of town, and I wanted to share a flicking ink technique I saw a year or so ago.....  you can use your copic markers to flick ink- just take the end of the marker and flick it from the inside of the lid/cap and viola.  

Challenges: TBA

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly

I joined a swap this year for Techniques on cards.  I love techniques : )  I used a really fun image from Polka Dot Orchard for my Pop-up Box card. This digital image is called Happy Camper .

 This Pop-Up Box card is quick and easy tp put together. I found the instructions on a Pinterest link. The Images are fussy cut out of the full image and colored using Copic markers.  The DSP is (old retired) SU. I added a touch of sparkle on the moon and the stars. The tent is 2 layers and the 2nd added using dimensionals.  

 

This is the back of the card and where the message is written.  When you mail the card, it folds up and fits into an A2 envelope. \

 The image fits a slimline, which was my original thought for this card, but I had this technique swap to get completed, so went with this idea : )  

 Here in the Midwest, it is beautiful camping and campfire weather- except the temps in the AM are getting close to freezing!

Over on Facebook, there is a Facebook group called Friends of Polka Dot Orchard. We have a challenge going on now for Halloween cards- come join us!!!

Challenges-TBA

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly

Happy Howl-O-Ween

 Jan's Digital Stamps has some fun new releases for October. 

 I used this fun witch pup. He is making a potion so all you want to do is throw a ball to him or pet him non-stop!  LOL

 Jans images come black and white or precolored plus a few sentiments. This version in the precolored version. Jan's coloring is so beautiful I frequently use the precolored image. I also use Jan's coloring and shading as a guide to color in the black and white images. 

 There is a monthly challenge where the theme is always Anything Goes (AG).  We'd love for you to join us in the challenge. 

Challenges:TBA

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly

Thinking of You

Hi there!  I had a bit of time to create today, and used this image that was on my desk and Copic markers, and colored up a quick card!

This card uses version two this week using this image. 

Challenges: TBA

Thanks for stopping by! 

 Shelly

Hi frends!

I have been MIA recently due to some family struggles.  Mostly, helping out SIL who has cancer and is battling hard but is meeting obstacles!  Her doctor told her to consider Hospice, but she is not ready for that.  Thanks for your continued support as I have been not here lately and posting irradicably!  

 I took some time to color an image I have had on my desk for a while!  This image is called: Have Faith in His Love by Polka Dot Orchard. I was in the mood for soft subtle colors and my friends know I love pink and blue!!! 

  The image was colored using Copic Markers.  I added Crystal effects to the dragonflies and waterdrops on the lilly pads. I added touches of white gel pen and a bow of twine to finish the card. 

Challenges: TBA

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly

Thinking of You

 I finally had a chance to create yesterday, I have a stack of images and dies waiting for me on my desk : ) In memory of all who lost their lives on 9/11 and in remembrance too!

 I did some Copic Coloring, Added some stenciling and using Distress inks, created a background. 

Images My Favorite Thought by PolkaDot Orchard.  (and currently on sale)  The die is Gina Marie.

Challenges: TBA

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly

New Release Time @ Jan's Digital Stamps

 
New for September, Jan has Three sweet sets for Fall.  I love all three, but decided to use the Fresh From the Farm set.   All 3 sets are on sale for September too. 

 

 I used the precolored stamps and fussy cut them out. The background is embossed and highlighted with ink- white then Ruby Red. 

Stop by Jan's Digital Stamps and check out the new stamp sets. Fresh from the Farm,  Autumn Leaves,  and Mrs Teddy Bear are the three new sets and all are on sale for September. 

 At Jan's we have a monthly challenge- we'd love you to stop by and join in the challenge!

Shelly

Hugs for Diane

 I joined in a Tuesday Teapot challenge for my SIL before I left on vacation recently, and used more die cuts from the Be Bold Blooms Spellbinders die cut set. 

 I placed the flowers on an embossed background and added a sentiment. Viola-done!  I do not always make CAS cards, but I love this die set and will use it often! A Hero Arts sentiment and a corner rounder finishes off the card!

 My SIL is receiving and enjoying the cards!

Thanks for stopping by! 

Shelly

Jan's Digital Stamps Mid-month post

It's half way through August already- it's hard to believe!  It is so hot and humid here, we have been staying inside and trying to keep cool! What better way to keep cool than to create with a sweet crafty friend : )

 For the Mid-month of the challenge over at Jan's Digital Stamps, we get to create with her newest images.  

This fun set is called Crafty Friends (and it is on sale now)!

Jan's sets come pre-colored and in a black and white format as well.  I used the Pre-colored image here and die cut it, added DP, some banners and popped up a sentiment using foam tape.  The sequins add a little bling but should not affect the postage!

  My favorite wine is red wine : )  

The Challenges at Jan's are monthly- stop by and join your card in the Anything Goes challenge!

Challenges: TBA

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly

We have been having some family activities that are slowing down my ability to create.....  SO, posting some cards I was able to create this weekend : )  

The Teapot Tuesday exchange to each other was to think back of a fond memory- I have a zillion allergies, so don't do alot of gardening....  but, my Mother was a master gardener, and both of my sisters are as well!  Their yards and flowers are beautiful.  My husband does our flowers and gardening : )  

 I had to have this Spellbinders die set, and was on the waiting list for a bit before I finally got it.  It has many pieces, but I love it and all of the designing possibilities!  

 The sentiment is by Simon Says Stamps. 

  

This background technique is called retiform, and is a variation of the new technique posted at Splitcoaststampers.  I used Distress Inks.  Images are by SSS, aka Simon Says Stamps. 

Thanks for stopping by, hope you are well and crafting : )

Shelly

 

The Dare to Get Dirty challenge has posted all of the challenges, and we have until Friday the 29th to complete them.

Yoorah's challenge for things with wings. Image by Polkadot Orchard.  There are 1-2 birdhouses fussy cut and up on dimensionals per row..... Give me an Owl or a Blue bird to make my heart flutter!!!  In this case, the bluebird and houses were colored with Copic markers. 

 

Asweetjewel asked for a sweet card plus jewels- this wedding card is sweet plus has pearl gems on it. This fun image is a digi at Angie Blom.

This wedding card is for Ceal's challenge to make a card for a special holiday or occasion. This image is precolored and is from Jans Digital Stamps. 

 It will be another busy week, so I hope to get a few more cards completed for DTGD!  As I mentioned, the deadline is Friday night!

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly

Believe!

Do you Believe???

 This new Christmas stamp available at Jans Digital Stamps is called Believe (and it is on sale right now too ).  Jan's images come in B/W and pre-colored, and this is pre-colored.

  I got into a bit of a Mixed Media mood and know already who will be getting this Christmas card! LOL  

 Jan's also sponsors a monthly challenge, which is always Anything Goes. Come join us!

*Check out the shop for Jan's Yearly Christmas image that is her gift to you- it's free : )

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly

DTGT day 1

It's that time of the year at Splitcoast- time for Dare to Get Dirty , aka DTGD

I made cards for a few of the challenges today

The first challenge is a type of crayon resist.  I used gold metallic crayon.  I made this for a swap in the AboutOrientalArt challenge group for a card and a bookmark. I really love how this came out- the gold is shimmery IRL!

The 2nd challenge was an inspiration challenge- complete with a birds nest.... I ran with that and all of the colors listed with added green.....  

 I am going to enter this, last minute, in the House Mouse and Friends Summer challenge : )  We have been seeing alot of finches in the backyard- red and yellow, so made this bird a finch : )

  I am entering this in the House Mouse and Friends Monday challenge- Summer or AG

Next is Ann's challenge for watercolor backgrounds. 

I kinda overworked my watercolors- I still love this card!  The die cuts all Cheery Lynn Designs.  The sentiment TH sentiment strips. The greenery dies are CC designs. 

Finally, my challenge is a shaker using a cello bag and sequins.  I love how easy these cards are- so fun!

Image is Unity- colored using Copics. 

and 

Using a Dieversions diecut nativity set. 

Pop on over to Splitcoaststampers- the Dare to Get Dirty challenge is open to EVERYONE this year!  It is the 15th Anniversary- lots of fun prizes to be won!!!

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly

Winnie the Pooh Blog Hop

Are you seeing the most darling images of Winnie the Pooh lately???  I am just loving them!  I decided to hop on to a Winnie the Pooh Blog Hop : )   

 The Blog Hop was the brainchild of Crystal Minkler, her blog is Tawny Owl Paperie. SHe is a Blogger, a You Tuber and she is also on Instagram @crystalominkler

 

 You should be arriving from Nedra's post

I loved this sweet beach Winnie!  No Bothers : )  Beach ready- I am about as beach ready as Winnie here : )   This image is from a digital set from Polka Dot Orchard digi stamps called Summer and Hunny. 

I used Distress Oxide inks and did some masking and some stenciling and colored using Copic markers. 

From daytime to night, I just love this image and sentiment too. This set is also from Polka Dot Orchard and is a digital stamp set. This set is called My Favorite Thought 

 I know the colors are not exactly the same, but I like the way this came out,  The image was die cut and I used a Gina Marie die for the sky.  I cut out extra silver shimmery stars and added them to the background . I just love the sentiment too. 

 Nothing better than summer with beach days when the sun is out and starry skies when the sun goes down!

The next stop on this hop is Rebekah's Blog

If you get lost, check back to Crystals Blog Here: https://crystalominkler.blogspot.com/2022/07/winnie-pooh-social-media-hop.html

#winniethepoohhop The hop is on Blogger and also there is an entire set of creative folks on Instagram posting images as well. That hop begins at @crystalominkler

****I have a stencil set to give away to one blog hopper- its the cloud stencil I used in the first card which is from A Colorful Life. It will be a random draw from anyone who leaves a comment on my post- stating, " I love that cloud stencil and would love to have it:!!! I will also include a $5.00 gift card to Polka Dot Orchard digital stamps- which is the sale price of the Pooh images in her store presently!

Enjoy the Hop!

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly

The Golfer

 There is a weekly challenge I participate in called Teapot Tuesday.  We send cards to people who need encouragement, aka going through rough times. This week, we are sending cards to Nick, who has just been diagnosed with lymphoma. He is a golfer and loves to camp.  

 This fun image is from Whipper Snapper, and I have used it a couple of times for masculine cards for Teapot Tuesday.  The sentiment is by Simon Says Stamps, aka SSS. We were also asked to include an arch or 1/2 circle on our cards, hence, my embossed half circles. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly

"Heat Set'

Our Alpha challenge round 17 H= Heat Set. My heat setting is for embossing powder.

   A sympathy card for a young life lost in a terrible car accident.  The image has just a small amount of coloring added with yellow accents for the flower centers. A hug in a card : )  The image is by Technique Junkies. 

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly

New Grad Nurse

Oh when I was a new grad nurse, I made $6.12 an hour!  And, we dressed in white uniforms and wore our nursing caps. 

 This image made me chuckle and took me back to those days!  I wore a dress most of the time and we always wore out caps too.  

 After a number of years working in the Surgical ICU, this sentiment made me laugh- I have administered quite a few doses of Morphine to patients having high pain!  

 The background was a RAK using Shaving cream and Brusho's.  I embossed it and layered the sentiment and image- used some twine at the top. It needed something to ground my nurse image, so added a strip of DP and a touch of thin shimmery Washi tape. 

Challenges: TBA

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly

Christmas in July

 I got a package in the mail today with a prize from being chosen as a winner for the Color Challenge 900 party at Splitcoaststampers. Wahoo-thanks LeeAnn, aka Stampin Tornado.  

 I used the die cut and the Thanks sentiment from the set LeeAnn sent- Artistically Inspired. I used a 3D EF from SU (retired) and added a highlight to the raised areas using a Copic marker.  

 The die was cut out twice, and the lower later is Mossy Meadow- I think....  Its a dark green cardstock.  Next, I die cut the Pink nd cut off the greenery.  I die cut a couple of the bits in blue for the challenge. 

 I added some glittery green dots I had sitting on my desk and called it done.

 It was like Christmas here today!  I am so thankful to my Alpha sisters- they were on a Zoom and all gun-ho to do the 6 cards for the Color challenge party.  I am not sure if I would have done the challenges without their inspiration and encouragement!  (There is an Alphabet challenge at Splitcoast- the ladies that do this challenge are my Alpha sisters). 

Challenges: TBA

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly

Crafters of Faith July 2022

The Crafters of Faith challenge at Splitcoaststampers Hostess for July is Jeanette (aka Avatar- Forest Ranger) :  Ecclesiastes 3:11a He has made everything beautiful in its time.
Challenge: In this month of July, create a card that shows something that is beautiful in/about the summer months. The second part of the verse says "He has put eternity into man's heart" so it would be wonderful if you would also include a heart on your card.

 I found this image in a thrift store... I bought it, stamped it then re-donated it. The proceeds from this thrift store go to literacy and reading for kids!  Plus, I did not have much room in my suitcase!

The image is Sweet Visit by Penny Black. 

I began bird watching when my mother lived with me.  She had dementia.  A friend who was also a caregiver and I started going for walks with her. She was a caregiver for her husband- he had amyloidosis of his heart and is the longest surviving patient in the world with this condition.  He has passed and my mother has passed. But, I continue to look for the birds and love their beauty and the memories they bring to mind are of God's creatures.  They have always been here- even when I was not looking for them. 

 I added a heart I punched out, and when I stenciled the sky using The Colorful Life clouds stencil, I added a couple of hearts in the sky as well.

  

Challenges TBA

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly

 I have a Teapot Tuesday card to complete, so I went to work and used a Unity Owl that I have not previously used and stamped it in 2 different colors using the DP for color inspiration. 

Using the Sketch challenge at Splitcoaststampers for inspiration, I used the owl DP in the backgrounds and fussy cut the owls and then added a sentiment from Hero Arts and embellishments. 

This card is for the Teapoit challenge which is a Tic-Tac-Toe challenge.  I used Bird, Scoring and ribbon.  I stamped the Unity image in So Saffron ink, I scored the So Saffron cardstock edging around the edges, and added a touch of ribbon as a perch for the bird. 

For this card, I used the image and stamped in blue. I used a SU punch for the leaves and used paper tearing for the branch.  I used the Splitcoaststampers sketch 912 for the backing, and added the branch and leaves. 

This card will go postal tomorrow to another Teapotter at SCS.  

Thanks for stopping by!

Shelly